Obituaries : William Germain, 64; Banker, Cook, Traveler

William Germain, who rose from messenger boy at Bank of America to branch vice president, died Sunday. He was 64.

A 33-year resident of Thousand Oaks, Germain--”a strait-laced, suit-and-tie banker,” according to his son, Gary--reinvented himself after his retirement. In his 50s, Germain traded his tie for an apron, becoming a gourmet chef.

A diagnosis of leukemia last August and the subsequent chemotherapy treatments slowed Germain but didn’t keep him from his post-retirement passions: photography, RV camping, ham radio and cooking. A week before his death, Germain fixed his family an elaborate Chinese dinner.

“When I retire I want to use the other side of my brain,” Germain’s wife Jean recalled him telling her.

And so he did.

Once retired, Germain--who had never attended college--earned an associate’s degree in photography at Moorpark College. Shortly after graduation, Germain had built his own camera and was working at his alma mater as a technician in the photo lab.

Whatever new skills he acquired, Germain found a way to use them to help others. At Moorpark College, Germain not only helped photo students, he twice volunteered to help drive students on school trips to the tip of Baja California.

Next, Germain developed a fascination for ham radio. Minutes after the Northridge earthquake, Germain packed up his radio equipment and headed for the nearest Red Cross Center, something he did, his son said, whenever there was news of a disaster.

Recently, aware that death was imminent, Germain kept at his photography, cooking and RV travel. Two weeks before his death, Germain took a last RV trip with his family to Sedona, Ariz. There, with the red-rock canyons in the background, Germain had his family pose for a final portrait.

In addition to his wife, Jean, and son, Gary of Huntington Beach, Germain is survived by his daughter Lori of Oak Harbor, Wash. A private reception will be held at his home. Donations may be made to the Leukemia Society of America.