Whizin's former manager, philanthropist Vance Moran dies
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Vance Moran

Vance Moran, a man who epitomized the spirit of Agoura Hills with his Southern charm, generosity to the community, no-nonsense business style, and lively sense of humor died Tuesday at his Covington, La. home of complications from stomach cancer. He was 83.

Moran managed Whizin's Center in Agoura Hills in 1954 with its late owner, Art Whizin.

The shopping center eventually became an emblem of Agoura Hills, defining the area with a Western flair and rural charm that's still apparent today.

Born in a poor, swampy region of Louisiana, Moran's childhood was marred by difficulties that led to his early acceptance of responsibility.

According to Moran's biography, "Ghosts of Time," written with Don Goodman, Moran was the family breadwinner by age 6, and was on his own by the time he was 12.

"He understood about the poor and the hungry because he's been down that road," said George Annino, a longtime friend of Moran's.

His hardscrabble days in Louisiana made Moran both fearless and determined.

He pulled himself up by the proverbial bootstraps, became a professional boxer, a World War II hero, a successful businessman and a popular and cherished area resident.

Moran served in the Air Force during the war, and at age 18 was assigned to a secret mission behind enemy lines in North Africa.

Denis Weber, an Agoura Hills City Council member, said he was awestruck by the tales Moran told, and especially impressed after reading Moran's book.

"The thing that struck me the most was when he found Nazis had massacred all the men in his camp, he found out where the German contingent was, went there with what was left of his company, and killed them," Weber said.

Moran earned a reputation as a "sweet, gentle giant" of a man because of his willingness to fund raise for so many local causes, Weber said.

After reading about his accomplishments in the war, Weber said he saw Moran as a hero.

"This is a guy who went through hell, literally, and he came out the other end and survived," he said.

Annino recalls Moran in the same light.

"He was really a wonderful, kind man," Annino said. "He helped everybody regardless of their religious background or color of their skin."

Moran returned to his Louisiana hometown in 2005 and remained tough as nails to the end.

Moran and his wife, Pat, hunkered down in their new home 24 miles north of New Orleans and rode out hurricanes Katrina and Rita even though the majority of his town listened to authorities and evacuated.

He lived to see the resolution of the 50-year battle over the Triangle Ranch development by Ladyface Mountain.

The project was recently approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Moran was pleased with the board's decision, Weber said.