Tag archives: in passing

Remembering Kissinger
By Richard Mineards   |   December 12, 2023

On a personal note, I remember former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the grand old age of 100. We met through a good friend Pat Buckley, wife of political pundit and National Review founder Bill Buckley, and I attended a few parties at his magnificent home with […]

Reuben Walker Eliyahu Smith: May 17, 1987 – November 6, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   November 28, 2023

As we bid farewell to a soul who embraced life with an extraordinary fervor, we mourn the passing of Reuben Walker Eliyahu Smith. His departure leaves an indelible void, and we reflect on the poignant words from one of his own poems, asking the profound question: “Did you love this world of ours the best […]

Donnie Carolan: May 28, 1957 – October 18, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   November 28, 2023

Donnie Carolan, 66, of Santa Barbara, California, passed away on October 18, 2023. He was born on May 28, 1957, in Morristown, New Jersey. Donnie was a passionate individual who had a deep love for music. He was actively involved in various choirs such as the Master Chorale and the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir. Donnie’s […]

Remembering Mary Conrad
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2023

On a personal note, I mark the move to more heavenly pastures of Mary Conrad, widow of the late writer and artist Barnaby Conrad, at the age of 88. Born into a prominent family in Pasadena, she was an accomplished horsewoman and avid tennis player, enjoying the game for most of her long life. After […]

Remembering Marilyn McMahon
By Richard Mineards   |   November 7, 2023

To the Rockwood Woman’s Club for a Celebration of Life of the late Santa Barbara News-Press writer Marilyn McMahon, a former colleague and friend, who died in August aged 93, just two weeks before the historic daily, for which she’d written for half a century, declared bankruptcy. Jerry Roberts, former editor of the newspaper, noted […]

Piper Laurie Remembered
By Richard Mineards   |   October 31, 2023

On a personal note, I mark the passing of veteran actress Piper Laurie, who died at her Los Angeles home aged 91. Laurie, who received three Oscar nominations and a won a Golden Globe for the TV series Twin Peaks, co-starred in the opening performance of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music of the Ensemble […]

Remembering Irene Hymanson
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2023

On a personal note, I remember philanthropist and longtime Casa Dorinda resident Irene Hymanson, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 81. Irene was the daughter of violinist William Hymanson, a member of the Music Academy faculty from 1959to 1969. After living and working in Los Angeles as a paralegal, she […]

Remembering David McCallum 
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2023

On a personal note, I mark the passing of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actor David McCallum, who has died in New York, aged 90. Scotsman McCallum played Illya Kuryakin from 1964 to 1968 and starred on 475 episodes of the CBS drama NCIS from 2003 for two decades. I last saw him at NCIS creator […]

On a Personal Note
By Richard Mineards   |   September 5, 2023

On a personal note, I remember the delightful Irma Jurkowitz, who, with her husband Morrie, was a resident in our Eden by the Beach for more than half a century. The dynamic duo, once the owners of the Granada Theatre and the tower building above it, established the Jurkowitz Center for Community Engagement in honor […]

Carolyn Pesnell Amory
By Montecito Journal   |   August 29, 2023

Carolyn Pesnell Amory passed away August 13th at 101 years. Carolyn led an exciting life and was well-known for her charity work. From 1979 to 1985 Carolyn was Chairman of the Board of the New York City Division of the American Cancer Society receiving every award given by the Society and breaking many fundraising records […]

Remembering Carolyn Amory
By Richard Mineards   |   August 29, 2023

On a deeply personal note, I mark the passing of Carolyn Amory, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 101 after spending the last chapter of her glorious and fascinating life at Casa Dorinda. When I first moved to Montecito from my home in L.A.’s Hancock Park in 2007, I would […]

Don Bushnell: January 7, 1927 – June 19, 2023
By Tim Buckley   |   August 15, 2023

Don Bushnell was born January 7, 1927, as an identical twin. Both he and his twin brother, David, were radio Quiz Kids, and both were awarded scholarships to the University of Chicago at age 16. Their adult lives followed very similar educational and professional paths. Don was devoted to social issues his entire life, starting […]

Nicholas Proctor Palonen: April 10, 1981 – May 31, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   July 18, 2023

Nicholas Proctor Palonen, beloved son, brother, husband, and father, was welcomed into the world by his parents, Marjorie and Craig Palonen, on April 10, 1981, in Santa Barbara, California. From that day forward, he became an indispensable part of a loving family, joining his older brother, Tye, on countless childhood adventures — from explorations of […]

Remembering Julian Sands
By Richard Mineards   |   July 11, 2023

On a personal note, I remember the British actor Julian Sands, whose remains were found in the San Gabriel Mountains after he was reported missing by his family in January. Julian, 65, known for his Oscar-nominated films, including 1985’s delightful Room with a View, disappeared during a trek in the Mount Baldy area of the […]

Byron Lyle Fairbrother : September 22, 1958 – March 17, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   July 4, 2023

Byron Lyle Fairbrother was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to Edwin Henry Fairbrother and Randi Tangvall Fairbrother. He had a heart attack while sailing in San Diego. Their team won last year’s race. He learned to sail as a youngster at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. At least he passed doing something he loved. […]

Michael Oliver Brayton Cherry: June 20, 1937 – March 29, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   June 20, 2023

Michael Cherry (85) died peacefully in his home in Palm Desert, California on the morning of March 29th, with loved ones at his side.  Michael was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to Nelson and Constance Cherry (Brayton), and was raised in Bristol, Rhode Island. Michael graduated from The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut (’55). He […]

Andy Smith Remembered
By Richard Mineards   |   June 20, 2023

On a personal note, I remember Andy Smith, match announcer at the Santa Barbara Polo Club for more than 30 years, who has died at the age of 82. Born in Brentwood, he spent six years in the Air Force, much of it in New Zealand, with the rank of captain. A member of the […]

Montecito’s Magic Man Passes On
By James Buckley   |   June 13, 2023

As MJ reported last week, Milt Larsen passed away on Sunday, May 28, after what had been a whirlwind week for the 92-year-old founder of Hollywood’s Magic Castle. The Sunday before he died, Milt and his wife, Arlene, attended a production of their longtime touring production, “It’s Magic!” in Cerritos, California. They watched the entire […]

Milt Larsen Passes Away at 92
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   June 6, 2023

The world lost some of its magic this past Sunday, May 28, as Milt Larsen has passed away at 92. A writer and frequent participant on the long-running TV show, Truth Or Consequences, producer and instigator behind various theatrical projects like DAWGS! The Musical, but more than anything from his storied past, Milt will be […]

Benjamin Fay Brode: 1937 – 2023
By Ann Brode   |   June 6, 2023

Ben Brode had logged a lifetime of exciting adventures out in the world by the time I met him. But when destiny opened the door, he was ready for one more – a 44-year journey of the heart. As he told his kids recently, “when I got together with your mother, it felt like setting […]