I am deeply saddened at the loss of Rich. My memories of Rich go way back to grade school starting in the third grade at Salesian School in North Beach. Rich was a great guy, almost always smiling. He was liked by all his classmates. Our class has fond memories that we were able to share 5 years ago at our 50th grade school reunion. We have a 55th reunion coming up in September and I was so looking forward to visiting with Rich again. Well Rich, I guess that visit will have to wait til we meet again. My thoughts and prayers are with your loving wife and children and extended family during this very difficult time. Rest in peace my very dear classmate. Donna Bucedi Traverso

I will always remember Rich Claverie while working at LeyVa Middle School. He was a legend among all of his students as well as his fellow colleagues and staff who cherished him. God bless you, Rich, and rest in peace. My heart goes out to his family.

I will miss my Uncle Richie always, but he will live forever in my heart and mind. His impact on my life is immeasurable. He was the most wonderful uncle. He was all about his family and the ones he loved. You always knew Uncle Richie was in your corner. I can't think of many family memories that don't include him. He had the biggest heart, a great sense of humor, an incredibly sharp mind... he was both an athlete and a scholar. I will miss everything - his laugh, smile, big hugs, jokes. I love you so much, Uncle Richie.

Rich will definitely be missed by all of us that worked with him at LeyVa.
Rich was one of the most loving and caring teachers at LeyVa.

Gen & Rich Cava

In 1970, Rich was my PE teacher at Quimby Oaks Junior High in San Jose. At that time he was only 12 years older. We quickly became friends and he was also my track and basketball coach. When I graduated from Silver Creek, he came to my house for a small graduation party.Over the years, we kept in touch and I would thank him for his influence on my life. Like Rich, I became a school teacher and track/cross country coach. Thanks Mr. Claverie

Our HEARTS are HEAVY, with the passing of our friend RICH. A LOVING FRIENDSHIP for forty years. We met Rich at LeyVa Jr. High. Rich the coach, Alan the music teacher, Irene the Health Aide. That's when it began. We shared so much, the STAFF, STUDENTS and FAMILIES. PE, BASKETBALL, BAND and NURSES OFFICE. As I Saw Rich, a HANDSOME, DEVOTED COACH, HARD WORKING, CARING, and FUN LOVING. I could go on and on but it would take a lot of reading. Rich gave both of us his support when we endured hard times, never losing faith in our times of need. Not sure if we ever THANKED him. Thanks Rich. On a lighter note, he would come into the NURSES OFFICE and ask if there was anything I could do to FIX his BENT FINGER! Over the years it was a silly request but fun. Alan worked with Rich sharing students between SPORTS and BAND, always preventing any conflict as to participation. BASKETBALL game's and BAND were a must, enjoyed by many on a Friday night. RICH was looked up to by the students of LEYVA..He molded many lives.    
MERILEE, a beautiful and understanding wife, so THANKFUL, we can call her friend. A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. My last communication with Rich was by FB, earlier this month, he sent me a reply to a invite for a suprise get together for Alan. He explained he would be in RUSSIA on vacation. He posted special words to share with Alan. Well this is our TRIBUTE TO OUR FRIEND RICHARD CLAVERIE. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN WE WILL MISS YOU.  ~ IRENE AND ALAN HAYDIS~

When I think about Uncle Rich, what comes to mind are his smile and his laugh, his awesome Italian cooking, his animated mannerisms, and his intelligence. He was one of the biggest personalities I've ever known and the best Uncle in the whole world! He loved to read and ski and was so much fun just to be around. I remember when Holly bit him on the leg for reasons she can't even explain today, he just laughed. I remember when he taught us about cellulite and we didn't believe him. I remember the amazing smell of the pipe tobacco. He enthusiastically endured all the "shows" my sister and I put on at family gatherings. And he had the coolest ski goggles! Memories of our families together at Christmas are the ones I treasure most, though - truly some of the most special times of my childhood. I am so grateful to have known such an incredible man. He will be very missed. He loved to travel and have adventures and I am certain that his soul will carry on doing just that. I love you Uncle Rich, and will see you on the other side.

Mr. Claverie was the best PE teacher and basketball coach anyone could ever have. He was usually very tough, but he could tell when a student needed more than that and he always offered what was needed. I was a shy, nerdy kid who happened to be good at sports but had low self esteem. Mr. Claverie was there for me to help me develop a more positive self esteem. When I made the basketball team in the 8th grade, he told me how proud he was of me. No one had ever told me that before. My parents were not loving and supportive like most are, so this was a big deal for me. I didn't just make any middle school basketball team. I made the 1991-92 8th grade "Dream Team" 20-0 basketball team. The team was stacked with talent and I made the team with a coach who was proud of me. It meant the world to me and still does. Ladt year, I became a middle school basketball coach and got to coach my team against LeyVa in the Rich Claverie Gymnasium. It was a very proud moment for me. My team was proud for me. I coach my team the way Coach Claverie would coach it; tough but with love. Thank you for what you have done for me Coach. My life wouldn't be as great as it is today if you weren't here for me.

There will always be a part of our great friend, Rich, with each and every one of us. Rich enjoyed life to the fullest. We will miss the little things that you did, Rich, that brought us joy whenever you were with us. Bert, Marilyn, and Jimmy

July, 2014

Richie Claverie was a special cousin of mine. He was one year older than me, one year younger than my sister, Laurie, and two years older than my brother, Butch. Unfortunately both my siblings passed away in their fifties. My memories of Rich are many, beginning when we were kids. We lived in Stockton and Rich was my “Big City” cousin. His family, including his aunts and uncles would visit Stockton to be with my grandmother and his aunt.

We spent vacations in Santa Cruz. One year, the family had a bad car accident there. Rich was the only one not hurt. He was young and he bounced real good. Anyway, we all went to Santa Cruz to help take care of his parents and my grandparents who were badly injured. Well, let me restate that, the kids had a blast that summer, while my parents and other aunts and uncles took care of the injured who were hospitalized for quite a while. Everyone survived, and we kids went to the boardwalk everyday for a month or so.

When I was about 16, Rich and the family were visiting Stockton and I had boyfriend who was annoying me to death by crying every time I would try to breakup with him. So, Rich said I should just ignore him and come visit him and his family in San Francisco for a few days. So, my parents said “ok” and that was the beginning of my training as a “Big City” girl. I learned how to sneak out of the house with Uncle Leon (Rich’s dad) sitting in the bay window and watching everything that went on outside. I learned how to go to a party and drink a beer with no parents home! I learned how to walk bravely down Market Street to go to the movies with my arm hooked through Rich’s for protection. I thought then and I still think so now that he was the “coolest” guy I had ever known. 
I’m so deeply saddened to know of Rich’s passing. I know he was a great inspiration to his children, grandchildren and his students. I am sure it gives Merrilee, Todd, Kindra and the grandkids such pride to have called him husband, dad and grandfather and to all his students to call him “Coach”.


Somewhere in heaven you can hear a basketball swooshing through the hoops…..

Love you Richie,

Leslie