MY ACCOUNT
18 Magicians Honored in May Broken Wand
Category: Broken Wand Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK
BROKEN WAND FOR MAY 2015
ARMAND A. CARRIER
Armand A. Carrier, 72, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, died March 21, 2015. He held I.B.M. member number 37981 since 1988. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 44 (Providence, Rhode Island). Born in Rhode Island, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a truck driver for Teamster Local 241 and was an Auxiliary Police Officer for the city of Central Falls, Rhode Island for ten years. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 865 SE Monterey Commons Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996.
ALEXANDER CHERVIN
Alexander (Alex) Chervin, 101, of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, died March 22, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1948-1988). He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). Survivors include his children, Ann (Justin) Edwards, Michael, Nancy, and Tamara (Steve) Humphreys; grandchildren Jasper and Ian Edwards, Samantha and Evan Fruchthandler, and Jonah and Samuel Humphreys; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Project Genesis, 4735 Cote-Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3W
PATRICK J. CORDIER
Patrick Joseph Cordier, 91, of Innaloo, Western Australia, Australia, died April 7, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1996-2006). He had been sick for the past ten years, but still kept an active interest in the local magic society, according to friend Jamie Bentley. He also was a weekly DJ on a local community radio station. Born in England, he served in the Royal Air Force in the Middle East during World War II. He didn’t get into magic until about thirty years ago. He had several names for his various children’s shows, but the best known was Aladdin. He made most of his own props. He was into event management, public relations and advertising, in both the United Kingdom and Western Australia. Survivors include his wife, Beverly.
CLAUDE E. CROWE JR.
Claude Eldridge Crowe Jr., 77, of San Antonio, Texas, died unexpectedly March 9, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 15446, and he had been a member since 1955. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excelsior (sixty years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 18 (San Antonio), the Texas Association of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, The Magic Circle (London), and the Magic Collectors’ Association. In 1989 he organized the Texas Magic Collectors’ Association and edited and publish its newsletter. He was president of Ring 18 twice. A graduate of Baylor University, he also studied at the Dallas Theater Center, before returning to San Antonio to take over the family business, Liberal Finance & Thrift Corporation. He performed magic throughout Texas and beyond before a wide variety of audiences in many venues.
L. EDWARD DAVIS
Rev. L. Edward (Eddie) Davis, 91, of Woodstock, Georgia, died April 3, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 22131, and he had been a member since 1968. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 112 (Chattanooga, Tennessee), and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Wisconsin, as the ship’s photographer. After the war he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and spent the rest of his life in Christian service, serving in a variety of church positions. He met his wife during his bible college days. He also worked in the electronics and appliance industries alongside his Christian work. Survivors include his wife, Betty Sue; daughter Debbie Pallone; and grandson, Brad. Memorial contributions may be made to Simply Grace, 133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 202, Cumming, GA 30040.
JOSEPH C. DUNN
Joseph Chester (J.C.) Dunn, 73, of Paradise, California, died March 8, 2015 of a heart attack while performing magic. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1985-2007). He was a member of Ring 21 (Hollywood, California). Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He was many things: a U.S. Marine in Viet Nam, a member of the Peace Corps in Tonga, a U.S. Postal Service employee for twenty years, and a magician. He was a magic student of Dick Berry, and they became life-long friends, specializing in crazy stunts (such as catching a selected card while bungee jumping). Bill Larsen gave J.C. a life-time membership to the Magic Castle because J.C. took care of magic legend Johnny Platt during his final years. When he suffered his first heart attack he met the love of his life in the doctor’s office; they were married in 2000. Survivors include his wife, Clidean (Dean); sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lou and Ken Bentley; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise Alliance Church, 6491 Clark Road, Paradise, CA 95969.
DAVID R. EDWARDS
David Robert Edwards, 84, of Wethersfield, Connecticut died April 8, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 43037, and he had been a member since 1988. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 278 (Hartford, Connecticut), and the Society of American Magicians. After he graduated from Columbia College in New York, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Returning from the service, he earned a law degree from the Columbia University Law School and began a career as a trial lawyer with Aetna Casualty Company, retiring as lead counsel in 1989. In addition to his love of magic, he loved to cook and to travel. In his retirement he and his wife visited thirty countries, enjoying the people, arts and cuisine. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; son David (Diane), and daughter Glynnis (John) Cowdery; and grandchildren David and Katherine Edwards, and Henry and Callard Cowdery.
STANLEY R. KRAMIEN
Stanley R. Kramien, 89, of Tigard, Oregon, died March 27, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2007-2013), and was a member of Ring 92 (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). Born in Portland, he learned his first magic trick at age ten, and skipped school when magicians performed at the downtown theater. According to his close friend for over forty years, David Charvet: “He was one of the great showmen of his time, with a seventy-plus-year career that spanned vaudeville, U.S.O. (twenty-five shows a day for the troops during World War II), nightclubs, theaters, circuses, radio, television (including the Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno), and for over thirty years touring North America with one of the largest magic shows of his time, appearing in as many as two hundred cities a year.” He was billed as “The Great Kramien,” “The Mad Magician,” and “The Mad Man of Magic.” Over the years he created magic shows with such names as: “Mad World of Magic,” “Magic Capades,” “Magicazam.” and “The Magic of Kramien.” In 1987 Mr. Kramien was honored with a Special Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts, a lifetime membership in the Magic Castle; and held a MIMC with Gold Star from England’s Magic Circle. He wrote several books, including “The Illusion Show Business” (2000), “Show Me the Money” (2001), and “Go Book Yourself” (2003). He was on the cover of the September 1982 issue of “Genii” magazine. Survivors include his son Rick; daughter-in-law, Debra; and grandchildren Heather, Alex, and Amanda.
DAVID J. KULIG
The I.B.M. Headquarters recently learned that David James Kulig, 38, of Mansfield, Ohio, died May 28, 2014. His I.B.M.. member number was 71748 and he had been a member only a short time. Born in South Korea, he attended Ohio State University, earning an associate degree in English. He owned the Eclectic Tempo where he taught poetry, music, magic, art, and pool. His obituary said he was courageous in his process of recovering from mental illness and was a supportive friend to others on a similar journey. Survivors include his parents, Jim and Jean; sister Lisa (Tom) Kennedy; brother Michael (Stephanie); paternal grandparents Adolph and Rita Kulig; aunt Pat Crane; and uncle Ken. Memorial contributions may be made to Richland County NAMI, 420 Stewart Lane, Mansfield, OH 44907; or The Center for Individual and Family Services, 741 Scholl Road, Mansfield, OH 44907.
HARRY J. LEAMAN
Harry J. Leaman, 70, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, died February 20, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 32441, and he had been a member since 1977. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 44 (Providence, Rhode Island), and the Society of American Magicians. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for twenty-two years, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. During his career he served as an Infantry Unit Leader and as a Drill Instructor. His decorations included The Gallantry Cross, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and a Purple Heart. Survivors include his wife of forty-four years, Patricia; children John (Yuko), Christopher, and Dawn (Richard); and grandchildren Aiden, Kaylee, Mia, and Stefan. Memorial contributions may be made to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.
ERIC G. LENZ
Eric G. Lenz, 79, of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, died March 6, 2015. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1973-2011). He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 92 (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he worked as a salesman in the housewares/china industry. For more than a decade he entertained thousands of people across Canada with his Magic of Cooking show. As a magic teacher, he taught at the Vancouver Technical night school program for twenty-eight years. Many of his students were members of the Vancouver Magic Circle, the largest magic club in North America. Survivors include his wife of fifty-one years, Donna; sons Michael (Trish) and Graham (Aya); grandsons Zachary and Spencer; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Rosewood Manor Care Foundation, 6260 Blundell Road, Richmond, BC, Canada V7C 5C4, or the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.
RON H. LONDON
Ron H. London (Mabis), 73, of Lafayette, Indiana, died April 2, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 19490, and he had been a member since 1964. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 219 (Lafayette, Indiana), Ring 10 (Indianapolis), and Ring 291 (Palm Desert, California). He also was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. Born in Payne, Ohio as Ron H. Mabis, later he took Ron London as his stage name. He served in the U.S. Army. He was active in the I.B.M., serving each of the Rings he belonged to, and was the Territorial Vice President (TVP) for Indiana for many years. He was a founding member of Ring 219, and in 2014 his name was added to the Ring’s name. He was a popular lecturer on the magic circuit. In addition to being a magician, he also was a clown. Earlier he worked as a disc jockey. Survivors include a sister-in-law and several nieces and nephews. A Broken Wand Ceremony was performed in his honor.
DARRELL L. MURPHY
Darrell Lynn Murphy, 58, of North Hills, California, died November 12, 2014, in an automobile accident in suburban Los Angeles. His I.B.M. membership number was 32723, and he had been a member since 1978. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 21 (Hollywood, California), and the Magic Castle. After four years in the U.S. Air Force, he went to work for the government as a computer specialist/programmer in Los Angeles, California, where he met and married his wife. In addition to magic and computers, his hobbies included gardening and cooking (including publishing his own cookbook). He and his wife also were members, trainers, and testers of Therapy Dogs of Los Angeles. Survivors include his wife, Mary; son, Adam; daughter, Jennie (Denny); parents Larry and Mary; brother, Bruce (Kellie); mother-in-law Audrey Holzknecht; brothers and their wives; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
FR. CYPRIAN MURRAY
Father Cyprian (“Cyp”) Harvey Murray, 76, of Yonkers, New York, died April 9, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 18249, and he had been a member since 1961. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Excalibur (fifty years a continuous member). He was the I.B.M. International Chaplain at one time. He also was a member of the Society of American Magicians, served as its chaplain, and was its national president, 1989-90. He was on the cover of MUM in February 1981 and August 1989. Born John Harvey Murray in New Rochelle, New York, he became interested in magic at age seven having seen it in a movie. The interest stayed with him the rest of his life. He entered the Capuchin Franciscans at St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, Massachusetts in 1957 where he received the religious name Cyprian. He graduated St. Anthony College, Hudson, New Hampshire in 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. He performed magic during graduate school, and began contributing to Karl Fulves’ Pallbearers Review and Epilogue. In 1971 he wrote and published “The Bottom Collectors,” and Frank Garcia published several of Cyprian’s card effects in Super Subtle Card Magic, including “Fr. Cyprian’s Wild Card.” He was an expert on magic in the movies. Survivors include his cousin Frank O’Rourke. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.
LEWIS M. NEWMYER
Lewis (Lew) M. Newmyer, 92, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died March 16, 2015 of renal failure. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2001-2005). He was a member of Ring 50 (Washington, D.C.). He was a Washington, D.C. restauranteur and entrepreneur who founded and brought Armand’s Chicago Pizzeria to more than a dozen locations in the nation’s capitol. He was also an amateur magician, cabinet maker, yo-yo champion, liquor salesman and the proprietor of Armand’s Subway Sandwich Shops, the predecessor to the pizzeria chain. He was widely known as a showman, specializing in grandiose publicity stunts. Survivors include his wife of twenty-seven years, Sandy; children Steve, Ron, Wendy Everett, Linda, and Rick; and eleven grandchildren.
EDWARD J. STEVENS
Edward J. Stevens, 79, of Derby, Kansas, died March 4, 2015. His I.B.M. member number was 31842 and he had been a member since 1977. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years of continuous membership). He also was a member of Ring 47 (Wichita, Kansas). He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Hawaii and Japan. Survivors include his wife, Kimberley; children Valerie Laytham, Stacey (Bill) Kluge, Tony (Lisa), Sheila (Doyle) Callen, Kurt Moore, Tracy (Ted) Higuera, Jonathan (Sheann) Moore, Kathy (Bob) Baldwin, Christopher (Bethany) Stevens, Stephanie Stevens (Mauricio Gastelum), and Sarah (Darryl) Runyan; twenty-eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings Cecelia Manzardo, Barbara Stevens-Jensen, Mary Jean Moman, Judy Clapper, Gerald Stevens, Paulinda Wynn, and Philip Stevens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans Association, the ALS Association; or Faith Builders, P.O. Box 722, Andover, KS 67002.
WILLIAM R. WARREN III
Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters learned that William (Bill) Rice Warren III, 64, of Hampton, Virginia, died November 8, 2014. His I.B.M. member number was 38837, and he had been a member since 2003. He was a member of Ring 103 (Norfolk, Virginia), and the Society of American Magicians. His funeral program said: “Bill retired from the U.S. Navy after twenty-two years. He was an accomplished Navy recruiter, IT expert for the Navy and for Sentara Hospitals, mesmerizing magician, exotic bird enthusiast, avid chess player and teacher, basketball and baseball fanatic, basset hound rescuer, passionate movie-goer, and all around humanitarian.” Two of his most recent projects were starting chess clubs in local elementary schools, and teaching magic at a local library. Survivors include his wife of eleven years, Marie; children Wendy (Chris) Haverstick, and Gregary (Julianne), and stepson, John (Melissa) Jacobus; and grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Baptist Building Fund, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666.
