Obituaries

Obituaries: Avalos, Ongies, Conley, Nikiforuk, Barboza

Veronica Avalos

Woman facing camera
Veronica Avalos

Avenal State Prison recently reported the passing of Correctional Officer Veronica Avalos, who was assigned to the prison’s transportation team.

She began her CDCR career at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in March 2002.

She reported to the Correctional Training Facility in June 2002.

 She transferred to Avenal in October 2005.

Brent E. Conley

Man facing camera
Brent Conley

California State Prison, Solano, reported the passing of Correctional Officer Brent E. Conley on October 26, 2019.

He began his career as a CDCR cadet at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in January 1994.

He served assignments at Ironwood State Prison, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Avenal State Prison and California Men’s Colony.

He transferred to California State Prison, Solano, in December 2016. 

Man facing camera
George Ongies

George Ongies

Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility reported the passing of retired Locksmith George Ongies on October 25, 2019.

He began his CDCR career as a Locksmith at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in January 1992.

Myrna Barboza

Woman facing camera
Myrna Barboza

California Rehabilitation Center reported on October 25, 2019, the passing of Correctional Counselor I Myrna Barboza.

She started her CDCR career in April 2000 at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center.

She was assigned to Calipatria State Prison in June 2000 as a Correctional Officer. 

She transferred to California Rehabilitation Center in April 2005.

In June 2018, she promoted to Correctional Counselor I at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

In September 2018, she returned to the California Rehabilitation Center in the same position.

Woman facing camera
Melinda Nikiforuk

Melinda Nikiforuk

Sierra Conservation Center reported the passing of former employee Melinda Nikiforuk, Lab Assistant, on October 17, 2019, after a long illness.

She began her CDCR career at Sierra Conservation Center as a Lab Assistant in July 2013.

She remained at SCC until her resignation in February 2017.