Joaquin Enrique Acosta Jr., 74, died May 3 at the Saratoga Retirement Community from Alzheimer's disease.

Born in Los Angeles in 1929, Acosta was an accomplished classical pianist. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict in 1951 and later went on to earn a master's degree in education administration. Acosta was awarded the Pepperdine Dolores Award for his "Outstanding Contribution to Education" in 1968.

For the last 20 years of his life he worked as a lobbyist for environmental issues before moving to Saratoga to be close to his oldest daughter.

Survivors include seven daughters, three sons and 15 grandchildren. A funeral mass was held at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Southern California.

William 'Bill' D'Arezzo

California native William "Bill" D'Arezzo, 70, of Saratoga died of cancer June 3.

D'Arezzo served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean conflict. When he returned, he excelled in the grocery business and owned numerous supermarkets in Northern California. He opened the first Food 4 Less in Western America, and he retired in 1984.

D'Arezzo is survived by his wife, Wanda, daughter and son-in-law Terri and Rocky Angen, son and daughter-in-law David and Joan D'Arezzo, grandchildren Kurt Angen, Gina D'Arezzo, Linda D'Arezzo and Patricia D'Arezzo and brothers Buddy, Dick and Bob. He is predeceased by grandson Brian Angen.

Funeral services were held June 8 at the Church of the Ascension.