The Memorial Wall

Sharon Adele Friedman, 80, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Woodland Hills, California, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on March 25, 1944, in Toronto, Canada, Sharon moved to Hollywood, California, with her mother, Fay, and brother, Mel, at the age of five. She grew up in Southern California and attended Los Angeles High School.

In 1963, Sharon met the love of her life, Neil, on a blind date, leading to their marriage in 1965. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children, Susan and Adam. Sharon was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the proud grandmother of Lucas, Julian, and Liam.

Sharon had a zest for life and a passion for cooking, traveling, entertaining, and giving back to her community. Her adventurous spirit took her around the world, where she immersed herself in diverse cultures and cuisines. A talented artist, Sharon’s work is part of the permanent collection at The Skirball Cultural Center and is cherished in homes across the country.

Judaism was central to Sharon’s life, and her greatest mission was to pass on Jewish values to her family. Her warmth, generosity, and commitment to her faith were guiding lights for those who knew her.

Sharon is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Neil; her children, Susan (Mike) Willard and Adam (Karen) Friedman; and her adored grandchildren, Julian, Liam, and Lucas. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, creativity, and unwavering kindness that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

Sharon’s memory will forever be a blessing to her family, friends, and all lives she touched.

Neal H. Begerow Jr. passed away on December 24, 2024 at the age of 80, after a seven year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on June 2, 1944 to Fern and Cornelius. At the age of 4, Neal’s family moved to South Pasadena where he spent his youth.

After his Freshman year at South Pasadena High School, Neal attended Army & Navy Academy in Carlsbad where he played football and baseball. Neal was later drafter in to the Army and was stationed at Arlington National Cemetery where he was on The Old Guard. In 1982, Neal opened a heat treating plant in South El Monte where it still operates today.

Neal is survived by his wife, Gail; his three children, Carey (Bill Dobner), Tracy (Jim McMahon), Neal III (Lisa Valenzuela), his seven grandchildren, Sidney, Alison (Daniel), Ryan (Natalie), Meghan, TJ, Matthew and Courtney; one great granddaughter, Austyn; his sister, Ina and brother, Jon.

Neal enjoyed playing golf and tennis, reading, family trips and vacations with friends. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, loving father and a true gentleman to the end.

William H. (Bill) Werts died in Santa Barbara on December 7, 2024 (one week short of his 78th birthday). He had fought courageously and uncomplainingly for years while suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Bill was born and raised in North Hollywood, CA by his parents, Christine and Leonard Werts. At age 18, he volunteered for the Air Force and served in Vietnam. Unexpectedly, during his service, he found what would become his lifelong passion for photography.
Talented and self-taught, Bill became a commercial photographer. With the help from his mother Christine, who took out a second mortgage on their family home, Bill bought a building in Hollywood and started WertsStudios. In the 1980s, he became well-known for his impeccable lighting of food and cars. With nudging from his print clients, he began directing television commercials, starting his own production company, WertsFilms, and had a successful career through the 1990s. Later, Bill returned to his first love, photography, and began an advertising agency in Santa Barbara, 3inc, with two dear friends. Bill loved people and it was a natural evolution that he ended up shooting portraits. His special way with his subjects allowed them to feel at ease and the results were powerful.
Bill volunteered at Brooks Institute and Santa Barbara High School teaching photography and he mentored many aspiring young photographers who became professionals themselves. He was also passionately involved with the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, where he served on the board for many years.
A natural athlete and avid sportsman, Bill's first love was baseball in high school. He continued to play in later years with an advertising league softball team. He added golf to his sports repertoire and that became another lifelong passion.
Bill was beloved and respected by all who knew him. They were drawn to his true heart, warm spirit, and kind demeanor. He was always generous with his smile and laughter. He was a loving and loyal husband, father, son, son-in-law, grandfather, cousin and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Alison, his daughters, Whitney Perry and Carley Algorri, his son-in-laws, Tyler and Evan, his grandchildren, Wesley, Mila, Collins, Oliver, and his mother-in-law, Diane Hester.
He is missed by many, many more.

Yvonne Claudia Hager Gabel passed away Nov. 27, 2024, after a long, valiant battle with Parkinson's Disease. She died peacefully in her home. She was 74.

Yvonne was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Nov. 15, 1950, to Julia Mickulick Hager and Richard R. Hager. She graduated from Grand Army of the Republic Memorial High School, and Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., where she earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English literature and history. On Dec. 23, 1972, she married Paul Charles Gabel, of Kingston, Pa., at St. Ignatius Church, also in Kingston. They raised their children in Binghamton, N.Y., where she lived for over 40 years.

Yvonne was a teaching assistant at Broome-Tioga BOCES for almost two decades. She was an involved PTA member at St. Stanislaus Kostka School and led a petition campaign in the late 1980s that saved the school from closing. She was a lead member of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, which launched a permanent exhibit honoring Serling at Binghamton's Forum Theater in 1985.

Yvonne was a Shakespeare scholar and Anglophile who adored everything that came from Great Britian. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to listen to classical music. She was a proud "Star Trek" fan — an obsession she shared with her kids at countless conventions — and an avid reader, with a book collection that spanned every genre.

Yvonne cared deeply about her family, and nothing made her happier than being around her grandchildren. She was compassionate and thoughtful, someone who gave excellent gifts and comforting hugs. She enjoyed writing letters to friends and held on to every postcard she received. She had an infectious laugh, a sharp memory, a dry wit, and a world-class intellect that made her a great conversationalist.

Yvonne is survived by a large loving family, including her sister, Evelyn; children: Lucille, Claudia, and Paul; grandchildren: Chloe, Thomas, and Julia; former husband, Paul; and many nieces and nephews. She was cherished by all and we will forever treasure her memory.

Malcolm Smith (1941 – 2024), who many consider to be America’s most-renowned and best-loved motorcyclist, has died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, which he battled for more than two decades. He was 83.

Smith passed away at home in Riverside, Calif., on November 26, peacefully and surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Louise and Ashley, sons Joel and Alexander, granddaughters Evie, Adeline, Amelie, Miley and Claire, and grandsons Ethan, Malcolm and Conrad.

In his final year he welcomed his newest grandchildren, Malcolm, Conrad and Claire, and was thrilled to watch his granddaughters learn to ride motorcycles.

During his 83 years, Smith did it all: Rider. Racer. ISDT gold medalist. Shop tech. Service manager. Repair shop owner. Aftermarket distributor. Retail store owner. Actor. Sponsor. Philanthropist. Pro-motorcycling advocate. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Friend. And much more.

But over and above all that, Malcolm Smith was everyman’s motorcyclist, an enthusiastic, fun-loving, driven and talented example of what motorcycling could do and be for the everyday enthusiast, and how the sport could affect our lives in unimaginable ways.

“Malcolm Smith embodied so much of what’s good about motorcycle enthusiasts and the sport of motorcycling,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Not only did he excel in riding, racing and business, but Malcolm was also a great example of how to get the most out of motorcycling and give back and support our sport, which he did during much of his life — and always with a grin.”

More than decade ago, Malcolm Smith wrote these words for the final chapter of his acclaimed 2015 autobiography: “It all started for me on March 9, 1941, in a small rural hospital in the village of Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada…

“Where it will end, no one knows. But you can be sure I’m going to enjoy every minute I have left, with a smile on my face, and my family nearby. Can’t ask for more than that.”

You can’t, and he didn’t…and the world’s motorcycling fans are better for it.

Godspeed, Malcolm.

Arnold Harris, 69, of Baltimore, MD, formerly of Lititz, PA died of Parkinson's Disease on November 26, 2024. Mr. Harris, known for his kindness and generosity, was a longtime Lancaster County resident, where he served as president and owner of Electronic Interface Associates.

Arnold married Abbey Ina Cohen on May 27, 1979. The couple had two children while living in the Boston area. In 1987, the young family moved to Lancaster County so that Arnold could establish his business, which he ran successfully until his retirement in 2021.

Arnold found great joy being with family, friends, and going out to eat. One of his favorite things to do was getting ice cream with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He always had a kind word or joke to share, even with strangers.

Arnold was preceded in death by his Father, Phillip Harris; Mother, Phyllis Harris; and cherished Wife of 44 years, Abbey Harris. He is survived by his brothers, Michael and Joel Harris; sister Judith (Michael) Belitch; Son, Andrew (Tracy) Harris; Daughter, Adrienne (Victor) Jackson; grandchildren Jace, Adriella, Leanna, and Jonah; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Colorado legend who built Bishop Castle 50 miles southwest of Pueblo has died. James "Jim" Roland Bishop was 80 years old at the time of his passing.

His son, Daniel Bishop, said he died early Thursday morning in hospice after battling Parkinson’s disease for many years. Jim spent 44 years of his life building the historical landmark, which stands along state Highway 165 in the Rye area in southern Colorado. 

“I started in 1969. I was 25 years old at the time,” said Bishop. “It started out with me and my dad building a stone house and people said the rock looked more like a castle. That’s how the idea started."

 “Well, you just build it. A cable and two pulleys,” Bishop explained, adding he would work "morning till dark."

Decades later, people from all over the world come to the small town of Rye to see the masterpiece Jim spent 44 years working on.

“Nobody else has done anything like this in the world. People come from all over the world to see it. Siberia to Ukraine and the furthest has been the Himalayas,” said Jim's son Daniel.

Mike Pinera, the singer and guitarist who wrote the 1970 hit “Ride Captain Ride” for his band Blues Image, died on Nov. 20 at the age of 76.

Local news outlet the St. Pete Catalyst confirmed his passing at home in Tampa, Florida, after a long illness.

Blues Image added Latin rhythms to their heavy rock sound, gaining attention for the unusual blend. They opened Tampa’s first-ever psychedelic club, Dino’s, before moving to Miami and becoming a regular feature at Thee Image club.

They opened for a range of bands including Cream, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin, and Pinera developed a lasting friendship with Jimmy Page.

After Blues Image split Pinera joined Iron Butterfly, appearing on their 1970 album Metemorphosis. He was among the first to make use of the Talk Box device, as heard on his song “Butterfly Bleu.” After leaving in 1972 he reunited with the band on four occasions up to 1993. He Later joined Alice Cooper’s band for a two-year stint in 1980.

In a 2014 interview, Pinera recalled the Blues Image period as one of discovery. “People felt that there was a higher reality which we were all part of but couldn’t quite get there on our own,” he said. “So they looked to psychedelic rock, meditation, Eastern music and alternative lifestyles to expand their consciousness [and] accommodate the vast realms they began to discover.

“In Blues Image, Manny Bertematti and I began learning meditation techniques, vegetarian diets, fasting and treating everyone we met like they were our family. … We discovered dimensions of well-being that had us glowing from head to toe. Our music expressed levels of spontaneity that had us playing the very same thing together at the same – without knowing how or why!”

Asked about the high points of his career, he replied: “Meeting, becoming friends and jamming with Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, among others. They were very social and open if you got to know them.

“To people on the outside they came off as very private almost out of reach. But in quiet, laid back surroundings, you could feel a deep sadness and hunger for true friendship and sincerity.”

Emil (Al) Nagel, age 85, died of complications from Parkinson's Disease on November 20th, 2024, in Simi Valley, California.

Al is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Joe, Nanette, and Janet; and their spouses Teresa Nagel, Chris Wakim, and Mark Smith; and his grandchildren; Corinne, Heather, John, Cole, Connor, and Kit. He is preceded in death by his mother, Katharina; his father, Emil; and his sisters, Katherine, Miriam, and Anna Marie.

Al was born on October 23rd, 1939, in Los Angeles, California, to parents Katharina and Emil. He graduated from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA, with a degree in Business. He moved back to the San Fernando Valley where he worked as a food broker for more than 20 years. Following this Al worked in the grocery stores until his retirement.

Al was a great family man and a loving father. He married Nancy in 1963 and the couple had three children together.

Al was a social, active man who was deeply involved in family and friends for all of his life. He enjoyed tennis, bowling, and his trips to the casino. His family and friends will always remember him as a fun, kind, loving person.

Philip James Bergan, 86, of Charleston, SC, died on Thursday, November 14, 2024 of Lewy body/Parkinson's dementia. Beloved husband of, first, Susan Bancroft and then, after her death, Anne Fisk, proud mother and stepmother, respectively, of David of New York City and Jeffrey of San Francisco. Loving father-in-law of Braden Cleveland Bergan and grandchildren, Phoebe and Andy Bergan of New York City. Devoted son of the late Raymond P. and Marjorie W. Bergan of Scarsdale, NY, and Arlington, VA, and loving brother of the late Raymond W. Bergan of Arlington, VA. Graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (1960) and Yale Law School (1964), he also received an M.A. from Stanford University (1963). Lawyer in New York, Paris, and London with Shearman & Sterling, Citicorp, and D'Amato & Lynch. Author of a monograph and later a three-volume biography of the 19th century American law reformer David Dudley Field, titled The Most Persistent Man. Member of The Carolina Yacht Club, The Yale Club of New York City, and various professional and scholarly organizations. A loving husband, father, and friend.