OBITUARY
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Kenneth Ma
Dick Yukio Nerio, a former co-owner of the closed Meadowlark Airport,
died of heart complications last week during a fishing trip in San Diego.
Nerio was 64.
“A piece of Huntington Beach’s history has passed,” said Barry
Williams, a local businessman and longtime friend.
Huntington Beach Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff, another longtime
friend, said she was shocked to learn of Nerio’s sudden death.
“He did a lot for the community,” she said. “He was a warm and
generous person.”
Many remember Nerio best from his involvement with Meadowlark Airport,
the last privately run airfield in Los Angeles and Orange counties, known
for its nostalgic charm. It closed in 1989, and the site was turned into
residential and commercial development.
For 44 years, the 65-acre airport offered such services as flying
lessons to aviation enthusiasts, plane parking and fuel.
Huntington Beach Councilman Ralph Bauer, another longtime friend, said
the airport added another dimension to the city, with planes taking off
over the Bolsa Chica. There were crashes every so often, he said.
Nerio was active in Surf City’s sister cities program with Anjo,
Japan, and Waitakere, New Zealand. He sat on the program’s board of
directors with his wife, Kazuyo Margaret.
Nerio is survived by his wife, three children -- Michael Nerio,
Charleen Meisenheimer and Elaine Nerio -- and two grandchildren.A funeral
service is planned for 11 a.m. today at Westminster Memorial Park’s Main
Chapel, 14801 Beach Blvd. For information, call Fukui Mortuary Directors,
(213) 626-0441
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