Victor "Vic" Tayback, BHS 1948

Victor "Vic" Tayback, BHS 1948
 Jan 6 , 1930 - May 25, 1990

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - May 26, 1990

TAYBACK, CO-STAR OF 'ALICE'

Vic Tayback, the actor best known as the gruff diner owner and cook Mel Sharples in the television comedy "Alice," died Friday May 25, 1990 of a heart attack in his Glendale home, officials said.

Tayback, 60, had a history of heart trouble and underwent triple bypass surgery in 1983.

"Tayback's wife, Sheila, (told police) he had gotten out of bed, walked a few feet and fell to the floor," said Glendale police spokesman Chris Loop. Tayback was in full cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at 1:08 a.m.

He was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

Tayback was the only cast member of the 1975 film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Any More" to star in the television situation-comedy "Alice," which was based on the film. Tayback played Mel, whose penny-pinching and poor cooking were a running joke on the show, which ran from 1976 to 1985.

"I'm just devastated. I loved Vic very dearly and my heart goes out to Sheila and Chris," said actress Polly Holliday, who co-starred with Tayback as the wise-cracking waitress Flo on "Alice."

Tayback played supporting roles in a number of other films, including ''Papillon," "Bullitt" and "The Choirboys." His television movie credits include "They Call It Murder" (1971), "The Night the City Screamed" (1980), "The Jesse Owens Story" (1984) and "The Three Kings" (1987).

In the 1960s, he co-founded the Silver Lake-based Company of Angels theater group with Sally Kellerman and Richard Chamberlain. He was a member of the Actor's Studio for 20 years.

After the "Alice" series ended in 1985, Tayback starred in such plays as "12 Angry Men," "Death of a Salesman" and "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

As recently as May 12, he played a Lebanese immigrant in S.K. Hershewe's comedy "An Oasis in Manhattan" at the Venture Theatre in Burbank.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. of Syrian parents, Tayback attended Glendale Community College and the Frederick A. Speare School of Radio and TV Broadcasting. Before turning to acting full time, he was a bank teller and a cab driver.

"Everybody loved him," said Fred Amsel, Tayback's agent and friend of 20 years. "He was a first-class guy. He was a very compassionate man. He always had his hand out to help other people, and he always spoke his mind."

Tayback is survived by his wife, Sheila; son Christopher; mother Helen; sister Emily, and brother Joe.

Funeral services are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Incarnation Church, 1001 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Burial will be Wednesday at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills.



Paul William Adler, BHS 1927

Paul William Adler, BHS 1927

Paul William Adler was born in Zion, Illinois on July 21, 1909. His family moved to Burbank, California in 1918. In 1927, he went to work directly after graduating from Burbank High School at Lockheed Aircraft as a machinist. He later worked for Mitchell Camera and Technicolor in Hollywood, California. In 1937, he co-founded Adel Precision Projucts Corp., subcontracting for the aircraft industry. He founded several other small companies and remained self-employed throughout his professional career as a machinist.

He was married to Theodora (Teddy) Buckles (1929) until her death in 1991. They had three children; Loretta, Valerie, and Jerry. Teddy was a member of the Eastern Star. Loretta was a member of the Jobs' Daughters and presently resides in Pollack Pines, California. Valerie became a teacher and presently resides in Torrance, California. Jerry passed away in 1958. At his death in Torrance, California, Brother Adler was 91 years old and leaves his two daughters, seven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two great , great grandchildren.

He was Initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in Burbank Lodge on September 14, 1939, Passed to the Degree of Fellocraft on October 19, 1939 and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on November 30, 1939. He served the Burbank Lodge as Master in 1946. He became a Master of the Royal Secret of the 32* of the Scottish Rite and a Nobel of Al Malaikah Shrine in 1943. He was president of the Burbank Shrine Club in 1947. He was a life-long devoted and active member of the Burbank Lodge until recent years when his health failed. It was his ectreme pleasure to attend, in 1990, the 90th anniversary celebration of the founding of Burbank Lodge No. 406.

Brother Adler passed to the Celestial Lodge on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001.

Richard Barton Sanfilippo, BHS 1961

Richard Barton Sanfilippo, BHS 1961

Richard B. Sanfilippo of Cathedral City, California, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at the age of 62.

He was born in Jamestown, New York on June 20, 1943, the son of the late Joseph and Eva Benenati Sanfilippo. He moved to Burbank in 1951 where he attended school. He served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963. He started working working at the Burbank Post Office as a letter carrier in 1963, was promoted to management and later worked in San Fernando Valley. He retired as a Manager from the Northridge Post Office in 1999. He moved to Cathedral City where he was an active volunteer for the Cathedral City Police Department's Civilians on Patrol.

He is survived by his wife, Carole of 40 years; his son, Tony of Fullerton; his daughter, Shannon and beloved granson Jordan of Encino; two brothers, Joe of Canyon Country and Bob of Fountain Valley. He was cremated and his ashes interred at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Helen E. Morris Moody, BHS 1934

Helen E. Morris Moody, BHS 1934



Burbank Leader, September 20, 2001

Helen Moody, 84, died September 7, 2001, at her home in Newport Beach.
Ms. Moody was born in Los Angeles County, California on October 4, 1916. She was a longtime resident of Newport Beach and Burbank. She was a graduate of Burbank High School, Class of 1934. She and her husband, Bill, owned and operated the W.R. Moody Trophy Company in Burbank and North Hollywood.


Ms. Moody is survived by her sons, Tom Moody and John Moody; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Lorraine Clark. Services will be at noon Saturday at the Laguna Presbyterian Church on Forrest Avenue in Laguna Beach.

Charlene Barbara Garven Smoker, BHS 1950

Charlene Barbara Garven Smoker, BHS 1950

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - January 21, 2012

CHARLENE B. SMOKER January 20, 1932 – December 23, 2011

Charlene Barbara Smoker, 79, of Burbank, CA passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2011 surrounded by family. Charlene was born to Charles and Edith Garven on January 20, 1932 and was a lifelong resident of Burbank. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1950. While attending Burbank High she met and later married Jack Smoker on September 11, 1954 and they have four daughters.

Charlene was a homemaker and very active in the PTA at Joaquin Miller Elementary, John Muir Jr. High and Burbank Sr. High as well as with the Burbank High Band Booster Club.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jack; by daughters, Gayle Toombs (LeeRoy) of Del Norte, CO, Lori Lentz (Stan) of Vacaville, CA, Robin Bonn (Grant) of Loveland, CO and Alison Harrison (Pat) of Loveland, CO; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Janet Hayes of Camarillo CA; bother-in-law, Jerry Smoker and wife Kitty of Big Bear City, CA; numerous nephews and nieces along with numerous great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Bernie Garven, Bob Garven and Ruth Melton; sister-in-law, June Twitchell; brother-in-law, John Hayes; nephew, Jimmy Garven; niece, Susie Garven; and son-in-law, Patrick Bonn, Sr. The family would like to give special recognition and thanks for the extraordinary care she received from Dr. Tamika Henry and the caregivers at Vitas Hospice for making it possible for her to be home in her final days.

Gordon David Behrens, BHS 1942

Press-Enterprise, The (Riverside, CA) - January 18, 2009

Gordon David Behrens, BHS 1942

Age 85, resident of Murrieta, CA for 4 years, formerly of Burbank, CA for 24 years, Lake Elsinore for 44 years, and Sun City for 13 years, passed away 01/13/2009 at home in Murrieta, CA due to natural causes.

Gordon was born in Glendale, CA. He proudly served his country by serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. Gordon was employed as a Fireman for the federal government, mainly at Camp Pentleton. He enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, dancing, telling stories and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Not necessarily in that order.

Gordon graduated from Burbank High School and received awards and achievements. He was a member of Elsinore Elks, San Jacinto Moose Lodge and member of the Body of Christ. John 3:3. Gordon is survived by his daughters, Linda M. Bean of Boise, ID, Brenda L. Schroeder of Murrieta, CA, Diana L. Foster of S. Lake Tahoe, CA; sons, Richard E. Behrens of Pyramid Lake, NV and David W. Behrens of Santa Ana, CA; nieces, Annette Davis of Corona, Nancy and Christine; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon G. Behrens and Samuel and Florence Behrens.

Viewing Monday, 01/19, 5pm to 8pm at Evans Brown Mortuary, 126 E. Graham Ave., Lake Elsinore. Funeral Service on Tuesday, 01/20, 10am AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION, Evans Brown Mortuary, 27010 Encanto Dr., Sun City, CA. Burial with honors at Elsinore Cemetery. Services Handled by: EVANS BROWN MORTUARY Dignified Caring Professional Lake Elsinore ~ (951) 674-3141

Richard J. "Rick" Angel, BHS 1966

Richard J. Angel, BHS 1966

BANGOR, MAINE - Richard J. Angel, 63, died March 10, 2012, at a Bangor hospital after a long illness. He was born in 1948, in Wheeling, W.Va., son of Teodor H. and Athena (Pappas) Angel. Rick spent his early childhood in Michigan, and his teen and high school years in Burbank, Calif., where he developed into a spectacular scholar.

Rick was a true "Renaissance man," displaying a voracious curiosity in all subjects, while also competing in varsity tennis and being voted "best dancer" by his high school classmates. After graduating from Burbank High School with high scholastic honors and the title of "most likely to succeed," Rick entered Columbia University on the President's Scholarship. There, he delved deeply into developmental psychology and philosophy. He continued his education at Columbia, receiving his Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts, Masters of Philosophy and Doctorate from the University.

Rick loved the culture and excitement of New York City and lived there for 18 years. Even after moving to Maine, his love of the city could be recognized by the New York Yankees cap that he could be seen to proudly sport. He continued his scholarly pursuits with a Post-Doctoral NIS Fellowship at Harvard Unversity, carrying on his academic research, teaching, and writing in epistemology and the philosophy of science. He moved to California in the 1980s to teach in the California State University system. He returned to Harvard to complete two years as a GSAS Visiting Fellow to conclude his scholarly work.

In his spare time, Rick began his first novel, which was published in 2001. A second novel followed several years later. Despite his academic interests and achievements, Rick's strongest interest was in his fellow human beings. An intuitive observer and a great conversationalist, Rick enjoyed nothing more than spending time with friends discussing every subject under the sun. He was unstinting in offering support when others were in need. Rick also loved meeting new people and was adept at putting them at ease.

A highlight of Rick's life was Fountain Books, Eastport, where he ran the old-fashioned soda fountain and bookstore. He could be found behind the fountain dispensing generous ice cream cones and good humor. Rick was proud of his Macedonian and Greek heritage and enjoyed sharing Greek-American culture and especially food! - with others. His greatest joy was in seeing others happy and well fed. Since moving to Bangor, Rick has been a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He appreciated the opportunity to worship in the Orthodox tradition in which he had been raised and to be a part of such a wonderful community.

His family wishes to thank the Bangor Fire Department and emergency medical technicians for their many appearances and assistance, and to all those who gave him such care and concern during his illness. Rick is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Ellen; son, Kobe; mother, Athena Pappas; brother, Matt Angel; sister, Naomi Angel; and sister, Maria Tsilimidos. He was predeceased by his father, Teodor H. Angel.

Family and friends may visit 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, where a Trisagion service will begin 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Sanford Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Adam Metropoulos, presbyter, presiding. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 90 Sanford St., Bangor, ME 04401.

Published in BDN Maine from March 12 to March 13, 2012

BEST DANCERS - Rick Angel and Wendy Burtis

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED - Sue Farquhar and Rick Angel

Dennis David Coles, BHS 1971

Dennis David Coles, BHS 1971

OCTOBER 29, 1952 - MARCH 6, 2012

I received the following e-mail this afternoon from Deborah Coles, BHS '70, asking me to let the BHS '71 Class know that her brother, Dennis Coles, died on March 6, 2012, in Louisiana, at age 59. I'm sending this to the members of the last '71 Reunion Committee, along with other '71 alumni that I have e-mail addresses for.

Dennis Coles grew up at 619 University in Burbank, and went all the way through school at Thomas Jefferson, John Muir, and BHS, graduating in 1971. His sister, Deborah Coles, from the BHS '70 Class, still lives in Burbank. Their parents are both deceased.

Alan Landros, BHS 1970



Glenn A. Brown, Jr., BHS 1973

Glenn A. Brown, Jr., BHS 1973

Glenn A. Brown, Jr. Esq.

October 1, 1955 to March 1, 2012

Glenn was a beloved son, brother, uncle and a graduate of Burbank High School ’73, UCLA 78, B.A in History, Loyola Law School ’82 J.D., Cum Laude. As a young person he achieved the honor of Eagle Scout and enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Burbank High School marching band. At UCLA he participated on the debate team, became an avid UCLA sports fan and created life-long friendships.

For the past 30 years, Glenn was engaged in all phases of litigation, arbitration, mediation and settlement. He served at Wasserman, Comden and Casselman from 1987-2002 (achieving partner in 1997). He was an Arbitrator with LA Superior Courts since 1988, a Mediator with LA Superior Court and an Attorney Settlement Officer with US District Court.

His passion was UCLA athletics which inspired him to create the PowderKegBlue.com website – that contains many of his photos of UCLA athletics. He noted that the heartbeat of the site was to give a perspective of a Bruin athletic event as seen by a UCLA fan from pre-game, game and post-game activities.

He is survived by his parents, Martha & Glenn Brown, sisters Carol Chapman and Wendy Day-Brown, nieces Marissa & Kia Chapman and nephew Tyler Day Dykhuizen. Glenn was preceded in death by his niece Hillary Chapman and brother-in-law Charles Chapman.

Good-bye Glenn, we miss you.

A Memorial service was held on March 9, 2012 at Pierce Brothers Mortuary in North Hollywood. Donations in Glenn’s memory can be made to the Wooden Athletic Fund at UCLA.

Burbank Leader, March 9, 2012

Deanna Marie Yates VanNewkirk, BHS 1983

Deanna Yates VanNewkirk, BHS 1983

Deanna VanNewKirk was diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver and Colon cancer about a year ago. She opted for some radical treatment and wound up at The Cancer Center of Chicago for surgery this past week. When they opened her up, they found additional tumors that were not present on her last cat scan. They closed her back up, canceled future chemotherapy treatments, and told her there was nothing more they could do for her. They put her on a commercial flight back to Phoenix last night and Hospice was waiting at her home in Anthem, AZ to help with the last days.

Hands Across Anthem


Friends and family of the late Deanna VanNewKirk will be holding a car wash at the CVS on the corner of Anthem Way and Gavilan Peak tomorrow, Saturday, March 10th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. All monies raised will go to help Deanna's teenage daughter, Kylie, pay for Deanna's final medical bills. Please stop by and get your car washed for a good cause.


Deanna's family would like to share their eternal loving memory of their Mother, Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin, and Friend. Deanna returned home to her Heavenly Father on February 24, 2012 after a battle with cancer.

Deanna's smile, positive attitude, generosity, and love for life touched so many people. To honor Deanna, we will have a funeral service to celebrate her wonderful life. Deanna is survived by her two children, Cade and Kylie VanNewkirk. Burbank Funeral Service, Saturday, March 3, 2012

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter... Day Saints

136 North Sunset Canyon
Burbank, CA 91501


Greet Family 10:15 - 10:45 am
Service 11:00 am

Procession to Cemetery Immediately Following Service

Pierce Brothers Valhalla
10621 Victory Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606


Luncheon Immediately Following Dedication


Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
136 North Sunset Canyon
Burbank, CA 91501


In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Deanna's children, Cade and Kylie VanNewkirk. A donation account has been set up at: Deer Valley Credit Union, 15458 North 28th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85053, (602) 375-7300, Account Number 715191-1000.