Warner Fred Croll

April 28, 1923 – August 19, 2014

Resident of Alameda

Warner Croll, family man, humanitarian, comedian, waffle lover, fern filcher, perfect-punctuation protagonist, died on Tuesday, August 19, 2014.

Warner Croll felt California was 'The place you ought to be' decades before the Beverly Hillbillies did. He knew more about his beloved state than any governor, past or present, having traveled virtually every highway and byway, exploring local cultures and capturing new stories. In his 91 years, he never left the state but once, and regretted even that one time. An avid lover of the art of driving (though not flying, EVER), he frequented the coastline as well as the mountain passes, but especially the redwoods, and spent a considerable amount of time at his cabin on the Russian River, talking to his friends at the beach. He also loved canoeing. On many canoe trips, he would 'accidentally' come upon a trove of ferns, which would somehow find their way back to the yard at his small cabin. He was known to have the most 'naturally-occurring' fern garden on the west coast.

Warner would often sit at his favorite counter seat at Ole's Waffle Shop, regaling friends and strangers alike on various issues from his unique and humorous point-of-view. The only way for his favorite waitress, Delores, to quiet him down was to put a chocolate chip waffle in front of him.

Warner also enjoyed eating artichokes and fresh crab under the redwoods and especially enjoyed visiting Fenton's for egg and olive sandwiches (on white bread, please) with a chocolate shake chaser.

He loved ANYTHING covered in chocolate, griping about the 'idiots' in Congress, teaching his dog commands in German, dancing to the music of Jimmy Dorsey (the man could cut a rug!) and riding the Big Dipper at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.

A man of letters, Warner received his Master's Degree from Stanford, and used his education to ensure others appreciated our native tongue as he did, offering, often without provocation, to correct their misguided use of the English language. A stickler for proper punctuation and grammar, no participle was ever left dangling.

He is survived by Norma Croll, his beautiful bride and dance partner of 64 years, daughter Lorrie Croll Tovani, sons Rocklin and Robert Woolley, six grandkids, two great-grandkids and his German Shepherd.

A veteran of WWII, Warner served in Naval Intelligence stationed of course at Pismo Beach (thus proving the oxymoron 'Military Intelligence'), but was a confirmed pacifist.

A counselor at Encinal High School for 35 years, Warner lived to help students make a better life for themselves, and was proud to have helped thousands of young adults matriculate at local and national colleges. He also volunteered at local boys' homes for the decade following his retirement.

His family will hold a private service to lay him to rest in the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery in Piedmont. Donations in his memory may be left as tips at Ole's or Fenton's, but remember to ask for extra chocolate sauce so they know Warner sent you.



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