The Memorial Wall

Joseph Campanella, a versatile actor whose television career began in the 1950s on anthology series and continued for decades on shows like “Mannix,” “The Bold Ones” and “One Day at a Time,” died on Wednesday at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was 93.

His wife, Jill Campanella, said the cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease.

For many years, Mr. Campanella appeared to work to the point of ubiquity. Tall and lean, with wavy hair, he played doctors, lawyers, criminals, cops and judges, including one named Judge Joseph Camp on the TV show “The Practice” from 1998 to 2001.

He starred in “The Bold Ones: The Lawyers,” with Burl Ives and James Farentino, and “The Doctors and the Nurses,” with Michael Tolan. And he was a regular on the first season of “Mannix,” the long-running detective series starring Mike Connors, but left in 1968 when he was told that his role would be reduced.

Mr. Campanella found his stride as a frequent guest star. He was a crafty criminal suspected of planning a prison break in a 1966 episode of “The F.B.I.”; a cattleman on “Gunsmoke” in 1968; and Mary Richards’s hard-to-forget ex-boyfriend on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” five years later. And in eight episodes of the sitcom “One Day at a Time,” from 1976 to 1982, he played the ex-husband of Ann Romano, the character played by Bonnie Franklin, the star.

His workload was noticed in 1972 by one viewer who, according to an article in TV Guide, wrote to an executive producer asking, “Why must we see him or hear him everywhere else, wherever we turn on our TV set?”

In response, Mr. Campanella told the TV Guide interviewer, “An actor, like everyone else, must make bread for his family — and my wife and four sons eat a lot of bread.”

Joseph Anthony Campanella was born in Manhattan on Nov. 21, 1924, to Sicilian immigrant parents. His father, Philip, was a pianist. His mother, Maria (Onofria) Campanella, was a homemaker and dressmaker. Joseph graduated from Manhattan College in the Bronx with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, studied drama at Columbia University and served in the Philippines as second in command of a Landing Craft Infantry ship.

A skillful baseball player, Mr. Campanella was offered a contract by a low-level New York Giants minor-league team in Georgia, but turned it down, preferring to pursue an acting career.

After nearly a decade of television work, he had roles in three Broadway shows in the early 1960s. For one, “A Gift of Time,” with Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland, he was nominated for a Tony Award as best featured actor in a play. And while appearing in another, the short-lived musical “Hot Spot” (1963), he met Jill Bartholomew, a singer and dancer in the chorus of the show. They married in 1964.

In his review, Howard Taubman of The New York Times called Mr. Campanella “engaging” in a role that required him to sing. “An Ezio Pinza, I wasn’t,” he told TV Guide, referring to the opera singer who starred in “South Pacific.” “But at least I got the girl.”

In addition to his roles in theatrical films like “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” (1967) and “Ben” (1972), Mr. Campanella did television commercials for BMW, Maybelline, Napa Auto Parts, Quaker State Motor Oil and Dash dog food; narrated “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” and various National Geographic documentaries; and hosted a revival of “This Is Your Life” in the 1983-84 season.

He also appeared in several soap operas, including “The Guiding Light,” “Days of Our Lives” and, most recently, from 1996 to 2005, “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Among his last acting roles was as an arbitrator in a 2001 episode of “Star Trek: Voyager.”

In addition to his wife, Mr. Campanella is survived by his sons, Philip, Robert, Joseph Jr., Dominic, Anthony, John and Andrew, and eight grandchildren. His brother, Frank, also an actor, died in 2006

Royce Yust passed away April 24, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was at home with his wife Kay O’Hara and her son Kevin Gorden. He was the third child of Raymond and Veronica Struckhoff-Yust. He is preceded in death by his parents, older sister Barbara Hopen, and stepdaughter Laura Gorden. His brothers Raymond (Carmita), Dan (Ruby) and sister Beverly Whitworth (Allen) survive him as well as his children by his former wife (Bonnie Schulte Yust), Royce Lee and Stacy Terbrock (Greg), five grandchildren (Jessica and Jamie Yust and Clayton, Austen and Mitchell Terbrock), and Kay’s son Kevin Gorden. He will be mourned by all of them and many, many other friends and relatives.

Royce was employed by the Ladue School District in 1959. His skill set in the trades along with his ability to organize, supervise and motivate led to his selection as Facilities Director in 1964. The thousands of square feet of buildings and hundreds of acres of grounds were maintained perfectly for 35 years until he retired in 1994. During that period of time, he earned the utmost respect of staff, students, board members, and constituents. Early on friends learned he was a relentless competitor. When hunting it was he who took home the pouch full of game. When skeet shooting it was not how many he hit but how few he missed. And if playing golf with him in a certain tournament he would be the winner of the green jacket.

Royce was a gentleman, a true friend, a fine human being, and a family man.

RIP Royce

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 5 p.m. at All Saint’s Catholic Church in St. Peters, Missouri with a reception following in the church annex.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Parkinson’s Resource Organization.
 

Richard Bernard Kranzdorf, aged 80, passed away on April 17, 2018, at Bob & Corky’s assisted living home in San Luis Obispo.

Early in life when Parkinson’s disease was unforeseen Richard said he wanted four words to mark his tombstone: “he gave a damn.” His wish became a self-fulfilling prophecy: his life made a positive difference to so many.

Born in New York City, the only child of Fannie and Joseph Kranzdorf, he grew up with loving parents and a close extended family of Schulman and Kranzdorf relatives, located in New York, Pennsylvania, and southern California. Add to good roots his innate qualities and you have the man Richard became: curious, puckish, idealistic, empathetic, trusting, and scrupulous.

Like many of his generation, he sought advancement through education. After obtaining a Bachelors of Arts in 1958 and a Masters of Arts in 1959 from the University of Pennsylvania, he worked as an editor in Boston. Two years later he decided to pursue a doctorate in Political Science from UCLA, which was awarded in 1974. His passion for the piano and music, nourished by his mother, remained an avocation.

In 1971 a fortuitous event changed his life. Attending a west coast conference, he learned that Cal Poly had an open teaching position in the Political Science department. He received the position and began a new chapter. In Richard’s words, “The boy from New York City found nirvana in San Luis Obispo.” He loved teaching, the company of colleagues, and his beautiful hometown.

The list of what Richard cared about is extensive: social justice, the students that he taught as a Political Science professor at Cal Poly from 1971 to 2008, and the town of SLO. Over the decades he partnered with kindred spirits, the Sierra Club, environmentalists, and city officials to help maintain the town’s quality of life. An incomplete record reveals the extent of his activism: statements to the City Council, letters to newspaper editors, radio broadcasts, and many speeches at critical events. Besides civil persuasion, he marched, protested, and supported worthwhile causes and candidates. He was progressive in its classic meaning: “an advocate of better conditions who employs liberal ideas and embraces new and experimental methods to effect change.” His contribution was best summarized by a friend: “SLO would not be the same without Richard.”

In 1961 he joined the Peace Corps and began his travels in Africa, teaching journalism and piano at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka for two years. Later, he said of the Peace Corps stint that it made him a more empathetic university teacher. He went on to travel around the world. Some trips, like his Fulbrights to Pakistan, Poland, and Hungary and teaching semesters in Cal Poly’s London program, had an academic focus; others were simply for pleasure. A lovely scroll that lists these trips attests to his amazing energy and love of adventure.

Unconventional, Richard spent his time and money on what he deemed important: causes, travel, and people in need. He indulged himself in simple pleasures: concerts, films at the Palm theatre, running, his men’s group, getting together with friends, keeping in touch with distant loved ones, food, outdoor activities, books, and newspapers.

His contributions to the world are noteworthy but what made him special was personal: his reflexive decency, his incredible kindness to others, and his ability to savor and share the moment. He shared and gave pleasure to so many people.

Richard anchored his active life with family, a wide circle of cherished friends, and colleagues. At a birthday celebration and well-attended ‘roast’ in 2012, he said with arms extended in an embrace, “I have no wife or children; you are my family.” His SLO ‘family’ — along with a caring, attentive fiduciary and many loving caregivers prolonged and enriched his last years. Even as Parkinson’s eroded his body and mind, Richard would say, “I’m a lucky man.” This characteristic gratitude explains why he was surrounded by people who cared for, and about him, until the end.

What will linger in memory is his essence: his warm, deep, welcoming voice, the throaty chuckle that emanated when he saw you, the way he threw his head back in delight when making a clever retort, and his smile so wide that it crinkled the skin around his eyes. Rest in peace, dear Richard; you will be sorely missed.

Predeceased by his second wife, Ilona Ing, who died in 2008, he is survived by remaining loving cousins and their families and by many devoted former colleagues and friends in SLO and elsewhere.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 4:00 pm, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Congregation Beth David. Your contacting sherri39@charter.net if you plan to attend would be greatly appreciated.

In the 1970s, David Letterman baby-sat her children and Jay Leno slept on the back stairs of her Sunset Strip club, where Jim Carrey later tended the door.

Mitzi Shore was “the den mother of some berserk Cub Scout pack,” as Letterman once said — one that brimmed with a breathtaking array of now-famous comics who broke through because she tapped them to perform.

Shore, who was regarded as the godmother of comedy in Los Angeles and whose Comedy Store was one of the most important showcases for stand-up in the country, died Wednesday, according to a statement from the Comedy Store. She was 87.

“Mitzi was an extraordinary businesswoman and decades ahead of her time who cultivated and celebrated the artistry of stand-up comedy. She was also a loving mother, not only to her own four children, but to the myriad of comedians who adored her. She leaves behind an indelible mark and legacy and has helped change the face of comedy. We will all miss her dearly,” the statement said.

Shore long battled Parkinson’s disease and had been in hospice care for some time. (No official cause of death has been given.) Her son, actor Pauly Shore, had been helping care for her and tweeting updates about her final days.

On Thursday, April 5, 2018, Elva C. Gonzalez, 84, went home to be with her loving Husband, Federico B. Gonzalez, and our Lord Jesus Christ. She was born in Donna, Texas but moved to California at the age of 14. She is survived by her 6 children, Olga S. Castro, Linda S. Alvarez (Vince) Ida S. Ochoa, Federico C. Gonzalez (Karen), Lorena Gonzalez, Yvonne Gonzalez (Tony), 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Also, her sister, Esperanza Hernandez. She was preceded in death by her husband, Federico, parents, Antonio and Dolores, Sisters, Juanita, Margarita, Angela, Elida and brothers, Manuel and Antonio. Elva was a hardworking, loving mother and businesswoman.

From the age of 9, she worked to support her family. For most of her young adulthood, she worked in the agriculture industry as a foreman. With the love and support of her husband she opened and successfully owned/operated several small businesses in the Coachella Valley. She also served as a planning commissioner for the City of Coachella and was in charge of organizing the fiestas mexicanas held in the City of Coachella. She worked at the Riverside County courthouse for several years as an interpreter. She retired from Riverside County Nutrition Program as the Nutrition Supervisor for the Coachella Senior Center. Of all her accomplishments, her greatest joy was her family and helping others.

She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Services will be held to honor her memory on Wednesday, April, 11, 2018 from 5:00pm-9:00pm at Forest Lawn in Coachella with a rosary to be held at 6:00pm.

Mass will be Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in Coachella at 11:00 interment at Coachella Valley Cemetery. Services under the direction of Forest Lawn

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Parkinson’s Resource Organization Parkinsonsresource.org or mail to 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 104, Palm Desert, Ca 92260

1930 - 2018 La Quinta, CA., Mel Benjamin. Loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side on March 30th. Born in Detroit, Mel's family moved to California when he was five. He grew up in the Santa Monica beach area where he excelled in and loved swimming. He was in the 1948 Olympics in England. A veteran of WWII and the Korean war. He attended Santa Monica CC, UCLA, and Otis Art Institute. An accomplished artist who designed the original souvenirs for Disney to be sold at Disneyland. He was a painter, sculptor, published author, successful businessman, musical talent, and exceptional humorist. A special man, humble, kind, and a person who lived by the golden rule. He was gifted with an enormous capacity for making those around him laugh. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Sandi, his son Kurt (Jill) and daughters Janis (Ken) and Nikki, and five grandchildren, Dakota, Jonathan, Jessica, Paige, and Graham. He loved his family with every fiber and to his wife, he gave an undying love that shall live on with her forever.

Born January 7, 1949 – Lafayette, Indiana

Entered Heaven March 15, 2018 – Anaheim, California

Dave was the oldest of five children, born to Jeff and Agnes.  He is survived by his siblings, Greg (Lorna), Holly, Cheryl (Paul), and Kimberly (Luis), and their extended families.

Dave is also survived by his father, Jeff, and Jeff’s wife, Anita; Dave’s wife, Sally; Son, Jeff, his wife, Valerie, and their three children, Charlotte, Violet, and Desmond; daughter, Amanda, her husband, Nick, and their two children, James and Noah.  

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Parkinson’s Resource Organization.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

–2 Timothy 4:7-8

Palm Springs - James Clayton Taylor passed away peacefully on November 2, 2018 at the age of 91. Known as Clayton to his family and friends, he was a resident of Palm Springs for 57 years. Born and raised in Mississippi, he was the third child of Jimmie Lewers Taylor and James Edgar Taylor. Upon graduation from high school, Clayton joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Radioman and Tail gunner. Shortly after his honorable discharge in 1946 he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D.C. and became a Special Agent. It was there he met and married Frances Coore with whom he had three children. During his distinguished career in the F.B. I. he was assigned to offices in Miami, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles. In 1961 he was assigned to open and establish the Palm Springs Resident Agency for the F.B.I. Upon moving his family to Palm Springs, he developed relationships with local law enforcement and proceeded to work on cases involving organized crime, fugitives, kidnappings, bankruptcy and bank fraud, and crimes on the 29 Palms Marine base. Within months of opening the Palm Springs office he was working on over 100 cases. During his time in the F.B.I. he had the opportunity to meet the following Presidents and former Presidents: Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. He retired from the F.B.I. in 1978 and then went to work for Thrifty Corporation as the Regional Manager of Loss Prevention, a position he held for 15 years.

Clayton was an active member in the Society of Former Special Agents of the F.B. I. and was an original member of the Purple Gang of Palm Springs. He was also an avid golfer and, through the years, worked as a volunteer for various charitable golf tournaments.

Clayton was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, in 2009. In 2014 he married Cynthia Campbell. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, his children Thomas Taylor, Kathryn Taylor, Jane Wang and her husband Sang Pao, and his grandson Thomas Wang.

Clayton will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor, his love of life, and his dedication and devotion to his family and friends.
 

Bertram Kermit Massing, 84, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2018, after a long, happy, and fulfilling life.

Bert is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis; his children Greg Massing, Robert Massing, and Lisa Aronson; and his grandsons Harrison, Luke, and Jake.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933, Bert moved with his mother to Los Angeles in August 1948 and attended L.A. High School. In 1955, he graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Accounting. From February 1955 through October 1960 – except for 21 months he served in the U.S. Army – he worked at the public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse where he became a CPA. He attended night school at the University of Southern California Law School, graduating in 1960. While at USC, he was a top student in the Tax Law class taught by Professor John W. Ervin, who invited Bert to join his law firm, Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, upon graduation. Bert spent his entire law career there, retiring in 2016, having created and led the firm’s Corporate Law Department. He specialized in corporate governance, public and private finance, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance with securities laws.

Bert was an active member of the American Jewish Committee for over thirty years, serving on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles regional chapter and as a member of AJC’s National Board of Governors. He was active in and served on the Board of Directors of the UCLA Alumni Association, from 1974 to 1976 as Vice President, and from 1980 to 1982 as General Counsel. Bert also served on the Board of Directors of the UCLA Friends of Jazz. Bert was a lifelong Dodgers fan (with a faint memory of his love for the Cleveland Indians), and loved music, especially jazz, and theater. His favorite musical was “My Fair Lady.” Donations in his memory may be made to the American Jewish Committee, Los Angeles Chapter; the Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO)

Roger Bannister, the British runner who raised the bar for athletes all over the world by breaking the four-minute mile in 1954, has passed away at the age of 88, his family said Sunday.

Bannister died in Oxford “surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them,” relatives said in a statement. A medical student at the time of his historic record in 1954, when he completed a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds—a feat previously thought impossible—he went on to lead a distinguished medical career but later suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

Speaking to the Associated Press of his record-breaking run in 2012, he said, “It became a symbol of attempting a challenge in the physical world of something hitherto thought impossible. I’d like to see it as a metaphor not only for sport, but for life and seeking challenges.”