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Old friends by M. Davinroy
Our friend Mike Davinroy, '64, (shown below) tells of a visit to Fullerton he made yesterday. June 13, 2013.

 

Mike writes:

Wednesday afternoon I had a meeting at Fullerton Police Department.  I got into Fullerton early and was driving around the west side, looking at my old houses, watering holes, church, and the stuff I saw when I was a kid.  I was driving down Basque past the Village Market, remembering one of the many days when we would walk that street on our way to SHHS in the early 60s. 

Whenever I would walk with Earnie Redfearn ('62), often as we passed the house of Mickey ('62), Tommie ('63) and Aaron McGuire ('64), Earnie would shout, “We choose off ALL the McGuires !”   

Of course, the mere thought of anyone doing such a thing was sheer lunacy – the McGuires were good guys, but certainly not the type who anyone in their right mind would want to fight. 

I had classes and played sports with Aaron and Tommie, and got to know Mickey well because he worked in Tomorrowland and I worked with his dad,  Vince, in Frontierland.  For a carton of cigarettes every week, Mickey took me (and often Vickie Snapp, '63, who worked with Mickey in Tomorrowland) to and from Disneyland every day during the summer months until I got my own car. 

(For those who remember, it was an immaculate bronze and white 57 Chev, with a 409 engine and of course – four on the floor.) 

About a year ago, Ron Johnson, '63,  (who lived next door to the McGuires while growing up) told me that Mickey still lived in the same house where he grew up.  During the 20 years I was a cop, I knew the McGuires lived there until they moved back to Oklahoma – but didn’t have any idea Mickey might still live there.  

Well, to keep a long story long, since I had thirty minutes to kill yesterday, I pulled into the driveway and knocked on the door.  A pretty young girl of about 15 answered the door and gave me --  a total stranger -- a pretty strange look.  I realized that time had probably marched on.

Feeling  embarrassed, I told the young girl that I was just looking for an old friend.  She asked me who I was looking for and I told her his name was Mickey McGuire and that he used to live there.  The girl turned and yelled, “Mickey, someone’s here to see you…”  

It would be a stretch to say Mickey hadn’t changed a bit.  But he looked really great.  He invited me in and in a few moments we realized we hadn’t seen each other since the month about 35 years ago when I applied for the FBI. 

Mickey has stayed very active.  He is retired, but goes fishing and plays golf often.  We chatted about his folks (who passed away back in their beloved Oklahoma many years ago) and mutual friends from high school.  Mickey still stays in touch with Mike ('63) and Pat O’Brien ('62).   

He said he is looking forward to future golf outings in memory of his friend Jimmy Steele, '62.   I know Wayne Redfearn, '65 still reads the SPOON, Paul, and Wayne can tell Earnie that Mickey McGuire is NOT looking to take him up on the 1960 vintage challenge to fight. 

Mickey has lived in the same house since his family moved there in 1956.  I would bet none of our SPOON readers have lived in their house longer.  Mickey can still be seen several times each week, sneaking around Laguna Lake – rod in hand during the morning hours.

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Don Martin, '64 on June 16, 2013 at 5:28 PM said:

The Basque Tract Boys would give the Pacific Drive gang a run for their money:

Aaron and Mickey McGuire
Don Martin
Carl Hildebrand
Ricky Markman

to name a few . . . I remember every summer day as kids, we would all meet at Adlena Park in the morning and play Over-the-Line until we had to go home for dinner. In between games we would walk or ride bikes to the Village Market, get a big coke and some baseball cards and spend a few hours debating who was the best baseball player of all time. Aaron always picked Hank Aaron and I went with Mickey Mantle.

"Those were the days, my friends!"
Tom Everly, '65 on June 16, 2013 at 5:26 PM said:

One of my best baseball memories, is taking Steve Busby downtown in his own field, at Fullerton.
I was a senior and he was a soph. just starting out. It was an early season non-league game and I was leading off. I was late on his overpowering fastball and luckily there was a really short right field fence at the old Fullerton field, and the ball went out for a homer. I doubled later in the game, but, unfortunately, we ended up losing.

As a side note.......Coach Barr had a policy of playing seniors. Good juniors and sophomores had to wait their turn and play JV or frosh-soph. As a soph. & jr. I played with some really great players, Bob Robbins, Rick Raczka, Larry McDuff, Artie Salcido, Bill Purvis, Terry Hackett, Wayne Redfearn, etc.. We not only won the 2 lower div. leagues but we would dominate the varsity in practice games. Stlll, Coach Barr wouldn't bring anyone up because of his seniors only policy. Unfortunately, when we all became seniors and were now facing top quality pitching every day we, as did other varsity teams before us, didn't fare too well in league.
Paul Saevig, '67 on June 16, 2013 at 5:24 PM said:

I think the boys of Pacific Drive Elementary School in the 1950s and 1960s would make the best baseball team of any area in Fullerton:

Gary Carter*
Gordon Carter* (Starter on NCAA Division 1 Championship Teams)
Mike Staffieri (2-time NCAA Division I All American shortstop at BYU)
Rick Raczka* (twice USC NCAA Division I champs)
Terry Hackett, Wayne Redfearn, Ken Slezak, Art Salcido, etc.

• Would take Steve Busby DOWNTOWN. --- Paul
Tom Everly, '65 on June 16, 2013 at 5:21 PM said:

I, too, was a neighbor of Mickey, Tommy & Aaron. I lived about 8 houses down Basque, at 319.
As a young athlete back in the 50's, the McGuires were my "heroes". We'd spend every afternoon and weekend playing ball at Adlena Park, across the street from the Duncansons with my friends, Mike Lawson, Dickie Prince, Mike Frost, Jerry Helton, Bobby Bean, Dan Eberhart, Cardon Kelly, Don Martin, and the rest of the "Basque Tract" kids. I haven't seen or heard from any of my old friends who, with me, attended, Ford School, Golden Hill, Fern Drive, Wilshire and SHHS in over 40 yrs.. Hope all are well.
You're right, you didn't mess with the McGuires.
Earnie Redfearn, '62 on June 13, 2013 at 2:25 PM said:

Thanks Mike those were great memories. I was young and foolish to ever think I could stand up to the McGuires. I remember seeing thier Dad and Mr. Davis hit golf balls at Pacific Drive school and marveled at their athletic abilities. I have seen Mickey at the Fudruckers golf and he is still impresive. What a great family and athletes. Really miss the good old days. I am in Park City Utah golfing and skiing. Enjoying my kids and grandkids. you can contact me at luv2golftuhaye@gmail.com.
Wayne Redfearn, '65 on June 13, 2013 at 2:02 PM said:

Mike,
thanks for the message.. great memories. Mr. McGuire was my PE coach at Nicolas Jr. High. His boys got their athletic prowess from him.. he was a stud. The McGuire Bros were my athletic heros as a kid growing up in Fullerton along with the Duncansons and Carl Hilterbrand.
Saw Aaron and Mickey at golf tourney at Dad Miller golf course in Anaheim. The looked great and it was nice to see them.
Earnie will get a kick out of your comments.. he hasn't changed.. still the practical joker he always was.
Fullerton was a great place to grow up.. we were lucky kids

Best to you.
Wayne
Mike Davinroy, '64 on June 13, 2013 at 1:59 PM said:

Barb, everyone knew Dale, he was a great guy. Our family was good friends with all of the O'Brien clan. Nice hearing from you.
Barb Smith Whitfield, '67 on June 13, 2013 at 11:38 AM said:

What a great walk down memory lane. You probably knew my brother, Dale,since we lived close to you on Basque and my cousin Craig Smith also lived on Basque. Patty was my friend along with Mary Lou O'Brien from Pacific Drive through Sunny Hills. Boy has the old neighborhood changed over the years! When I visit Fullerton I always drive by our house. Fun to see the changes people have made. You are looking great. Say hello to Patty for me.

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