Victor “Vic” Subia, class of 1960, passed away February 2, 2021 from COVID-19.
Vic was a year ahead of us at Azusa High School, but many from our class knew him and have asked about his passing. I’ll share with you what I know about Vic’s fulfilling life and his untimely death— both from emails he sent and what I learned from his younger brother, Rick.
“Vic had serious lung issues from his time as a firefighter. He contracted COVID and that, and other health issues, were too much for his body. He passed in the hospital. Unfortunately, he was isolated. We were able to talk to him via phone but due to the breathing tubes he could not reply. My big brother is gone, and I will miss him,” Rick said.
Vic led a full and interesting life in his mission to serve others. His pursuit started early. At Azusa High School he was active in the Key Club, ROTC, and even worked on the big “A” on the mountain overlooking Azusa.
After high school Vic joined the army and later, worked with communities and organizations to help make them safer. In an email dated September 13, 2020, Vic said, “I am a retired firefighter. After the army I was an Azusa firefighter, then an Orange County Deputy Sheriff, then back to the fire service in Huntington Beach. After I retired I was a public safety and national security consultant to several US and foreign agencies including the FBI, Secret Service, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and several Olympic Summer and Winter Games.”
After years of working long hours and traveling the world as a security consultant, Vic settled down and bought a home in Rancho Bernardo, California. When a fire destroyed all of the homes on the block except his, and he was told the repair work to his home would be extensive and costly, Vic decided to pack it up and move to El Dorado County near Sacramento so he could be closer to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He said, “I’m close enough to see them often without becoming a meddling parent.” He was proud of all of his grandchildren, especially is granddaughter, Ashley, who followed in his footsteps and is now a Fire Captain with the U.S. Forest Service. Vic said, “I never encouraged my granddaughter to become a firefighter, it was all her idea and she is really good at it.”
After years of paying mortgages, home maintenance and repairs, living in crowded cities, and almost losing his home to a wildfire, Vic was tired and wanted to live a simpler life in his retirement. So when he arrived in El Dorado County he chose to live in a hotel where everything was taken care of. “Living in a house just wasn’t me. I like being alone, living free, and having someone else worry about replacing the toilet paper and fixing the roof and the plumbing,” he said.
When the pandemic hit, Vic’s worries were far from over. He had several friends from other countries who died from COVID-19, so Vic was aware of the dangers to the most vulnerable population. He said, “The COVID-19 issue is a nightmare. I have asthma so I have to be extra careful not to get exposed to the virus. I usually volunteer at the El Dorado County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), but not with the COVID-19 stuff around.”
Vic isolated at home, read mystery novels to keep himself entertained and only left when absolutely necessary. “I don’t live close enough to stores that deliver so I have to shop once every two weeks,” Vic said. Sadly, despite his precautions, he contracted COVID-19.
Vic was beloved by all who knew him. He was always a gentleman and never a bore. And he loved to talk—especially about his worldly adventures and the famous people he rubbed elbows with along the way. He was considerate—always sending e-cards on holidays and special occasions to his friends. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Vic.
She was easily the size of a large horse! This was the first visit to the Grand Canyon for Debbie who was awestruck by the canyon. The Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert were next where we enjoyed the sight of the ancient logs turned into rocks and the lovely pink, mauve and gray sand hills. On the way to Tucumcari, NM, we drove through Albuquerque and walked around Santa Fe. We truly enjoyed the lovely scenery throughout New Mexico. Our next place for sightseeing was Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Did you know that there are over 410 miles of caves there? While in Tennessee, we took county roads to get on the road to Atlanta, I-24. The lands of Tennessee were some of the prettiest we had seen. We stayed in Chattanooga, TN for two nights. The first night we took a dinner cruise on the Tennessee River and the next day we walked through a cave on Outlook Mountain to Ruby Falls. 
We went to the Atlanta area to visit Debbie’s friends and family. On May 11 we went with her son to Stone Mountain which is a huge granite monolith with carvings of Civil War heroes on it.
We picked up the I-10 in Mobile, AL and when we got to Mississippi we stopped at a rest area/visitor center. Since it was Mother’s Day, May 12, the staff gave both of us handmade cards, some cookies and lemonade. We both thought that was very nice! Our next stop was fantastic San Antonio! Our lodging had been the original city jail but made a great hotel. We were able to walk to the Alamo 
and then strolled along the Riverwalk. We took a tour boat on the river and ate lunch at a great Mexican restaurant there. Have you ever had a baked avocado? Debbie did and said it was great. Carlsbad Caverns was our next site to see. We walked the Big Room in Carlsbad Caverns which was wonderful. It was a 1.5 mile walk with various stalactites and stalagmite configurations lit up Then we headed over the Sacramento mountains to get to White Sands National Park on I-70. After doing the drive through the park, we headed for the I-10. In Tucson, AZ, we wandered through the Saguaro National Monument. 
Thepicture is of the Visitor Center. After stopping in Chandler, AZ to see my son and grandchildren, we headed on I-17 north. We went to see Montezuma’s Castle which is a Pueblo Indian edifice built into the rock face of a cliff.
Then we went on through Sedona to I-40 and followed the signs to Laughlin, NV. We stayed overnight at the Aquarius Casino and were home by 3 PM. Whew! Lots of driving but I enjoy being behind the wheel and Debbie was a great navigator. One word of advice – when going to national parks, be sure to always see the films available at the visitor centers. Every one was well done and full of very interesting information. Picture below – Joanne Srack Mead on the left and Debbie Tuttle on the right.
Longest Drive, Men – Jim Jernigan
Longest Drive, Ladies – Betty Hartley and Closest to Pin – Dave Hartley
Team 2 – Betty Hartley, Louis Mason, Hank Garcia, Dick Bessire, Jeff Eby
Team 3 – Dave Hartley, Butch Lightfoot, Frank Perez, Chuck Hardin, Rich McDowell
AHS Class of 1961 Golfers – El Dorado Park Golf Course, Long Beach, CA – 4/3/2017
Azusa High 1961 Blog 