Charles ‘Cy’ Painter Charles A. Painter, better...

Charles ‘Cy’ Painter

Charles A. Painter, better known as “Cy,” died Feb. 27 from

complications of a stroke he suffered in January. He was 86.

In deference to his wishes, no formal services will be held.

“He was such a character,” said Barbara Painter, former wife and

good friend.

Mr. Painter was born in Pittsburgh, Penn, an alumnus of St. Paul

and Avon schools. He worked in banks in Pittsburgh and Tucson, Ariz.,

before moving to Laguna Beach in 1947.

He bought and sold real estate in Laguna, developed many of his

properties and owned and operated the Shoals Motel for 20 years. The

staunch Republican and lover of the outdoors was active in the

Hotel/Motel Assn.

A trophy winner in trapshooting, Mr. Painter was also an avid

fisherman. He entertained friends aboard his Bertram boat, which he

took to La Paz, Bolivia, where he fished and cruised the gulf. He

would drive down the Baja Peninsula in the 1960s, before there were

any paved roads.

Mr. Painter also raced cars, and won at Torrey Pines, defeating

Phil Hill, who later won the European Grand Prix championship. His

red Corvette was a familiar sight on Laguna’s streets -- not always

at the posted speeds.

“One day, he was tootling around town in the ‘Vette, and [late

Police Officer] Vic Sagan stopped him,” Barbara Painter said. “Cy

said, ‘Vic, you are not going to give me a ticket?’ Vic said, ‘Cy,

this is the most overdue ticket in town.’”

Mr. Painter collected antique cars, which were regulars in the

Patriot’s Day Parade. He eventually owned a 1913 Cadillac, a 1926

Rolls Royce, a 1932 Ford, a 1928 Packard, a 1930 Pierce Arrow and a

1927 Hispano Suiza.

During restoration of the Hispano Suiza, he needed special fabric

for the interior. The only person who had the fabric was professional

driver Hill, whom amateur Mr. Painter had defeated in a race.

Negotiations reportedly got pretty intense.

“He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family who

participated with him in chess, bridge, table tennis, bicycling,

volleyball boating and truck trips,” Barbara Painter said.

Mr. Painter is survived by his sister, Alice Thompson of

Sewickley, Penn.; his daughter, Susan Colsman; his son, William

Painter of Las Vegas; his grandson, McKee Colsman; former

stepchildren John Brion, William Brion, Robert Potter and Wendy

Potter; and their mother.

-- Barbara Diamond

Annita Koumas

Longtime Laguna Beach resident Annita Koumas died March 1 at the

Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. She was 84.

Before retiring, Mrs. Koumas worked as an economist with the Food

Employers Council.

Services were held March 5 at the chapel of McCormick & Son

Mortuary in Laguna Beach.

Mrs. Koumas is survived by her husband, Thomas Koumas; daughter

Mary Koumas; son John Koumas; and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s

Foundation care of the mortuary.

Althea M. Scott

Althea M. Scott, a 37-year resident of Laguna Beach, died March 1

of pulmonary disease. She was 76.

Ms. Scott was an X-ray technician. She is survived by her sons,

Elgin Scott and Mitchell Scott; daughter Althea Scott; and brother

Skip Mitchell.

Anne Glidden

Anne Glidden, a 37-year resident of Laguna Beach, died March 5 of

a vascular disease. She was 60.

Ms. Glidden worked as an office manager for Smith-Barney. She is

survived by son Christopher of Laguna Beach; brother Thomas Glidden

of Pacific Grove; and sisters Heidi Wright of Laguna Beach and Claire

Glidden of Los Angeles.