Roland Edwin "Rolly" Greek (1921-2008)

Uncle Rolly was born 26 Apr 1921 in Riverside, CA. The Federal census shows that the family was living on the ranch in the orange groves of Highgrove in 1920. So, presumably, that's where he was born.

he story that I remember is that Rolly got some training during the depression as a telephone lineman in one of the New Deal (federal) job training programs.

Like his brothers, he served in the US Navy in WWII. He served aboard the transport ships USS Chaumont and USS Wharton carrying personnel and materiel to the Aleutian Islands and elsewhere. He was also aboard the USS President Adams when it made its voyage from San Francisco to New Guinea in November, 1944. He may have been aboard the Adams when it participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima in February, 1945. During his tours of duty, he attained the rank of Seaman First Class.

After the war he worked as a telephone lineman/technician for the various incarnations of the Bell telephone Companies in Southern California.
He and his wife Dorothy (Aunt Dot) have four children: Jack (Forrest), Linda, Debbie, and Timothy.

In retirement, he and Aunt Dot lived for a few years in Crescent City, CA. They returned to Southern California in 1996 to live in Chula Vista, CA. Uncle Rolly died in Chula Vista on 11 Mar 2008.

Person wearing a loose white shirt, pointing downward.

Circa June 1923.

A vintage black-and-white photo of a family with children outdoors.

The Greek family circa June 1923. L to R: Clarence, Ray, Colette,
Alice,Claude, Mayme (holding Bill) Irene, Rolly.

Two young children standing outdoors in vintage clothing.

Rolly and Bill circa early 1924.

Children holding hands, showing unity and friendship.

Rolly circa late 1924.

A vintage black-and-white photo of a family with three children and three adults outdoors.

The Greek family circa late 1924.
L to R: Alice, Claude, Bill, Mayme,
Rolly, Irene, Ray

A black and white photo of a family posing outdoors in vintage attire.

The Greek family June, 1925, Colette's High School Graduation.
L to R: Irene, Claude, Mayme, Bill, Rolly, Colette

Black and white photo showing part of a person's torso and arm.

Rolly. June, 1925.

A vintage black and white photo of a family group outdoors.

The Greeks 1929.
L to R: Claude, Rolly, Mayme, Jack, Alice, Bill, Clarence

A vintage black-and-white photo of a man with three boys in casual clothing.

The Greek family 1932.
L to R: Ray, Alice, Rolly, Mayme, Jack, Bill, Claude.

Black and white photo of a family posing outdoors in formal attire.

Extended family. 1933
L to R: Gene Hill, Alice, Mayme, Clarence, Verda, Jack, Claude, Ray, Rolly.

Group of young men and boys posing outdoors in vintage attire.

Greek boys circa 1938.
L to R:Ray, Claude, Jack, Bill, Clarence, Rolly

A black-and-white photo of five people posing outdoors, including a nun and four men.

Greeks circa 1941.
L to R: Rolly, Jack. Ray, Sister Colette, Bill, Clarence.

Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit.

Rolly circa 1941.

Black and white portrait of a smiling sailor in uniform.

Roland Edwin Greek, Sea1/c, USN. Circa 1943.

A black-and-white photo of eight children standing outside a house, some with handwritten names above their heads.

Cousins 1950.
Back L to R:Jim, Richard, John, Roger Hill
Front L to R: Debbie, Pat, Doug, Jack (Forrest), Sharon Greek

Black and white photo of three men and a nun standing together outdoors.

L to R: Ray, Bill, Sister Colette, Rolly.
Taken at our home in Fontana in 1950.

Black-and-white photo of a large family group outdoors, smiling and posing together.

L to R: Virginia, Ray, Sister Colette, Bill, Alice, Cousin Rosemary Sheridan, Gene, Rolly. In front are Ray and Virginia's children (L to R): Doug, Pat, Sharon. Taken at our home in Fontana in 1950.

A vintage photo of a group of people standing outdoors in a line.

Greek family picnic in Santa Ana, CA, 1955.
L to R: Ray, Virginia, Emma (Clarence's wife), Clarence, Jack, Sister Colette, Margarette (Jack's wife), Alice, Bill, Bill's friend, Rolly, Dorothy (Rolly's wife)

Black and white photo of a person holding a small bell.

Rolly and Dot 1955.

A group of eight people posing outdoors on a sunny day.

Family at our home in Fontana, 1956.
Standing L to R:Rolly, Gene, Bill, Jack, Clarence, Sister Colette.
Seated L to R: Alice, Emma, Dot, Margarette.

A vintage black-and-white photo of a family sitting together on a couch.

Rolly, Jack and kids 1958.
L to R: Rolly, Debbi, Linda, Timmy, Stephen, Jack, Stephanie (Margie) Greek.

A group of six people posing on a couch, smiling warmly.

At Alice and Gene's 25th wedding anniversary, Fontana, 15 Aug 1958.
L to R: Bill, Clarence, Alice, Rolly, Ray, and Jack in front.

Five men posing outdoors in casual attire, black and white photo.

Greek brothers 1959.
L to R: Ray, Rolly, Clarence, Bill, Jack.

A group portrait of six men, a woman, and a nun in a vintage living room.

Christmas in Fontana 1959.
L to R: Ray, Jack, Rolly, Alice, Bill, Sister Colette.

An elderly couple standing arm in arm outside their home on a sunny day.

Rolly and Dot. Chula Vista, CA. Apr 1998.