The Buchanans those who do
Giving Back
A Way Of Life
Written By Kelly Barbazette
“ Bloom where you are planted ” is not only one of Joan Buchanan ’ s favorite sayings , but also the mantra she and her husband , Dr . Phil Buchanan , have followed since moving to Gilroy 45 years ago .
From the Garlic Festival to downtown murals to city parks , the Buchanans have rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand in many projects throughout town for decades .
“ It ’ s a whole lot of fun . And we ’ ve met a lot of wonderful people throughout the years ,” Dr . Buchanan said .
The Buchanans met at McGee ’ s , a pizza parlor in Southern California , 52 years ago . They married in August 1964 and moved to Gilroy in 1970 when Dr . Buchanan took over a private dental practice .
Dr . Buchanan still remembers their first day in Gilroy , quickly learning their way around town . He said he first joined the Kiwanis Club and then the Jaycees , a former leadership and community service club .
As the Garlic Festival Volunteer Bread Chairman for 20 years , Dr . Buchanan said he enjoyed working alongside volunteers at the festival and chairing the Barn Dances and “ thank you ” barbecues for the volunteers . He said he is particularly proud of cooking with Gilroy ’ s dynamic cooking duo , Gene Sakahara and Ed Bozzo , over the years . Dr . Buchanan is also a former Planning Commissioner and Parks and Recreation Commissioner who helped establish the Gilroy Veteran ’ s Memorial on the ranch side of Christmas Hill Park in the early 2000s .
He also has volunteered with many community projects , including overseeing the installation of the city ’ s holiday decorations , including the Christmas tree and banners in the downtown , for 43 years .
For her part , Joan has volunteered with the Downtown Business Association since 1972 , and held a board member seat for several years . She has helped with many downtown projects including : securing benches , trashcans and bike racks in the downtown area ; the new pedestrian paseo , that links the public parking lot and the heart of downtown between Fifth and Sixth streets ; and the painting and restoring of the murals on downtown walls , including the one depicting Gilroy ’ s garlic fields on the south wall in the parking lot of 5th and Monterey , and the newly restored train mural on the side of 5th Street Coffee Roasting Company .
“ I like my projects with the Downtown Business Association ,” Joan said . “ I like working with them because there are downtown businesspeople who are really making a difference .”
She also has served on the Public Art Committee , which was instrumental in bringing historical statues downtown . In addition , she helped establish the original Fundamental Elementary School at Brownell and worked to help restore the historic Wiley House on Fifth Street .
In their mid 70s , the Buchanans are elders of the Gilroy Presbyterian Church , where they also served on the building committee for the current church location .
“ The key to everything — Gilroy is a really friendly town ,” Dr . Buchanan said . “ It lets you participate to the degree that you want and you don ’ t have to live here a long time to get involved .”
The couple said they appreciate that Gilroy is not only a town of people with talent , but also a hub for the Bay Area , connecting cities they enjoy visiting , including Carmel and San Francisco .
While Dr . Buchanan retired from his private practice 11 years ago , he teaches part-time at the UOP Dental School in San Francisco three days a week . The couple travels frequently to dental conventions throughout the country . They also spend a lot of time visiting their two daughters and five grandchildren , who live in San Ramon and Mission Viejo .
Joan also enjoys quilting once a week with a group of ladies while Dr . Buchanan enjoys gardening .
“ We ’ re very blessed ,” Dr . Buchanan said .
20
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E MAY / JUNE 2015 gmhtoday . com
The Buchanans
those who do
Giving Back
“Bloom where you are planted”
is not only one of Joan Buchanan’s favorite sayings, but also the
mantra she and her husband, Dr. Phil Buchanan, have followed
since moving to Gilroy 45 years ago.
From the Garlic Festival to downtown murals to city parks, the
Buchanans have rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand in many
projects throughout town for decades.
“It’s a whole lot of fun. And we’ve met a lot of wonderful people
throughout the years,” Dr. Buchanan said.
The Buchanans met at McGee’s, a pizza parlor in Southern
California, 52 years ago. They married in August 1964 and moved
to Gilroy in 1970 when Dr. Buchanan took over a private dental
practice.
Dr. Buchanan still remembers their first day in Gilroy, quickly
learning their way around town. He said he first joined the Kiwanis
Club and then the Jaycees, a former leadership and community
service club.
As the Garlic Festival Volunteer Bread Chairman for 20 years,
Dr. Buchanan said he enjoyed working alongside volunteers at the
festival and chairing the Barn Dances and “thank you” barbecues
for the volunteers. He said he is particularly proud of cooking with
Gilroy’s dynamic cooking duo, Gene Sakahara and Ed Bozzo, over
20
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E
A Way Of Life
Written By Kelly Barbazette
the years. Dr. Buchanan is also a former Planning Commissioner and
Parks and Recreation Commissioner who helped establish the Gilroy
Veteran’s Memorial on the ranch side of Christmas Hill Park in the
early 2000s.
He also has volunteered with many community projects, including
overseeing the installation of the city’s holiday decorations, including
the Christmas tree and banners in the downtown, for 43 years.
For her part, Joan has volunteered with the Downtown Business
Association since 1972, and held a board member seat for several
years. She has helped with many downtown projects including:
securing benches, trashcans and bike racks in the downtown area;
the new pedestrian paseo, that links the public parking lot and the
heart of downtown between Fifth and Sixth streets; and the painting
and restoring of the murals on downtown walls, including the one
depicting Gilroy’s garlic fields on the south wall in the parking lot of
5th and Monterey, and the newly restored train mural on the side of
5th Street Coffee Roasting Company.
“I like my projects with the Downtown Business Association,”
Joan said. “I like working with them because there are downtown
businesspeople who are really making a difference.”
She also has served on the Public Art Committee, which was
instrumental in bringing historical statues downtown. In addition,
she helped establish the original Fundamental Elementary School at
Brownell and worked to help restore the historic Wiley House on
Fifth Street.
In their mid 70s, the Buchanans are elders of the Gilroy
Presbyterian Church, where they also served on the building
committee for the current church location.
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