The I.B.M. Blog & Articles

The International Brotherhood of Magicians

21 Jun

6 Magicians Honored in July 2016 Broken Wand

Category: Broken Wand   Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK

 BROKEN WAND JULY 2016


THOMAS C. DAWSON

 

Thomas Commerford Dawson, 79, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, died March 22, 2016. Born in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, he grew up primarily in Montreal where he met his wife of fifty-seven years, Judith. Other survivors include his six children: Jennifer, Ted (Juuli), Melissa, Matthew (Laura), Kate (Marc), and Emily (Sam); fifteen grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, Scarlett; and two brothers, Peter (Anne), and Tony (Honey), and their families. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation (www.stmichaelsfoundation.com). 

 

ARTHUR R. GAGNE


Arthur Robert Gagne, 80, of San Mateo, California, died March 31, 2016. His I.B.M. membership number was 27710, and he had been a member since 1975. He was a member of the Order of Merlin Shield (thirty-five years a continuous member). A native of San Francisco, he was a proud resident there for forty-six years. He served in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman, then began a forty-year career with the California State Automobile Association (AAA), as a tow truck dispatcher, and retired as an ERS supervisor. In addition to his passion for magic, Art loved a good game of 8-ball, pinball, and slot machines; all things railroad; Betty Boop; his own signature Tanqueray martini; and anything related to movies and Hollywood. Survivors include his children Arthur “Marty,” Dennis (Lucila), and Suzanne (John) Zaro; and six grandchildren.

 

DONALD J. KUEHNE

 

Recently the I.B.M. headquarters learned that Donald J. Kuehne, 85, of Westchester (Los Angeles), California, died January 20, 2016. His I.B.M. member number was 51038, and he had been a member since 1994. He also was a member of Ring 21 (Hollywood, California), and the Magic Castle. He loved music his entire life, excelling in the piano and organ. He also was an active Shriner for over fifty years, including the Jesters. In addition to making people laugh, he enjoyed attending stage plays and movies. Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Zelda; children Dale (Mary) and Donna (Doug); grandchildren Ron (Yvonne), Michael, Ally and Ron; step-grandchildren, Michael and Kelly; great grandchildren, Addelyn, Bennett, and Coleson; brother, Robert; and half-brother, Gerald Colgate.

 

THOMAS B. MALLETTE, JR.


Thomas Burnied Mallette, Jr., 80, of Valparaiso, Florida, died May 28, 2016, after a long battle with prostate cancer. His I.B.M. member number was 61985, and he had been a member since 2001. He also was a member of Ring 284 (Ft. Walton Beach, Florida). Born in Picayune, Mississippi, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force soon after graduating high school in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He participated in life-saving missions with air rescue helicopters. As part of the Boot Strap Commissioning Program he received a bachelor’s degree from Park University (Missouri), and an officer commission. He retired as Captain in 1984 after nearly thirty years. His second career was as a master lapidarist (an artisan who works with gemstones), opening his own business, Custom Faceting. He was world-wide traveler, both in the service and as a civilian. His obituary pointed out sense of humor, saying that “he was predeceased by his lower left molars, his prostate, and his gall bladder.” Survivors include his wife, Patricia; children: Marie (Michael) Nygard, Marcus (Kim), Herbert (Katie), and Karen (John) Boyd; fourteen grandchildren; and half-sister Sharon (Don) DuBorg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65202; or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted by Ring 284.

 

ALAN J. PAVIEKOVSKY


Alan John Paviekovsky, 57, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania. died May 17, 2016 after a long illness. He was a former member of the I.B.M. (1977-2007). He was a member of the Order of Merlin (twenty-five years a continuous member). His interest in magic began as a young boy and continued throughout his life. He performed for many years in Southwest Pennsylvania. His act featured doves and a rabbit, as well as excellent Zombie and Linking Ring routines. Though he was a popular kid’s show performer, he was equally popular with adults. He worked as a patient van driver, delivering them to Man Valley Hospital. And yes, he often entertained them with a trick. Among survivors are his long-time fiance’, JoAnn Kostolansky. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charleroi Area Food Pantry, 828 Meadow Ave., Charleroi, PA 15022. 

 

MICHAEL WOOLF

            Michael Woolf, 77, of Wellington, New Zealand, died June 20, 2016. His I.B.M. member number was 65255, and he had been a member since 2004. He was a member of Ring 160 (Auckland, New Zealand), and a Life Member of the Invisible Lodge.  A native of Essex, England, he developed an interest in the performing arts in his youth performing a puppet show at primary school. When he was nine, his family moved to New Zealand. On the long ocean voyage, he occupied his time performing with Punch and Judy puppets (from his parents) and magic (with a magic set from his aunt). Later he performed at birthday parties and in school. He had successful careers in radio (New Zealand Broadcasting Service and Concert FM), in teaching, and in magic, among others. He was editor/publisher of the New Zealand magic magazine Magicana for over eleven years. And he was an avid collector and restorer of antique player pianos, music boxes, juke boxes, phonographs and organs, as well as old magic antiques. Survivors include his wife, Gill; three children: Anthony, Nicholas, and Jeremy; and grandchildren Joshua, Daniel, Emma, Genevieve, Benedict, Gabriel, and Lucia.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellington Free Ambulance service (www.donate.wfa.org.nz). A Broken Wand Ceremony was conducted in his honor. An In Memoriam appears elsewhere in this issue. 

 

 

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