Glen Leland Traganza

Glen Leland Traganza, 92, of Oak Harbor died May 26, 2012. He was born on his father’s birthday, January 4, 1920, in Sacramento, Calif to Phillip and Irene Traganza. His earliest years were spent on the family farm near Knights Landing Calif. His family moved to Auburn in the Sierra Nevada foothills when he was seven. After graduation from Placer Union High School he went on to Placer Junior College where he completed a course of commercial studies in 1940.

Glen began work for the Western Electric Company in San Francisco in 1942, a career that would continue until his retirement in 1982. In August of 1942 he entered active service in the Army. He served with the Signal Service in Europe from November 1944 until February 1946 including service in Germany with the 354th Fighter Group.

After military service Glen returned to work at Western Electric in the Bay Area, installing central office equipment. In January of 1949 he married Winifred Rachel and they settled in Oakland, Calif. They were blessed and surprised later that year when expecting one child, they became parents of twins. Glen took an active role in caring for the tiny babies. Photos from that time show him to be a delighted and proud father.

In 1950 the family moved to Sacramento where Glen continued work in telecommunications. He was an excellent electrician and became known for his meticulous work. Time away from work was devoted to his family, filled with camping trips throughout California, picnics, and visits to extended family. The family was active in church where Glen was always willing to serve in building improvements and repairs.

Retiring in 1982, Glen volunteered with Telephone Pioneers of America, repairing tape recorders and other devices used by visually impaired individuals. He later volunteered with the food bank provided by his church. He and Winnie moved to the Auburn area in 1987 and continued to travel and spend time with family and friends. In 2004 they moved to Oak Harbor, Wash, to be near a daughter. Glen loved the beauty of the Northwest where any errand that took him across the Deception Pass Bridge was a great pleasure.

Glen is survived by his faithful wife of 63 years, Winifred, his twins, Phyllis Foster (Stan) of Layton, Utah and Charles Traganza (Elizabeth) of Springfield, Missouri, daughter Glenda Michael (Bob) of Greenbank, Wash, his grandsons Steven Foster (Melissa) of Reno, Nevada, Brian Foster of Layton, Utah and granddaughter Kimberly Durbin (Dan) of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and six great grandchildren. Burial will be at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, California.