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The International Brotherhood of Magicians

29 Apr

14 Magicians Honored in May 2017 Broken Wand

Category: Broken Wand   Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK

 BROKEN WAND MAY 2017


TONY ASHMORE

 

The I.B.M. Headquarters office recently learned that Tony Ashmore, 79, of Near Crewe, Cheshire, England, had died. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2006-2010). He also was a member of Ring 25, the British Ring.

 

JOHN W. BARTLE

 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters office was notified that John William Bartle, 84, of Grabill, Indiana, died April 2, 2016, after a long struggle with cancer. His I.B.M. number was 58025, and he had been a member since 1997 (nineteen years). He also was a member of Ring 221 (Fort Wayne, Indiana), and Ring 269 (Harlingen, Texas). Born in Fort Wayne, he worked for Pepsi-Cola for thirty-eight years, before retiring and performing magic shows for Christian groups and retirement communities while wintering in Texas. In addition to the I.B.M., he was active in scouting and Toastmasters. Survivors at the time of his death included his wife of over sixty-five years, Barbara; sons, Gary (Erin) and Michael; daughters, Sherry McCoy and Wendy (Mark) Burke; five grandchildren; and sister, Eileen Shidler. Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825.

 

JOHN F. DECESARE

 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters office was notified that John Francis DeCesare, 95, of Los Gatos, California, had died. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1980-2011 -- thirty-one years). He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). Among survivors are his son, Lance, who sent in the notice.

 

ROBERT A.W. DOWNING


Robert A. W. Downing, 91, of St. Judes, Plymouth, England, died February 11, 2017. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1973-2016 -- forty-three years). He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 25 (the British Ring). Among survivors is his wife, Carol.

 

BERNARD W. DYER

 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters office was notified that Bernard Winston Dyer, 76, of Natal, South Africa, had died. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (2006-2009).

 

HAROLD GREENBAUM


Harold Greenbaum, 91, of Lauderhill, Florida, died March 26, 2017. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1991-2009 -- eighteen years). He also was a member of Ring 45 (Miami, Florida), the Society of American Magicians, and the Florida Magicians Association. He co-founded the S.A.M. Assembly 274. He did not graduate high school because he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He received a rare field promotion to SSGT. Much later he finally did graduate high school in a special ceremony arranged by the Governor of Florida when he heard Harold’s story. Harold even got to attend a special “prom” in his honor. Harold was president of the Baker’s Union in New York until he retired and moved to Florida with his wife. He was a pilot, repaired antique clocks as a hobby, and had a large antique clock collection. He performed magic for many big clients. Among survivors is his daughter, Rochelle Krakower. A Broken Wand ceremony was performed in his honor.  

 

DAVID B. HOFFMAN


David Bruce Hoffman, 64, of Lancaster, New York, died March 6, 2017 after a two-year battle with lung and brain cancer. He held I.B.M. number 67911 since 2008. He also was a member of Ring 12 (Buffalo, New York). He retired from General Motors/American Axle and Manufacturing after thirty-three years. He also was involved in the Western New York car racing scene for thirty years, as a pit crew member. In 2004 he became active in magic after meeting his future wife, and her father, Jim Maloney, a magician. He  became active in Ring 12, and regularly attended the Magician’s Alliance of Western New York and Magic Fest conventions. He and his wife created the King of Spades Award to encourage magicians age twenty and younger. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; sister, Susan (James) Marshall; brother, Kevin (Eileen); father-in-law, James Maloney; and brothers-in-law James (Karen) Maloney, and Joseph (Tabitha) Maloney. A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted in his honor.   

 

NATHANIEL A. IPOCK


Nathaniel Adair Ipock, 62, of Evansville, Indiana, died February 6, 2017. His I.B.M. membership number was 34361, and he had been a member since 1979. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 56 (Evansville, Indiana). Born in Columbus, Indiana, he was a member of the Army Reserves. For ten years he was a distribution driver for the Tri-State Food Bank. In addition to magic, he was an avid musician and enjoyed playing locally.  He also enjoyed reading and had an extensive book collection. Among survivors are his wife of forty-one years, Cheryl; children, Megan (David) Nagel, Caleb (Stephanie), and Whitney (Jacob) Seibert; granddaughter, Charlotte; brother, Michael (Marsha); sister, Hannah Jones; and mother, Bonnie.

 

GERRY S. JAFFE


Gerry Stanley Jaffee, 84, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, died March 20, 2017. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1989-2006). He was a member of Ring 20 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), and Ring 313 (Orange County, California). Born in Bronx, New York, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked as General Manager for E.J. Korvettes in Camp Hill, and a sales representative for VF Corporation’s Wrangler Jean division, retiring in 1994. He was an avid golfer, bridge player, fisherman, and Yankees fan. He brought joy to many in the area as he performed as “Uncle Gerry the Magician.” Survivors include his childhood sweetheart and wife of sixty-three years, Glenda; daughter Amie (Rick) Grubb; daughter Jill (Doug) Sherman; and daughter Leanne Subick; grandchildren, Erik (Avianna) Wolfe; Ricky (Amy) Grubb; Julian Subick, and Rachel Sherman; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Ramapo for Children, P.O. Box 266, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, or the Humane Society of Harrisburg, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111.

 

MICHAEL H. JAFFE


Michael “Mike” H. Jaffe, 71, of Chicago, Illinois, died January 24, 2017 from cancer. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1990-1995). His life was not easy, dealing with an acute case of Guillain-Barre in midlife, and battling cancer in later years. Among his many interests were bluegrass and folk music, astronomy, and magic. Survivors include sister Jean (Ron) Friedman; and nieces Rebekah Wildman, Jessica Blazer, Rachel Friedman (Glenn Walton), and Jonina Friedman. Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Hadassah, c/o Elaine Lampert, 412 Horatio, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089; or to Congregation Beth Judea, Box 5304 RFD, Long Grove, IL 60047.

 

DOUGLAS R. JONES

 

The I.B.M. Headquarters office recently learned that Douglas Robert Jones, 84, of Langport, Somerset, England, had died. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1985-1990). He was a member of Ring 25 (the British Ring).

 

MICHAEL A. KONING


Michael Allen Koning, 77, of Lafayette, Indiana, died March 26, 2017, due to complications from a recent minor surgery. His I.B.M. membership number was 65594, and he had been a member since 2005. He also was a member of Ring 219 (Lafayette, Indiana). A life-long resident of Lafayette, he had a successful career in the printing industry, starting at Haywood Publishing Company and retiring from the Lafayette Journal and Courier. He then started a second career that included Lafayette Glass, General Foods, finally retiring a second time, from Eli Lilly and Company. In retirement he stayed busy with his many hobbies and interests, including magic, ham radio, selling fire wood and spending time at his cabin in the woods. His volunteer efforts included eradicating graffiti in the community, in partnership with local police and street departments. He also loved to travel throughout the country, highlighted by a love of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, which he visited over twenty times. Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Pat; son Kerry (Kenwyn); son Kim (Debbie); daughter Kristy (Tom) McCain; daughter Kalley (Jaime) Guiterrez; fifteen grandchildren/grandchildren-in-law); two great-grandchildren; and sister, Stephanie (Wayne) Schuttler.

 

MARTINO RADA

 

Recently the I.B.M. Headquarters office was notified that Martino Rada, 60, of Novara, Italy, had died. His I.B.M. membership number was 45580, and he had been a member since 1989. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He had a passion for mentalism and card magic, loved tearing up cards with Card Warp-type effects, collecting cards, books and videos, and performing children’s shows and for friends.

 

LARRY L. SAWYER


Larry Lee Sawyer, 75, of Ellsworth, Kansas, died February 26, 2017. His I.B.M. member number was 47376, and he had been a member since 1991. He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). He also was a member of Ring 47 (Wichita, Kansas). He was a dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Department for thirty-six years. In addition to the I.B.M., he also was a member of the McPherson Gem and Mineral Club. Survivors include his wife of thirty-one years, Carol; son, Raymond Kuck; daughters Audria Larson and Brenda Harrison; son, Kenneth Kuck; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Larry Sawyer Memorial Fund, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

 

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