The Memorial Wall

Hilton McConnico, the noted artist and set designer who collaborated with a series of major fashion houses, has died in Paris. He was 74. McConnico, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, passed away in the company of close friends on January 29.

A noted aesthete, the Tennessee-born McConnico was probably most famous for his set direction of some 20 feature films, most notably 'Diva', Jean-Jacques Beineix’s 1981 César-award-winning stylish thriller.

In his earlier days in Paris, he worked in fashion for both Yves Saint Laurent and Ted Lapidus; before becoming better known for his artistic collaborations. Several pieces from his Cactus collection for Daum crystal-maker were presented by French president François Mitterrand to US president George H. W. Bush as a gift of state. McConnico was also the first American to have his work inducted into the Louvre’s Decorative Arts collection.

Latterly, he collaborated with Hermès on the brand’s museum in Tokyo, inside the Renzo Piano-designed building in Ginza. In 2005, he was awarded the  Talent de l’Audace prize from the Sommet du Luxe et de la Création, in recognition of an outstanding career.

Mr. Randolph O’Neal, age 78, of Higgston, died Sunday, January 28, 2018, in The Oaks - Bethany in Vidalia, after an extended illness.  He was a native of Montgomery County, attended school in Kibbee, and was a 1957 graduate of Montgomery County High School.  He was a member of the McGregor Presbyterian Church, where he served in several capacities, and was a U.S. Navy veteran serving on the USS Braine.  He began his telephone career with Pacific Telephone Company in San Diego, California, then transferred to Southern Bell and American Telephone in Georgia, and retired after thirty-five years of service.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin O. O’Neal and Johnnie Adelaide Fulghum.

Mr. O’Neal is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Sandra “Sandy” Pope O’Neal; son, James Marvin O’Neal and wife Gloria, and a grandson, Andrew O’Neal.

Funeral serves were held Wednesday, January 31st at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne McDaniel officiating.  Burial will follow in the McCrimmon Cemetery.

A special thanks to the staff at The Oaks Bethany on the West Wing, for their love and care of our husband, father and grandfather.

John J. Kerrigan 73, Jan. 21st.

Beloved husband of Mary Ann (nee Cook) Loving father of John and Mary Margaret Kerrigan. Devoted son of the late John Kerrigan (from Co. Mayo) and Margaret (nee Christie, from Co. Roscommon). Uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Former Teacher at Kenwood High School, Retired Consultant for Allstate, and Professor at National-Louis University.

Lois Ann Pierce, 60, of Framingham, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2017 after a long battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy. Lois was the
beloved wife of Scott Face, cherished daughter of the late Frank Pierce and Jean Ciardelli, and best friend and loving sister of Linda DeFruscio-Robinson and her husband Greg Robinson.

Lois was a greatly skilled hair stylist and proprietor of Shears Hair Salon in Framingham, MA. Her clients, friends, and relatives, cherished her for
her kindness, graciousness, and keen wit. Lois enjoyed photography, traveling, good food, and her pets, two birds and cat.
Her family would like to thank all of Lois’ dedicated healthcare team. A special appreciation is also extended to Lois’ special friends for their loving care. They also would like to acknowledge her husband Scott’s unyielding and unconditional love and devotion over the past several years. Lois’ spirit will surely be missed. She was one of our greatest treasures.

Luther Hayes, who won a pair of NCAA triple jump titles in the early 1960s while at USC and also played a key role in the Trojans’ 1958 football game against UCLA, died on Nov. 23 in Palos Verdes Estates due to natural causes. He was 78.

Hayes came to USC from San Diego’s Lincoln High (he previously had attended San Diego High), where he was on the football, basketball and track teams. He was All-City in football and was the 1957 state long jump champion.

The 6-3, 195-pound Hayes was a two-sport star at USC, lettering in football in 1958-60 and track and field in 1959-61.

Hayes was a two-way end in football at USC. His 74-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 6:50 to play in the 1958 UCLA game (and the Trojans’ ensuing two-point conversion) tied the game at 15-15, which was the final score. He had 14 career receptions at USC, including a team-best nine for 179 yards with two touchdowns in 1959 when he also made 44 tackles on defense to earn All-American honorable mention and All-Conference second team honors. As a sophomore in 1958, he had four catches for 68 yards along with 27 tackles and an interception. An injury slowed him during his 1960 senior campaign.

He was on Trojan track teams that won the conference championship all three of his years and captured the 1961 NCAA team title (USC was the NCAA runner-up in 1960). He won the NCAA triple jump crown in 1960 and 1961, becoming the first man to win a pair of NCAA titles in the event that was then called the hop, step and jump. His 51-2 ¼ leap in 1961 was an NCAA Meet record. He also was second in the 1961 NCAA long jump (then called the broad jump). He was ranked 10th in the world in the triple jump in 1961. He also captured the conference triple jump and long jump crowns in 1960 and 1961, setting a USC record while winning the 1961 triple jump (51-9 ½). It was 27 years before another man won both of those league events in the same year.

Going pro

In 1961, Hayes was selected in the 10th round of the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and the 27th round of the AFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He spent the 1961 season with his hometown Chargers, their first in San Diego, where he had 14 receptions with three touchdowns.

After his playing career, he was a teacher in the Los Angeles City School District and coached at Crenshaw High, California State University, Northridge and Los Angeles City College, where he also was an academic counselor.

Hayes is survived by his wife, Anita, daughters Andrea Jordan and Crystal Hill and son Luther, as well as sisters Mary Jones and LaVerne Perkins and four grandchildren.

Beloved Board member of PRO, Elina never let her advanced Parkinson’s stand in the way of her deep involvement with our organization.

Her generosity, her spirit and her loving nature will be remembered by all who knew her including her family in Finland and many dear friends in Los Angeles. Special sentiments and Contributions to PRO in her memory would be especially meaningful.

Robert was born May 11, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Margaret & Weldon Vinyard. At 18 he joined the navy serving on the U.S.S. Hambleton, a destroyer mine sweeper as a gunners mate.

Bob was a capable man of many talents. He once dismantled a 1946 Cadillac, lining the parts along a driveway then reassembled it to perfect running condition. He was proud to have served as a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was a 4th Degree Knight. He loved to work and owned “Master Handyman” in Downey, CA as a licensed general contractor for many years.

While he loved to hammer, he considered his life’s work was making his wife Carmen the happiest woman on Earth. As in all his endeavors, he was successful.

Robert passed away on October 28, 2017. Services will be held at Miller Mies Mortuary Downey on November 10th at 10:30am.

Warren was born on August 22, 1934 and passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017. Warren was a resident of California at the time of passing.

LOWE, Gary 83, of Beverly Hills, Former Detroit Lion defensive back, a member of the “The Four L’s defensive squad “and Member of the 1957 World Championship team, passed away on October 8, 2017. He fought a good fight against Parkinson’s Disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Dillon, Step-father Leonard Dillon, Father Ansel (Belva) Lowe. He is survived by his Beloved wife of 58 years, Patricia (Miller) Lowe and Proud father of Gary R. Lowe, Jr. Loving brother of Betty (Joe) Stoneburner, Nancy Murphy(Jack), Dianne Czarnecki (Norbert), Tim Dillon (Rhonda), Robert Lowe, Roger Lowe (Sue) and Ronald Lowe(Mary) many nieces and nephews and special mention of his friend and caregiver Betty Livi. 

Robert J. Brooke of Pelham, NY, Southampton, NY and Westbrook, Ct., died on August 18, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Bob was born on December 17, 1941 in the Bronx to the late Florence and Robert Brooke. He is survived by his loving wife and best buddy of 44 years, Rosemary Graziano Brooke, whom he met when she was a student teacher at Mount Vernon High School where he was a Physical Education teacher. He was a beloved uncle, Godfather, friend, teacher, coach and mentor, who left a lasting impact on all. Bob graduated from Pelham Memorial High School, where he was an outstanding All- County football player. He continued his academic and football career at Emory and Henry College Virginia, and completed a Bachelor’s degree in 1963, He received a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland. Upon graduation he was employed by the Mount Vernon, New York Public Schools as a teacher and coach. During his tenure of 33 years, he distinguished himself in coaching football, wrestling, Cross Country and Track and Field. In addition to the accomplishments of his students and student athletes, Bob derived great joy from time spent on the beach in Southampton with family and beach friends, loved jogging as well as swimming in the ocean at Cooper’s Beach and sailing on Long Island Sound in Westbrook, Ct. He was known to frequent the best breakfast buffets wherever he was.