The Memorial Wall

Producer Stephen C. Grossman, who worked in the entertainment industry for 35 years, including eight as coordinating producer on the comedy hit Newhart, has died. He passed away on Wednesday from coronavirus complications, his family confirmed. He was 76 years old.

Grossman’s 35 years in the entertainment industry began in the late 1960s, when acting aspirations brought him to New York City from his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. He understudied on Broadway, stage-managed at Circle in the Square Theatre, and worked for director Gil Cates.

A job offer brought Grossman, his wife, and newborn daughter to Hollywood in 1977. He served at Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises when it was among the busiest producers in television. In addition to Newhart, Grossman worked in production and post-production on numerous pilots and series, including The Betty White Show, Mary, and The Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour.

After leaving MTM in 1990, Grossman was active at numerous production companies, including Warner Bros., Paramount TV, Disney; Turner TV, Spelling Prods., NBC Prods., Carsey Werner Co., Steven Bocho Prods., and CBS Prods.

In the early 21st Century, Grossman served as copresident of The American Association of Producers. He was instrumental in the merger of that group with the Producer’s Guild of America, which at the time doubled its size to about 1,000 members. “It came at a time of huge transition in the production of content and the use of technology,” Grossman recalled for a trade paper.

Grossman’s activity at the PGA included helping launch the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; his daughter, Jennifer; a son-in law, Spencer Burke; and a grandson, Brenden, as well as two sisters and a brother.

Dennis Mathew Haggerty, 79, of Kingston, RI, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2022. He was the beloved father of Dennis and Andrew Haggerty.

Born in Santa Ana, California, he was the son of the late Gerald and Leonie (Navas) Haggerty. Dennis had a love for math and was a professor for many years at various colleges in New England, most recently CCRI. He was a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he received his M.S. in mathematics, and a graduate of the New York School of Visual Arts, where he obtained his M.F.A.

He loved taking pictures since he was a young man, first as an enthusiastic amateur and later as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He traveled regularly from Kingston to Daytona. Florida to photograph a local biker bar, the Boot Hill Saloon. His series on Boot Hill was prominently displayed at the URI library.

Almost everyone who knew him was impressed by his generosity and sense of humor. He came from an incredibly rich family background, and it deeply enhanced his understanding of life and the way he saw the world. Dennis enjoyed traveling, telling old stories, telling outrageous joke, going to the movies, going for bike rides, and going to the bookstore. He especially loved doing all these things with his children. His sons were his whole world and he loved them dearly.

In addition to his two sons, Dennis also leaves behind his uncle, renowned pianist Robert Page of New Jersey, as well as several cousins and friends.

Robert Neal Harvey of North Tustin, CA, passed away peacefully at home at age 80, enveloped in the love of his family. Neal was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of Zibie Newton Harvey and Alice Taylor Crux Harvey, an original Orlando family.

Neal attended Boone High School in Orlando and graduated with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering from M.I.T. in Boston, Mass., where he met Sheila McDevitt, his wife of 56 years. They married in 1966 and together had two children, Kimberly Ann Harvey and Bryan Patrick Harvey. While at M.I.T. Neal was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Neal began his professional career at General Motors Research Labs in Michigan where he began his lifelong research in automotive testing and developing instrumentation for measurement of auto emissions. This work led Neal around the world working with private manufacturers as well as government officials tasked with creating ever cleaner vehicles and reducing noxious air pollutants. Along the way Neal invented several processes and instruments critical to this process. Neal continued his scientific endeavors at Beckman Instruments in Fullerton, Ca. and Horiba Instruments in Irvine, Ca.

But life was not all work and no play, for Neal enjoyed the many family camping trips, ski vacations, international travel, golf outings, and times spent with close friends. His enjoyment of golf led Neal and Sheila to their vacation home in Palm Desert, Ca. at Ironwood Country Club.

Neal is survived by his wife Sheila, brother Larry C. Harvey of Orlando, son Bryan Harvey and wife Aisling Malone Harvey, grandchildren Bayla and Caelyn of San Francisco, and daughter Kimberly Ann Harvey of Corona Del Mar, Ca.

Services will be held Saturday, December 17th at 11:00 AM in the chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, Ca. Reception will follow at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s Resource Organization of Palm Desert, CA.

Former U.S. Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti, who investigated President Jimmy Carter’s brother while in the administration and who later became one of the nation’s most expensive private attorneys, has died. He was 87.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Civiletti died Sunday evening of Parkinson’s at his home in Lutherville, Maryland.

In a statement Monday night, Attorney General Merrick Garland, who worked at the Justice Department with Civiletti in 1979, hailed his former boss’s “skill, integrity and dedication.”

“I would describe myself as a hardworking lawyer with good judgment who gets things done,” Civiletti told the Baltimore Sun not long after he became, in 2005, the nation’s first lawyer to charge $1,000 an hour.

He considered one of these documents — the Principles of Federal Prosecution, a blueprint for when and how federal prosecutors would bring criminal cases — to be his most lasting contribution.

In his statement Monday, Garland said: “Attorney General Civiletti wrote into policy the norms established to ensure the Department’s independence, fair application of our laws, and adherence to the Rule of Law. Today, thanks in large part to him, those norms continue to guide the work of every Justice Department employee, every single day.”

Civiletti oversaw two legal efforts aimed at responding to the Iranian hostage crisis. With Americans held in Tehran, he put into action Carter’s order to deport Iranian immigrants in the country illegally. He also argued for the release of the hostages before the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

One of the last attorneys general to dispense with a bodyguard of FBI agents, Civiletti did not wrap himself in the trappings of high public office. Even as attorney general, he left the office alone nearly every day, at times whistling “As Time Goes By,” and he could be seen taking a public bus home. Occasionally, he was spotted shopping alone at downtown department stores on his lunch hour.

After leaving the Justice Department in January 1981, Civiletti resumed his legal career in Baltimore. He specialized in commercial litigation, banking, white-collar crime, government regulation and corporate governance.

After the National Law Journal reported that Civiletti billed clients at a rate of $1,000 an hour, he told the Baltimore Sun, “As a lawyer, I always said I couldn’t afford myself.”

In May 2006, Civiletti stepped down as chair of the 470-attorney firm Venable LLP, which by then was recording annual revenue of $239 million. He remained a member of the firm’s board and continued to practice as a corporate investigations attorney.

Benjamin Richard Civiletti was born July 17, 1935, in Peekskill, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Johns Hopkins University in 1957 and a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1961.

He was named an assistant U.S. attorney in Baltimore in 1962. Two years later he joined the Baltimore law firm of Venable, Baetjer & Howard, where he spent the next 13 years, becoming a partner and leading its litigation department.

Civiletti had been mentioned as a possible replacement for Bell several months before Bell resigned amid a Cabinet shakeup in July 1979. Unlike others among the five Cabinet officers who left, Bell had retained Carter’s favor — he had wanted to depart before the 1980 presidential campaign got underway — and was able to name his successor.

Civiletti, an avid golfer and gardener, was married to Gaile Lundgren; they raised two sons, Benjamin and Andrew, and a daughter, Lynne.

Mukhtar Thakur spent his life traveling the world, each time returning home with a desire to bridge divided communities.

The engineer worked in particular to connect Minnesota's South Asian and Muslim communities, and to promote political engagement.

Following a battle with Parkinson's disease, Thakur died at his Woodbury home on Oct. 7. He was 67.

Thakur was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, before living in London and Saudi Arabia. In the 1980s, he settled in the Twin Cities to raise his family. A graduate of the University of Wales in Swansea, he also earned a master's degree in management of technology from the University of Minnesota.

Thakur's daughter, Azra Thakur, described her father as a "community connector" who enjoyed watching the news and paying close attention to world events and politics.

"[He was] really caring about what people were experiencing in other parts of the world, and wanted to know," she said.

Often, Mukhtar Thakur was at the forefront of hosting or helping lead events to involve the Muslim community in political activism.

"He was out there doing it and trying to tell us how important it was that we engage in the politics around us, and getting to know our political representatives, and getting active in elections," said close friend Irfan Ali.

In 1991, Thakur started a KFAI radio program called "Sangam" with his longtime friend Sarjit Bains. The show played music from India, Pakistan and other South Asian communities for more than 30 years, ending last September.

"He did a tremendous amount for the community, both within the Muslim community from India, and then beyond that. So his interests were not myopic in any way," Bains said. "He was just one of those unique people who could bring people together when there were problems that had to be solved, and he did that across the spectrum."

During car rides to the radio station, Bains recalled, they would have deep conversations about family life, politics and their upbringings in different parts of the world.

Thakur also produced two TV shows: "Geetmala," a music-based program; and "Diversity in Focus," a program diving into diverse perspectives focused on immigrant communities.

In 2008, Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed Thakur to the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Thakur also served as a longtime member of the India Association of Minnesota.

Thakur spent his entire career at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), where he played a major role as an engineer for the design of the Hiawatha light rail line. He retired in 2019.

"Mukhtar spent many hours per day to ensure that the public got the best and safest transportation infrastructure. But he also found time to work for the opportunities, growth and success of MnDOT employees, some of whom were not in the mainstream," said Ed Clarke, a longtime friend who served with Thakur on MnDOT's diversity committee. "Mukhtar was highly intelligent and a skilled communicator, who was patient when he had to be, but always persistent. I'm sure he believed that some internal organizational struggles would always be there, but he did much to move the ball forward."

Thakur is survived by his wife, Rashida Thakur; children Azra Thakur of Woodbury, Nasra Thakur of Chicago, and Shakil Thakur of Roseville; and siblings Abida Hussein, Maryam Quadir and Ashfaq Thakur, who live in London.

Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, today announced the passing of Robert I. Toll, the Company’s Co-Founder, and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 81. Bob Toll was an iconic industry leader who leaves behind an incredible legacy as a founder of one of the nation’s largest home builders and most admired luxury brands.

"We are heartbroken by the passing of our founder, mentor, and dear friend,” said Douglas C. Yearley, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Toll Brothers. “All of us who were lucky enough to spend time with Bob have been forever impacted by his huge heart, unique sense of humor, zest for life, and profound intelligence. Bob was a brilliant strategist and an incredible teacher and advisor. His lessons have been indelibly etched over the past half century in the minds of the entire Toll Brothers team and many of the industry’s current and future leaders.”

Robert I. Toll was born in 1940 and raised in Elkins Park, a suburb of Philadelphia. After graduating from Cornell University and The University of Pennsylvania Law School, Bob practiced law for one year before founding Toll Brothers with his younger brother Bruce in 1967. Inspired by their father Albert, a home builder, the brothers built their first two colonial-style homes in suburban Philadelphia. "We built two homes. Instead of selling them, we used them as samples for the lots we owned down the street," recalled Bob. They became the Company’s first decorated luxury model homes, an innovative selling concept that is now a signature Toll Brothers strategy. With contracts in hand to build 20 more homes in the community, Toll Brothers was on its way. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1986, ultimately becoming a Fortune 500 company with $9 billion in annual home building revenues, and a presence that now spans over 60 markets in 24 states.

Bob served as Chairman and CEO of Toll Brothers from its founding until 2010 and remained on the Board of Directors thereafter until recently stepping back to Chairman Emeritus. Under Bob’s dynamic leadership and throughout its 55+ years in business, Toll Brothers has solidified its reputation as America’s Luxury Home Builder. Bob took pride in building communities on the best land in the most sought-after locations – “at the corner of Main & Main,” as Bob said, a phrase that is still widely used within the Company. Today over 150,000 families across the United States live in a Toll Brothers home.

During his illustrious career, Bob received numerous industry honors. He was named CEO of the Year by BUILDER magazine, Top CEO in the home building industry three times by Institutional Investor magazine and was twice named to Barron’s List of The World’s 30 Most Respected CEOs. In addition, the company he co-founded has been named the #1 World’s Most Admired Home Builder in FORTUNE magazine’s survey of the World’s Most Admired Companies® seven times, as well as Builder of the Year by BUILDER magazine and the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. In 2017, Bob and Bruce Toll were inducted into the BUILDER magazine Hall of Fame and together celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Company’s founding by ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

“One of the happiest days of my life was when Bob quit the practice of law and we joined together to start Toll Brothers, building what has become such a great company,” said Bruce. “While deeply saddened by his passing, I am forever grateful for our lives together as brothers and business partners.”  

Bob was known for the incredible passion, energy, and humor that he brought to every aspect of his life, whether he was pitching softball at the Company’s annual picnic, racing sailboats on Long Island Sound, skiing double black diamonds in Colorado, taunting his opponents on the tennis court or golf course, or jumping into a freezing cold lake with his family in Maine. He lived an incredibly full life, never putting off until tomorrow what he could do today.

Bob’s enthusiasm for the real estate business was surpassed only by his passion and love for his family. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Jane, their five children, and 12 grandchildren. “Our hearts go out to his family, whom he loved in ways my words could never describe,” said Yearley.

Bob and Jane also made philanthropy and social justice an integral part of their lives. In addition to their avid support of nonprofit organizations including the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society, they were hands-on leaders and supporters of numerous causes.

They were major benefactors of Seeds of Peace, an organization that brings together youth and educators from areas of conflict in the world to its camp in Maine. In addition to providing the land for the Seeds of Peace camp on the site of the former Camp Powhatan, which he attended as a young boy, Bob’s involvement in the program over the years ranged from serving on the Board of Directors to teaching boating skills to the campers. “Seeds of Peace is one of the few organizations that will actually make a difference, not just in the Middle East and South Asia, but to the whole world that is impacted by their conflicts,” said Bob of the organization. “If you can get a significant number of intelligent young adults to leave their environment, to bunk together, eat together, and go to conflict resolution sessions to discuss face-to-face their anger with their enemy, you have a tremendous opportunity to end the conflict. Those who have graduated from the program are today active within their communities, influencing politics at a high level and making a difference.”

In 1990, Bob and Jane worked with the Say Yes to Education Foundation to sponsor 58 third graders from William F. Harrity Elementary, an inner-city school in West Philadelphia. In addition to pledging to pay for their college or vocational school expenses, the Tolls sponsored various educational enrichment and mentoring programs for the kids throughout their school years and have continued to stay connected with many of them. “I hope I'm helping the city and the children, especially, and hope in 30 or 40 years they will be back here helping someone else,” Bob said at the time of the pledge. That hope has certainly come to fruition, as most of the students went on to higher education.

Bob was also dedicated to giving back to the educational institutions he attended by serving on the Boards of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the Cornell Real Estate Council. Along with supporting numerous other educational programs over the years, The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation recently pledged over $50 million to Penn Law to expand the Toll Public Interest Scholars and Fellows Program that supports students who are pursuing careers in public service and social justice. At the time of the announcement, Bob said: “Our goal is to greatly increase the number of students entering careers in public service. It’s my hope that this opportunity leads to even more tangible, positive change from future Law School graduates.”

Bob’s love of opera led to his decades-long support of The Metropolitan Opera, where he also served as a Board member. In November 2020, he was honored by the organization for his many corporate and philanthropic achievements, especially his dedication to sponsoring the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network which brings opera to millions of people around the world. The tribute included many of the Opera’s greatest international stars performing from their homes during the pandemic.

“Bob had such a profound impact on so many of us in so many unique ways,” said Yearley. “He lived an incredible life and leaves behind a tremendous legacy in his family, business, and philanthropy.”

The family plans to hold a private service to honor Bob’s life. In addition, Toll Brothers and his family will host a celebration of Bob’s life on a future date at the Company’s headquarters in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

Country singer Jody Miller has died aged 80 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Miller was most famous for her 1965 hit ‘Queen of The House’, and had countless hits and six Top Ten entries in the US Billboard Country Chart.

In a statement, Miller’s representative Jennifer McMullen said: “Jody Miller’s talent cannot be overstated.

“She had this innate, God-given ability to interpret and communicate with the most beautiful tones and inflection. She made it look and sound so easy that it sometimes takes a moment to realise the greatness of what you are hearing. But she was just as authentic and exceptional in her own life as she was on stage and on record.”

Born in Oklahoma, Miller signed to Capitol Records in 1962 and released debut album ‘Wednesday’s Child Is Full Of Woe’ the following year.

For ‘Queen Of The House’ – a response to Roger Miller’s ‘King Of The Road’ track – she won the Grammy for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance.

Posting on their Facebook page, Middle-Sister Music – the band of Miller’s daughter Robin Brook – wrote: “Middle Sister is sorry to announce the passing of Jody Miller this morning, music icon and mother of Robin Brooks. “Please remember the family as they deal with this great loss.”

The Academy Of Country Music Awards also paid tribute to Miller, writing: “The Academy is mourning the loss of two-time ACM Award nominee Jody Miller, perhaps best known for her 1965 Grammy-winning crossover hit ‘Queen Of The House’.

“Please join us in sending condolences to her family, friends, and countless fans.”

James Barnes "Jim" Ritter III passed away of Parkinson's-related pneumonia. He was at home in Mar Vista with his family. Jim was born in Middlesex, New Jersey and attended Haverford College. After graduating, he worked for almost 50 years in Chicago and Los Angeles in the advertising and experiential marketing industries. Thanks to his talent and dedication to his work, he developed a reputation as one of the best creative directors in the business. He was a mentor and friend to his colleagues.
Outside of work, Jim enjoyed travel, the outdoors, good food, music, literature, film, and quality television. Friends and family loved and admired him for his witty conversation, his compelling storytelling, his loyalty, and his kindness. Throughout his life, he repeatedly stepped up for his loved ones in difficult times, helping them solve hard problems and supporting them through rough patches. He is survived by his wife, Susan Ritter his son, Zachary Ritter, and countless other close friends and family members.

Veronica (Ronee) Harris, 77, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022, at her home in Gilford after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Ronee was born in Buffalo, NY, to James and Clara Lovas on June 24, 1945.

She was raised in Buffalo, NY and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Ronee moved to Rhode Island and started her family with her then-husband, Ronald Ridolfi, whom she met in college.  Ronee spent several years as a librarian at Jenks Junior High School in Pawtucket, RI. 

Always a lifelong learner, Ronee fulfilled her dream of becoming a lawyer in 1983, graduating from Suffolk Law School in Boston, MA.  Ronee then began working as an attorney for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, culminating her career as the Department’s Chief Legal Counsel.

After retiring, Ronee moved to Gilford, NH, with her husband Townes (Tim) Harris, where she enjoyed many happy years.  She spent winters in her home in Savanah, GA, enjoying the warm weather and the ability to pursue her hobbies.

Family was the most important thing to Ronee.  She was a wonderful mother to her daughters, Lisa (Ridolfi) Noe and Kristen (Ridolfi) Visnick.  Ronee was particularly close with her grandchildren, Jacob Noe, Zachary Noe, and Abigail Visnick, where she was known as their adventurous and fun-loving grandma She was loved so much and will be greatly missed.

Ronee is survived by her husband Tim, her daughters Lisa (Keith) Noe and Kristen (David) Visnick, her grandsons Jake and Zack, and her granddaughter Abby.  Ronee is further survived by Tim’s daughter Heather (Costante) Mancini and son James “Jamie” (Trisha) Harris, and Heather’s children Olivia and Giacomo and Jamie’s son Obi.  ln addition to her parents, Ronee is predeceased by her faithful companion Lance.

The man who spearheaded development of one of Darwin’s most successful commercial properties is remembered for his innovation and foresight. Kerry George Manolas died at the age of 84 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. 

Adored father and father-in-law of Geordie and Debbie, Anellie and Sachin, Elecia and Adam, beloved former husband of Patricia, cherished grandfather of Kary, Lucia, Luca, Niyati, Apollo, Darshan and Thorsten. Devoted brother to Pawleen and Theo. Greatly missed by his many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.