Mary Josephine (Jo) Bobillot, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed on to our lord on December 14, 2021.

Mary was born February 13, 1935 in Pomona to Luella and Percy Blackwell. She had six sisters and one brother. The family eventually moved to Oregon City where Mary attended school. Mary met the love of her life, Antone (Tony) Bobillot, while attending Oregon City High School as a sophomore in 1951. Tony was a fun and exciting young man and would cruise by her house on his motorcycle trying to get her attention, which he did. They were married October 20, 1951.

Tony was soon drafted into the Army and was sent to boot camp stationed at Fort Ord. Mary and her mother moved to Fort Ord area to be with Tony, where they stayed on until Tony was honorably discharged due to a foot injury. Mary and Tony moved back to Oregon and started their life together. One day Tony had a bad day when he wrecked his plane and motorcycle on the same day.

Mary and Tony then decided to move to Humboldt County. With a job lined up working in the timber industry, they packed up a borrowed cattle truck with their belongings and their baby girl, Antoinette. They lived in Arcata for a short time then moved to Fieldbrook, where they lived for many years. Mary had three additional children — Alan, David and Andy.

Mary was a devoted homemaker making many friends in the little town. Mary was very active in Fieldbrook Grange, community church and the PTA. Mary took a job at Fieldbrook School working as a teacher’s aide and eventually became the school secretary where she helped many teachers and kids along the way. Mary kept the family home going and the Bobillot’s house was always the meeting place for many kids and friends over the years. There was always extra food around for anyone who needed a meal.

In the early days of living in Fieldbrook, Mary and Tony maintained the Volunteer Fire Department’s fire trucks in their garage until a new Fire Department was built next to the Fieldbrook store.

Mary and Tony always had a big garden and beautiful flower beds. Gardening together was a great joy in their life.

Mary’s love of her life, Tony, passed away in 1981. Mary retired from Fieldbrook School after 30 years and moved to Arcata, where she lived until 2018. Mary became very active in her community. Working with the county supervisors, she spearheaded the successful PTA Campaign to rid the Manila area of abandoned vehicles littering vacant lots, roadsides and riverbanks and also a tepee burner from an abandoned mill. In total, Mary and her team removed more than 350 car bodies. The site is now home to Manila Park.

Mary continued her work with the community. She was the treasurer and exhibit chairwoman for Friends of the Arcata Marsh. Mary loved painting scenic views and birds at the marsh where you could find her on sunny days. Some of her paintings have been featured in many art galleries in the Humboldt area. Mary absolutely loved gardening. People in the neighborhood would come by to see her garden and pick up a potted plant. Mary loved the water and took up scuba diving with her oldest son at the age of 52.

She also got involved with the Kinetic Sculpture races. Her good friend, Hobart Brown, built the Calistoga Kinetic Delivery Truck with which Mary and her team completed the race in 1990.

Mary was a proud member of the Scottish Heritage Association and loved attending their dinners and events. Mary enjoyed dancing and having parties. Halloween was one of her favorite holidays and she would always have a pre-party at her house to kick of the evening events.

Mary moved from Arcata to live next to her oldest son Alan and his wife Shawna in the summer of 2018. She joined the Eureka Elks Emblem Club and was also a member of Eastern Star at the Arcata Masonic Lodge. Mary often danced the night away at the Eureka Elks Lodge with family and friends. Mary kept up her love for gardening at her new home in Eureka, you could find her in her garden every sunny day.

Mary loved her family and would have dinner parties whenever she could. She loved having her great grandchildren over to play and have fun. Mary lived a full and happy life surrounded by many friends and her large family.

Mary passed away of natural causes surrounded by her loving family on December 14, 2021.

Mary is survived by her children, Antoinette Pacheco of Willow Creek, Alan Bobillot (Shawna) of Eureka, David Bobillot (Jodi) of Ogden, Utah, and Andy Bobillot (Shannon) of Riddle, Oregon; her grandchildren, Jonelle Caldwell, Nicki Wilson, David Bobillot, Nicole Pacheco, Brad Wilson, Michael Bobillot, Natalie Pacheco, Stefon Mendez, Alex Bobillot, and Daniel Bobillot, Nick Harless, Hillarie Beyer, Travis Harless and great-grandchildren, Jenicee, Allyana, Jayden, Nettle, Malia, Preston, Maiah, Willow, Braeden, Hudson, Willow, Acacia, Adam, Talia, Marlowe and Cole as well as many, many other loving family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eureka Elks Lodge on April 30, 2022 at 1 p.m.

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Louis Gene Duncan Jr. was born October 23, 1957 and passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 29, 2022 sitting at the table he made for his children and grandchildren; doing what he loved most, whittling a bow. Louie spent most of his 64 years working as a logger and fisherman. He was a hardworking man, when he was in the woods logging he was in his element. He loved his family and helped so many around him, so their lives may be a little more comfortable. He would see the ones who needed help the most and be there without even being asked.

His favorite thing besides logging and cutting big trees was being on the river netting salmon. He loved to fish, he loved to hunt, looking for agates, picking berries and gathering wild mushrooms. Louie was most at peace rowing his canoe up Little River.

He loved the sound of his chainsaw and the crack of the wood beneath his ax, he loved big fires but the thing that brought the biggest smile to his face was the strength of his children and the love they had for him.

Louie had his own set of rules, being very respectful of his elders and a protector to any child he encountered. His strength was that of a superhero and he was just that to many. He was a special man and made a positive impact on the lives of the people who knew him, loved him and those who were lucky enough to call him a friend. Our community lost an icon as he was loved, respected and admired by many.

Louis Gene Duncan Jr. was preceded in death by his mother Eva Duncan and son Louis D. Duncan.

Louis was survived by his father Louis Gene Duncan Sr., his siblings Sherry (Ken) King, Lois (Gary) O’Neil, Sandra Quinn, Louise Duncan and Dwayne (Ellen) Duncan. His life partner of 22 yrs Shelly Luna and her children; Anthony, Audrea and Symophony. His daughters; Darcey (Raggs) Duncan, Kasee Duncan and Selena Duncan. His grandchildren Rain, BuddyLee, Neveah, Riley, Alexis, Jordyn, Chase, Thomas, Sophia and Gabriella. Nephews Rob and Ryan Thompson, Ronnie O’Neil, David Lara, Raymond and Melvin Coffer and Dwyane ‘Bear’ Duncan. Nieces Dena Lara, Callie Duncan and Natascha King. Great nephews Theron, Tyler, Jace, Colby, Hunter, Thomas, Bryan, Jimi, Earl and Alonzo. Great nieces Zoe, Sophia, Ashley, Raina, Anita, Mariah, Koah, Aceland, Eva and Leilani. And many more extended family members and life long friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 19 at Perigot Park in Blue Lake at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make donations to Captain Shellyfish Academy. My father was Shelly’s biggest supporter and was very proud of her nonprofit organization to support a new generation of young fisherman.

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In loving memory of Maria Dos Anjos Silveira, born September 2, 1948 in Sao Jorge, Acores. She migrated to Humboldt County in 1971, and married the love of her life, Emanuel Silveira.

Maria passed away on February 5 at home surrounded by family and on her own terms.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel Carvalho and Maria Dos Anjos Pachecho.

She is survived by her brother, Geronimo Carvalho, husband of 50 years Emanuel Silveira, her three children Nuel, Iria, and Lucy Silveira, her seven grandchildren Emmanuel, Eziekiel, Alexxia, Emilio, Antwone, Alia and Maria, and two great-grandchildren Oakley and Nayvee.

Maria was a feisty, strong and proud woman. She was selfless, giving and the best mother and wife anyone could ask for. She loved being a wife and mother. She was the happiest in the kitchen, cooking and caring for her family. She was well known for her Portuguese sweet bread and cake. Maria will be missed by everyone she touched. She was the center of the family and was always wanting to feed you. No one ever left her house without a full belly or without food to take home.

Gone is a mother loved by all
Her soul is now at rest.
She’ll sleep in peace – her work is done.
A mother’s work – the best.
She’ll know the joy of perfect rest
In heaven up above
Where she may dwell contentedly
Protected by God’s love.
Our hearts may grieve that she must lie
Beneath the sacred sod
And yet we know she lives in peace
Within the house of God.

A viewing will be held at Paul’s Chapel Arcata on Friday, February 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and mass on Saturday February 12, at 10 a.m. This will be followed by graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Arcata.

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Donald “Don” Kay Rassbach, passed away at the age of 83 on January 5, 2022 in Fortuna. Don was a loving father, husband and friend.

Don grew up in Arcata and started playing baseball and bowling at an early age. Don attended Stewart School and Arcata High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Patsy Brim Rassbach. After graduating high school in 1959, Don and Patsy went on to marry and have two children, Tammy Rassbach Goff and Troy Rassbach.

Don bowled professionally with the Professional Bowlers Association in the early 1960s through mid-1970s. Don also coached Little League and Babe Ruth youth baseball through the 1970s and 1980, winning many local championships. Don also worked for Louisiana Pacific Particle Plant and retired after 40 years.

Don’s two favorite pastimes were fishing the rivers of Humboldt County and playing poker. Don and Patsy opened several card rooms around the Humboldt area. In the card rooms, he was known as the “Colonel.” For many years, Don could be found fishing the rivers or playing Texas Hold ‘em at the casino.

Don was kind, smart, fun and loved his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Don was predeceased by his wife, Patsy in 2011 and his parents Earl Rassbach in 1995 and Katherine Rassbach in 1999. Don is survived by his daughter Tamara Goff of Fortuna, son Troy Rassbach of Arcata and granddaughter Kimber Rassbach if Arkansas.

Friends and family are invited to attend services at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata at 12 p.m. and burial services at Oceanview Cemetery at 2 p.m. on February 15, 2022.

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A simulation of wave propagation in the Pacific caused by the Tonga eruption. | NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a simulation of last month’s tsunami that triggered warnings in Humboldt County and around the Pacific.

The “tsunami propagation” animation, put together by the Tsunami Research NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, shows tsunami waves and ocean disruption produced by the massive volcanic eruption on the uninhabited South Pacific island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai on January 15.

Jonathan Garner, senior meteorologist with Eureka’s National Weather Service office, told the Outpost that NOAA created the animation using the Method of Splitting Tsunami numerical simulation model — used by researchers to effectively study tsunami behavior and make long-term predictions.

“This is the tsunami movement away from the [volcano] on Jan. 15,” Garner said of the simulation.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai was blown apart by the powerful eruption. | NASA

While NASA’s Earth Observatory reported that the eruption was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, few deaths have been reported as a result of the blast and ensuing tsunami.

The eruption seen from space. | NASA

“This is a preliminary estimate, but we think the amount of energy released by the eruption was equivalent to somewhere between 4 to 18 megatons of TNT,” said Jim Garvin, Chief Scientist of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “

The Jan. 15 blast produced tsunami waves less than a foot high in Humboldt County. Crescent City, meanwhile, saw tsunami waves as high as 3.7 feet — the second largest tsunami waves measured in the contiguous U.S. that day.

Emergency personnel are currently on the scene of a serious incident that happened within the last hour on Spear Avenue between Alliance and West End Road in Arcata in which a bicyclist was struck by collided with a vehicle.

APD Sgt. Chris Ortega tells the Outpost that the bicyclist sustained major injuries and that they’ve been taken to the hospital by ambulance.

The stretch of Spear where the collision occurred is currently closed to traffic. 

Three years ago on this very date, locals staged a one-sided snowball assault against the late statue of William McKinley in the middle of the Arcata Plaza.

For those keeping score, today in coastal Humboldt temperatures reached a high of around 70 degrees.