SIR is a non-profit organization of active men from all walks of life including business, science, engineering, medicine and education. At Br 32 our sole purpose is to bring together individuals with common backgrounds and interests to participate in well organized and well run indoor and outdoor activities and special events. Participating in these activities and events lead to strong social bonds amongst our members.
We have no dues and we do not do fund raising. We are not political or religious. Most of us joined because we needed new ways to be involved in society prior to or after retirement, and found in SIR new contacts and friends that share our interests. Wives love that we have joined.
Currently our branch has 164 members from all areas of the valley. We meet for lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. The lunch is at the Three Flames on Meridian in San Jose. It consists of a social hour, some reporting, lunch and a speaker for about 45 minutes. Past speakers have been a trust/estate attorney, world renowned photographer, San Jose Police Department helicopter pilot, armed forces veterans etc. The speakers are a major draw for our members in addition to member participation in our activities.
We have multiple activities reflecting the interests of the organization. Our activities include: Golf, Pool, Hiking, Bocce, Cards, Biking, Wine Tasting, Travel and more are possible if the interest is there. Many of our activities can include non-members, so wives or partners are able to participate.
We are interested in you, and hope you are interested in joining us. In that regard, you are invited to join us for a free lunch and introductory visit, which we will arrange when we speak with you. To learn more about our BR 32 specifically, or SIR in general, visit the websites
Please contact one of our people for additional information.
Bob Grandey, Recruiting Chairman, 408-439-4521 / bobgrandey@yahoo.com
Larry Hallinan, Director, 408-391-5043 / larogato@comcast.net
Message from Br 32 Big Sir
Wes Howard
January 2025
SIRS, Welcome to 2025!
I would like to wish you and your families a very Happy
New Year! My wife and I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season, and are excited and ready for an
active, fun-filled 2025. Branch 32 membership has exploded with new
members and activities, giving us all a chance for new friendships and activities to make 2025
even better.
We all need to give a big thank you to Jim LeBlanc and his entire Christmas Luncheon Planning Committee for an amazing celebration lunch. For all those that attended you made for a most joyful and wonderful experience. I feel this was one of our best Christmas luncheons, and I loved all the beautiful and colorful holiday sweaters.
Be sure to look at some of the photos in this newsletter and more on our website!
As your new Big SIR, I’d like to thank you for all your support, and I will do my best to work with our Branch leadership to continue the very positive trends, growth in membership, and activities that we experienced this past year.
A big thank you to last year’s Big SIR, Tony Mazzucco for all his outstanding leadership and guidance! With our membership exceeding 150, I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know every one of you over this next year
Our luncheon attendance has continued to be strong and regularly exceeding 100 attendees. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with any concerns, suggestions, comments, or ideas on ways to continue to improve our activities and fellowship. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2025 will bring for our Branch, including some new activities, along with a continued line-up of interesting and helpful luncheon speakers and topics.
We’ll be looking for additional help from some of you to help organize and lead some of the new activities. It takes everyone to keep our Branch active and vibrant, with more opportunities for participation, friendship, and attracting new
members. You all have done a fabulous job inviting friends and guests, many of whom have decided to join our Branch. Please continue doing so in 2025!
Branch 32 is known as the “Friendly Branch”, and it’s because of our
outstanding members that we can be proud of that reputation. I look forward to serving you this year.
Thank you,
Wes Howard
BR 32 Big SIR
New Inductees:
Bill Hawk, RJ Beske, Phil Bergeron, Robert Telesco (pictured above), and Dennis Uram (not pictured) were inducted at the January 2025 Lunch. Welcome all to SIR.
January 15 Lunch Speaker
Topic: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s; the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer’s Association resources.
Bio: Vanessa Souza, LCSW
Vanessa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a focus on supporting older adults. She has a particular interest in ensuring people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and their family and friends have the knowledge needed to prepare for the future.
She has worked as an assisted living administrator, memory care director, and as a social worker in adult day healthcare. Today, she works as the Senior Manager for Community Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Seattle University and a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.
SIR Friday Golf at Spring Valley
Like the Postman, BR 32 golfers play in almost all conditions: Rick Hausman shooting into the fog, Don Erbe in the cart providing limited guidance.
2025 Officers and Directors Installed
Left to Right: Wes Howard, Nick Jize, Paul Gardner, Mike Bishop, John Caldwell, Darrel Gray, John Pfanhl, Doug Krause, Larry Hallinan, Jim leBlanc, Jim Caratozzolo, and kneeling, Tony Mazzucco. Installed by Bob Grandey, past Big SIR and Area Govenor (Far Right)
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