The Memorial Wall

Private family services will be held for Louis “Lou” Florimonte who passed away on March 18th, he was 86 years old.Lou was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, to Italian American parents. Lou was not yet five when his father died, plunging his family into poverty and hardship during the years of WWII. The middle of three boys, he developed resourcefulness and courage to forge ahead despite uncertainty. Following his graduation from High School in 1955, he joined the Air Force and became a trainer in missile guidance systems until his discharge in 1959. Lou then worked in a sink manufacturing company before attending college at Pennsylvania State University.

In 1968 he met his future wife, Alexandra Kissinger, in a theater workshop and after one date, they were married outdoors, streamside, in Fisherman’s Paradise, Pennsylvania.While at PSU studying Journalism, he wrote several well-received plays, which inspired him to change his focus to writing. He earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism and an MA in theater. During this time, Lou and Alex also had two boys, Arik and Cory. Becoming a father was one of the most cherished roles Lou took on and he tried to give to his children all that had been lacking in his own life.

Lou worked at the television station WPSX at Penn State for several years, writing, directing, and producing, but without the creative freedom he sought.So, in 1972, drawn by the opportunity to develop his own program, he took a teaching position at the Lindenwood Colleges in St. Charles, Missouri, where he served as head of the theater program and chairman of Communications Arts. During that time, several of his plays were produced off-off Broadway and in other cities.

In 1977 he moved his family to Valencia, California where he earned an MFA at the California Institute of the Arts. In 1979 he was invited to teach at CalArts in the Theater School and in 1984 co-founded the Directing for Theater, Video and Cinema program with Alexander MacKendrick and Gill Dennis. Lou was program head from 1994 until his retirement.

Lou was a beloved teacher and mentor. He truly enjoyed working with students, valuing their energy and fresh ideas, and he would often see more in a student’s work than the student would ever recognize themselves. He rigorously imparted the rules and traditions of filmmaking, in part to prepare his students to understand when to break them. He was continually learning from his students as well: while he held strong opinions about storytelling technique and would challenge his students intellectually, he would freely admit when a student’s idea was better. His students went on to make art that spoke authentically and beautifully, and Lou remained close to many of them long after his retirement.

Lou gave profoundly of himself to his family, his students, and all those he loved. He would turn the whole of his attention and empathy on you without judgment. It didn’t matter what led to the problem, he had a knack for helping you to clarify it and find a way forward.Lou and Alex kept a welcoming home and drew many people into their lives, creating a dynamic community of extended family and friends who felt like family. They’d often look after nieces and nephews for a week at a time while their parents traveled. And as friends of his sons would attest, their house was often a late-night hub where teenagers could drop in and still feel rebellious and adventuresome, while in reality remaining safe and well-fed.Lou was an avid cook, particularly of Italian cuisine. He prepared huge feasts, frequently inviting students over for parties, or hosting Italian Christmas dinners with seven fishes, and even a 150-person lasagna banquet for Arik’s track team (after being volunteered without his knowledge). But his generosity and culinary expertise also combined in small moments. Anyone arriving at Lou’s home at any hour with even a hint of hunger would soon be served a steaming plate of linguini with clams, or a pizza with homemade dough he just happened to have on hand. Lou was an operatic cook, and usually turned the kitchen into a dramatic whirlwind of barely contained chaos.

In 2005 he retired from CalArts and he and Alex moved to Denver to be near Alex’s father and their lifelong friends Ed and Sallie Baierlein. Lou loved golfing with Ed, helping in Ed’s theater, and hosting many who came to visit. Lou and Alex traveled four times to Italy, exploring it together from north to south and visiting the ancestral hometowns of Lou’s father and mother. He particularly enjoyed taking pasta-making classes in Bologna and meeting up with his sons and their families at various points. After Alex’s father passed away in 2011 and Lou was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they moved to Santa Cruz, California, to be closer to family, including their new grandson, Shane.Lou doted on his grandson. He often spoke of feeling like a child inside, which was evident as he wrestled and invented silly games with Shane when he was little. Later, Lou attended Shane’s little league games, and they made pasta and sausage and went fishing together. He wrote a delightful trilogy of books for Shane, about a boy named Petey who is visited by a rebellious alien named Buzz. Lou was especially thrilled with Shane’s interest in film and storytelling, although he restrained himself, citing his teaching mantra “no information before need.” But his excitement was tangible as he began to mentor Shane’s growing interest in filmmaking.

Lou’s love of writing and cooking continued throughout his life, even though Parkinson’s disease made these pursuits progressively more difficult. He worked on his memoirs, and often helped former students with their projects. He continued cooking for his family bread, pasta, and Italian desserts even in the last months of his life. And he took up new hobbies such as acrylic painting and creating garden art. He faced the challenges of Parkinson’s with courage, grace, and defiance, sup- ported by Alex’s love and her generous, meticulous care- giving.In February he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and chose not to pursue invasive treatments, his death following one month later.

Lou lived his whole life with courage, intentionality, and love. Perhaps it was these qualities that allowed him to live even the challenging final years of his life with such fortitude.Lou left this world better than he found it in every way that matters, and his family remembers him with an abundance of gratitude. Alex cherishes the memories of golden afternoons in Italy’s piazzas and the many road trips they took. Arik and Cory carry on Lou’s creativity, sense of humor, and confidence in taking on difficult challenges. Shane is inspired to continue his storytelling legacy. His daughters-in-law, Claire and Cynthia, have thrived in the light of his unconditional love. Lou is also survived by his brother Joseph Florimonte, brother-in-law David Kissinger, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.Preceding him in death were his father, Louis Florimonte Sr, his mother, Anna (DiNardo) Mancini, stepfather Rocco Mancini, brother Ralph Florimonte, sister Angela (Mancini) Maizie, stepbrother Vincent Mancini, and his niece Laura (Florimonte) Navarette.

Fran Drescher’s dad, Morty Drescher, died at age 94 on March 20.

Fran, 66, reacted to the loss in a statement shared with Us Weekly via her rep one week later.

“My beloved father Morty passed away gently in his sleep in the early hours of Mar 20th surrounded by my mother and I. Although he was 94.5, it still feels untenable how permanent the loss of this great man is,” the Nanny star began.

Fran went on to speak at length about her father’s admirable qualities.

“His values were always in the right place. He honored and respected everyone equally. He understood the important things in this life, love of family, simple pleasures and living in gratitude. He passed these values onto his children and lived an exemplary life,” she wrote. “Always, the life of the party, he was funny and smart. Known within our circles of family and friends to always recite Casey At The Bat, one of his favorite poems.”

The actress also mentioned some of her father’s interests, which included swimming and “sports of all kinds,” and praised him for being a good friend, husband and father.

He was a good friend to many people both at work and within his community. He was an amazing father who taught my sister [Nadine Drescher] and I to swim, ride a bicycle and drive a car. He was the best husband to my mom [Sylvia Drescher] and remained madly in love with her until his last breath,” she wrote.

In the wake of her father’s death, Fran skipped the New York Women in Film & Television’s 44th annual Muse Awards for Vision and Achievement on Wednesday, March 27, where she was slated to accept an award. One of her SAG-AFTRA colleagues accepted the honor on Fran’s behalf, with the star sending a message honoring Morty and apologizing for her absence.

Fran, who has been President of SAG-AFTRA since 2021, credits her father with the skills she used while presiding over negotiations during the union’s historic months-long strike last year.

“[My dad was] a systems analyst, I inherited his analytical mind which I referenced throughout my leadership as sag-aftra president, especially during the strike,” she said in her statement. “I am so happy he got to see me not only achieve success as an actor but even more important as a labor leader because doing volunteer work on behalf of the greater good was the ethics by which he raised me.”

Fran, who noted that Morty was “very proud of both of his daughters’ accomplishments”, concluded the statement: “If there is a heaven, he’s there now because he lived purely, honestly and lovingly.”

The comedian previously spoke about her father’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease during a December 2023 essay for The Daily Beast.

“[He] has gone from once being a white-collar systems analyst and very athletic to, at 94, now being an invalid, barely able to transfer from bed to wheelchair or take a brief supervised walk with his walker,” she wrote.

Fran then praised her mom, Sylvia, 89, for taking such good care of Morty.

“Without question, the only reason he is still alive and has quality of life is because of my mother’s commitment to preserving that quality of life,” she penned. “When he remembers something that she can’t, she praises him profusely on how smart he is. That’s what she was most attracted to about him.”

Fran has also been open about how cannabis helped her father cope with the chronic degenerative disorder.

“He went from having that expressionless look that Parkinson’s patients often get where it’s kind of a dull life, to a positive reaction within seconds upon using cannabis,” she said during a 2018 interview with Forbes. “His whole face became animated, his voice became strong, his eyes opened up, and my dad was back to being himself.”

Morty made several appearances on The Nanny over the years, portraying both Fran’s fictional father, Morty Fine, and Fran’s uncle Stanley Fine. He also appeared on two episodes of the WB sitcom Living With Fran in 2005.

More recently, Morty participated in the 2020 REELZ television special Fran Drescher: In My Own Words alongside Sylvia.

“My mom’s in her eighties, my dad just turned 90. I asked for all the footage because [they were interviewed] for hours. To have that for posterity, that alone was worth doing it,” Fran told TV Insider in 2020 of her parents’ participation in the film.

BLUE HILL, MAINE—Christopher B. Nelson died on March 28, 2024, from advanced Parkinson’s disease.

Chris was born in Winchester, Mass., on June 16, 1936, the son of John and Kathleen Nelson. He grew up in Quincy and went on to earn a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from MIT in 1958. Young daughters of his family’s friends set him up with his future wife, Roberta “Bobbie” Martin. She was the love of his life, and they married in June of 1960.

Chris retired in 2001 after 36 years of service with the federal government, first at the Lexington Lab (HHS), and then with the newly established EPA in Washington, D.C. In its Department of Radiation Programming, he was an expert in modeling radioisotope transport and estimating radiation dose and risk from exposure. His work provided an important basis for EPA’s radiation protection regulations and their guidance to other agencies and the public. In addition to his own work, he was an integral part of Bobbie’s ministry, from co-writing curricula to teaching Sunday school.

In 2001 he and Bobbie built their dream home on the Bagaduce River. Chris volunteered at the Sedgwick Elementary School, tutoring students in math and listening to them read. He sang with the Bagaduce Chorale for many years and served as their treasurer for several years. He was an active participant in town meetings.

Chris enjoyed sailing, kayaking, traveling, reading and keeping up with the news. He and his wife were lifelong proponents of social justice.

In 2015 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As the disease progressed, he moved to Parker Ridge Assisted Living where he received wonderful care and support from the staff.

Chris was predeceased by his wife of 54 years and is survived by their daughters Heather of Surry, Maine, Jennifer of Portland, Maine, Joy and her husband John Saams of Gambrills, Md.; their three grandchildren: Jack Saams and his wife Margaret Zelenski, James Saams and his wife Franki Wilson, and Julia Saams of Md.; and his brother John Nelson and his wife Irene of Amherst, Mass. He was predeceased by his brothers Peter and Mark.

Following a 16-year roller-coaster journey through various bouts of cancer and Parkinson's disease, Christopher Miller, 69yo, died on April 19, 2024 with his husband William "Bill" Stanley at his side. We are bereft at the loss of this wonderful man.

Christopher was born In Kalamazoo, MI where he maintained lifelong friendships, but made Louisville his home. He was a talented, intelligent, creative soul whose love for art and nature was instilled by his parents at a young age. At 17, he got his first job working with people with disabilities. He would continue to be inspired by the disability community and support their causes throughout his life. When in his late 30s, he adopted an eight-year-old boy, being one of the first single men in Kentucky to do so. His son Gary would give him a beautiful granddaughter, Amaree, who was the light of his life.

While Christopher spent much of his career as a successful fundraiser for nonprofits with a focus on the arts and humanities, he will be remembered by his friends and family as a gifted watercolor artist, poet, and pianist; a magnificent cook; and a consummate host who opened his home to all. He enjoyed spending time with Bill on beautiful Lake Michigan and traveling internationally. He fell in love with Portugal while working on an archeological dig there and returned often, making new friends each time. He was also a tornado magnet, narrowly escaping three.

Ever thoughtful, Christopher loved hosting gatherings where good food, wine, conversation, and laughter were shared in abundance. His eclectic mix of friends and family remember fondly his Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, which often included his piano rendition of “Diamonds and Rust.” He made us laugh, knew how to wear a good hat, and beat us mercilessly at Spelling Bee. He will be missed fiercely and always for his wit, generosity, integrity, and deep friendship. We will continue to feel his soul, hear his laughter, and walk in many memories that will sustain us.

In addition to his husband Bill, Christopher is survived by his grandchildren Amaree Skye Miller and Brayden Speed; sisters Pamela Pardue Stevens and Nancy MacKenzie; niece and nephews Ray Pardue, Chamisa MacKenzie, Dave Jurgens, and Gerry MacKenzie; and great nephew, David MacKenzie, as well as by his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Jan Miller, and his son, Gary Miller.

Bruce Richard McGrath, 71, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at his Denver home with his family by his side after a 13-year battle with Parkinson’s.

Bruce was born December 21, 1952, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Forrest and Patricia McGrath. His family moved to Denver in 1954. Bruce loved spending his life in Denver and Vail. He was an avid skier and car enthusiast who enjoyed racing cars. He was also passionate about biking and playing golf at Cherry Hills Country Club.

In 1976, Bruce graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Business. Prior to that, Bruce graduated in 1972 from Kent Denver School / Denver Country Day. Bruce was a member of several organizations including Young Presidents Organization and YPO Gold Rocky Mountain. Bruce bought Elder Equipment in 1986 and started Canyon State Bus Sales in 2004, which he owned and operated until 2020.

Bruce was a longstanding philanthropist in his community. Bruce was passionate about supporting education with generous support to Kent Denver School and UC Health Anschutz. Bruce proudly served cumulatively 18 years on the Board of Trustees at Kent Denver School. He also loved animals and supported the Denver Zoo and the Dumb Friends League.

Bruce is survived by his son, Michael (Hadley) McGrath and grandsons, Grayson McGrath and Conrad McGrath; sisters Ann Peña, Lindsey (Tom) McGrath and Tracey McGrath.

Bruce will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, his love for his family and friends, and his endless generosity.