Michael Davis | 1937-2008
Violinist stood out as performer, teacher
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 3:12 AM
By Gary Budzak

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Michael Davis
Violinist Michael Davis, concertmaster of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra for all of its 20 seasons, died Sunday at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was 70.

The cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), said his partner, Nelson Harper.

Davis, who was born in Hull, England, was also a professor emeritus of violin in the Ohio State University School of Music, where he taught for many years.

"We were expecting to attend a performance of his in another couple of months, so that's heartbreaking," said Mellasenah Morris, director of the school. "Everyone loved him. He was such a fine gentleman and a wonderful artist, great teacher, great colleague."

Davis was a former concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Columbus Bach Ensemble and Scottish National Orchestra.

A student of noted violinists Yehudi Menuhin and Max Rostal, Davis recorded 12 albums and performed frequently in central Ohio.

He lived in Upper Arlington.

Other colleagues offered e-mail tributes to Davis.

"Our community has lost a deeply caring artist," wrote Ruth Triplett Haddock, executive director of the Jefferson Academy of Music at OSU. "Michael Davis has been a personal friend for more than 40 years and a friend to the musical arts and music students throughout a life cut too short by a tragic illness."

"Michael's extraordinary musical gifts proved to mean something greater than just performing," wrote Gary Sheldon, conductor of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra. "He showed that music can teach something about humanity, about connecting people with their families and with their communities. . . . He was ultimately an educator who gave something from his heart to every student, every orchestra and every audience."

"Michael Davis added greatly to the spirit of the Lancaster Festival," wrote Lou Ross, executive director. "Michael was a joy to be with and to listen to. He will be sorely missed."

A tribute concert is scheduled for May 5 at OSU. No funeral is planned.

Condolences can be sent to www.schoedinger.com.

Former police chief dies, Upper Gwynedd mourns
By Tony Di Domizio,


Wayne Cassel was a modest man, one who never looked for credit in what he did but maintained a very high work ethic nonetheless.


The former Upper Gwynedd Township police chief passed away Feb. 26 at the age of 67 after a long battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Even during his illness, Wayne continued to do what he loved. He built a covered bridge that can be found in the backyard of his Cardinal Way home in Towamencin, much like the one he built at his former home on Fretz Road.
The 1958 North Penn graduate also continued to influence members of the police department where he was highly respected.
Susan Cassel, Wayne's wife of 22 years and employee at the township, used many words to describe her husband: kind, full of perseverance, gentle, modest.
"He was a very modest person and never looked for credit," she said. "I don't know what people said about him, but most have said what a nice person he was."
In the past Wayne enjoyed hunting and golfing, but his biggest joy was working in the yard and building with his hands.
"He enjoyed building and working in the garden and cutting the grass - he worked very hard on our home here," Susan said. "He built two covered bridges. One is in the backyard of his old home on Fretz Road and he built the second one during his illness."
Wayne was a friendly neighbor, waving to people of his neighborhood as he drove by or talking to them when he tinkered with the big camper that once sat in front of his house.
"We bought that as he was diagnosed with ALS," Susan said. "We used it. We went to Texas, New England, Virginia, and down to the shore. We didn't get as far as we would have liked, but he really enjoyed it."
Simply put, Wayne enjoyed life.
"He fought a very long battle with ALS, very valiantly and never complained," Susan said. "He lived his life to the very end. He worked up until last week, even though he was in a wheelchair."
Susan will always remember him as a very selfless man.
"He was a very gentle man," she said. "I hope he will be remembered as such."
Dave Poirier, deputy chief of Upper Gwynedd police, will surely remember him that way.
"Chief Cassel was a very kind person," Poirier said. "He worked very hard here at the police department and he had an influence on a lot of young officers' careers."
Poirier came to the department in 1990, when Cassel was a deputy chief. When Cassel was appointed acting chief in July 1992, there would be a 12-year gap before the department would see a deputy chief again.
"I'm honored to be in his shoes after a long time," Poirier said. "I aspire to have a career as successful as his."
Poirier also remembers Cassel as a man of understanding and compassion.
When Poirier's daughter was born as a premature baby, he said it was "touch and go for three months."
"Chief Cassel extended the utmost leniency for me to leave work to go to Abington Hospital if I needed to," he said. "He cared very much. He understood families came first. I'll never forget how he understood that and accommodated my needs."
Poirier agreed that Cassel was selfless.
"He was willing to give," he said. "Once, there was this young officer retiring, and he worked the streets so the guys closest to the officer could go to the event. A deputy chief to pull a shift is rare. He put others first and he will be missed without a doubt."
Former Upper Gwynedd Chief Bob Freed, who retired Friday, was hired in 1972 and at that time Cassel was a patrol sergeant.
"He was a fine gentleman," Freed said. "He had a commitment and dedication to law enforcement in Upper Gwynedd and the community."
He said Freed was able to keep public safety in the township up and running at a time when manpower was suppressed.
"He had great character and dealt with everything fairly and did his best for his service in the community," he said. "He will be missed."
Cassel joined the department in 1962 as a patrolman, becoming sergeant in 1971 and deputy chief in 1979. He was named acting chief in July 1992 and appointed chief in March 1993, after William Herr retired Dec. 31, 1992. He remained as chief until his retirement in 1995 to work in the security division of Merck, where he remained until 1999.
Commissioner James Santi was quoted in 1993 as saying Cassel never missed a day of work in nine years. He was named Outstanding Young Officer of the Year by the Lansdale Jaycees in 1976.
Prior to his police career Cassel served as an MP in the Army from 1959 to 1962. He said in a 1993 interview that it was his desire to be a police officer ever since elementary school.
"It was my desire, my career. I don't ever think I regretted it," he said in a 1987 interview. "You have to want to do it. To take a job as a police officer just to make a living isn't a good idea. It requires a lot of dedication if you want to do a good job on the street, and you can't do it just between 9 and 5."
Wayne certainly lived up to his word.

Former Duplin commissioner, Pleasant Grove chief dies
MOUNT OLIVE -- Former Duplin County Commissioner Larry Howard of the White Flash community of Duplin County died Sunday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

His wife of 42 years, Janet, said Howard passed peacefully around midnight Saturday. He went to the hospital Friday night.

Howard, 61, suffered from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The disorder attacked Howard's neuromuscular system, leaving him unable to move his hands and arms for a long time, Mrs. Howard said.

Howard had been ill for about two years, his wife said. Active for most of his life, the consequences of his illness were difficult for him to take, she added.

"He was ready, as active as he had been," she said.

Howard worked more than 34 years for Carolina Telephone until his retirement in 2000.

But retirement didn't slow him down.

Howard was used to a vigorous life. He served eight years on the Duplin County Board of Commis-sioners, part of that time serving as chairman. He was a past master in the St. John's Masonic Lodge in Kenansvillle.

At one time, Howard worked full time at the telephone company, served as fire chief with the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department he started more than 30 years ago and sat on the Board of County Commissioners.

Howard was happiest with a full plate, said Fred Rouse, who took over as fire chief when Howard retired from Pleasant Grove.

"He was missed when he was sick, and he will be missed more now," Rouse said. "He taught me a lot, got me on the right track to take over as the new chief when he left."

During his tenure with the fire department, Howard helped get emergency medical services started in the county.

In addition to his wife, Howard leaves behind two sons, Jeffrey Scott Howard and his wife, Stephanie, and Patrick Scott Howard.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Tyndall Funeral Home, with Bishop Hugh Harper, Bishop Joseph Scott and the Rev. Linda Grider officiating. Entombment will follow in Devotional Gardens at Warsaw and will include Masonic rites.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 until 9 p.m., and at other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to The ALS Foundation, Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter, 120-101 Penmarc Drive, Raleigh, N.C. 27603, or to the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department and E.M.S., 1794 Red Hill Road, Mount Olive, N.C. 28365.

By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on March 10, 2008 01:49 PM

Long-Time Political Worker Dies

Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 - 08:34 AM


A one time top aide to U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy has passed away. Tony Marcella, 43, died Tuesday after a long illness and complications from ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.

Marcella worked in politics, first for a speaker of the Massachusetts house, then for Sen. Edward Kennedy and later for Patrick Kennedy. He most recently worked for House Majority leader Gordon Fox at the Rhode Island state house.

Marcella was a native of Everett, Mass.

Baildon mourn loss of club stalwart
By Sports Desk


Players and officials of Baildon have been saddened by news of the death of loyal club servant Tony Reed.

Reed, 62, passed away after a two-year battle with motor neuron disease.

He was a hugely popular figure, not just at Jenny Lane where he served as junior chairman, committee man, secretary and groundsman.


Baildon official Mick Illingworth said: "The club has lost a great friend. Our thoughts at this time are with his wife Gill, and his sons Chris and Matthew."

Reed's funeral will take place at Nab Wood Crematorium at 1.20pm on Monday.

Tony Marcella, 43; active in Democratic politics

01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, March 13, 2008

BY MICHAEL P. McKINNEY

Projo.com staff writer

Marcella
Tony Marcella, a former chief aide to U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy whose work extended to working as a lobbyist and Democratic consultant, died Tuesday from complications associated with ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 43.

A native of Everett, Mass., Marcella was described by friends yesterday as a man who thoroughly enjoyed politics on the inside and outside, starting in the 1980s with the former speaker of the House in Massachusetts, George Keverian.

After working on U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s reelection campaign in 1988 and serving in the senator’s Boston office, Marcella moved to Rhode Island to work with Kennedy’s son, Patrick, who was in his third year as a state legislator representing voters in Mount Pleasant.

By then, says another former Kennedy aide, Chris Vitale, Marcella was convinced that Patrick Kennedy should be in Congress and managed the 1994 election that took both of them to Washington. As Kennedy’s spokesman and chief of staff until 2001, he undertook duties such as coordinating the visits to Rhode Island of two heads of state — the presidents of Portugal and Italy.

Marcella returned to State House politics to work for two years as executive assistant to Rhode Island House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, D-Providence.

“Politics was truly in his blood and he loved every detail,” Kennedy said in a statement yesterday. “It is with a heavy heart that I bid goodbye to my dear friend.”

Although he struggled with some symptoms associated with ALS for two or three years, he was diagnosed with the disease only a few months ago. He left Newport, where he headed the lobbying and consulting group Strategic Associates and managed Guillaume de Ramel’s failed race against A. Ralph Mollis to become the Democratic nominee for secretary of state, to go back to Boston to be with his parents, Angela and Anthony Marcella Sr., his sister Kim, and brother-in-law, Chris.

In a statement yesterday, Fox said Marcella’s political instincts were second to none. “But what I will always remember the most about Tony was his ability to laugh and to have fun.

“There is a very social aspect to politics and Tony thoroughly enjoyed planning and attending events and functions, or just going out to dinner with a group of his Rhode Island political friends. He was truly one of a kind.”

The funeral will be at Immaculate Conception Church, 487-489 Broadway in Everett, Saturday at 11 a.m. Calling hours at Frederick Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St., Everett, are 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow.


— With reports from staff writer Richard Dujardin

mmckinne@projo.com

Steven Robert Brooks
June 14, 1951 - March 11, 2008. Steven Robert Brooks was born on June 14, 1951, to James and JoAnne Brooks, in Holland, Michigan. He grew up in Michigan with sister Susie and brother Jim. Steve attended high school at Culver Military Academy, college at Ohio Wesleyan, and seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary. Steve is survived by wife Linda, the love of his life, whom he married March 1, 1980. Steve is also survived by son Ross (age 30) and wife Lindsey, daughter Bree (age 25) boyfriend Riley, and son Ben (age 24) and wife Katie. Steve lived a full life, ripe with the blessings of grief, joy, and praise. In 1978, Steve's first wife Kathy was killed in a car crash in Omaha, Nebraska, with the wife of good friend Ron Gray. In the midst of that tragedy, God spoke to Steve: "You never knew you could hurt this bad, did you? Well, you need to know that my love for you is even bigger than your hurt." It was this message that led Steve and Ron to start Springs Community Church in 1985, a church built on bringing God's grace to the hurting, broken, and messy people of Colorado Springs, who needed to know that God's love was bigger than their hurts, that His light was bigger than their darkness. Steve dedicated his life to shining God's light all over Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States, and even overseas. Steve reflected Christ's light when he started inviting young families to a new church that met in a storefront on Academy Boulevard. People found a place where they didn't have to be dressed up or churched-up in order to fit in. They could just be loved for who they were. Steve reflected Christ's light when he ministered to so many families that found themselves in midst of tragedy. When children were lost too early, when marriages fell apart, when kids lost their Moms or Dads, Steve brought light into their darkness by offering the tender and gentle love of Christ. Steve used his wounded heart to embrace those of us who were hurting. Steve reflected Christ's light by being a racial bridge builder. He reached out to Black congregations and formed friendships and networks between churches that had been divided by racial walls for centuries. He joined God in His work of racial reconciliation in Colorado Springs. Steve reflected Christ's light by leading Springs Community to help start Forest Ridge Community Church in Monument Colorado. Today in Monument, 100's of people have found a new life in Christ thanks to Steve's leadership and service. Steve reflected Christ's light when he served as the president for the Reformed Church in America. He called on the denomination to be committed to prayer and asked our churches to become houses of prayer. Churches and believers all across the nation and world have been blessed through renewed vision and vitality because he led them back to the feet of God. In October 2006, Steve was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, which progressed into Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's disease) in April 2007. Steve peacefully left his earthly body to begin dancing in heaven on the morning of March 11, 2008. He will be remembered in the lives, hearts, and minds of the thousands he touched while here. His spirit lives on as a loving father, devoted husband, trusting friend, unwavering leader, humble servant, and vessel of God's light. The impact of Steve's life will continue to be felt for generations as those he touched will continue to stand in the flow of God's amazing love and grace; Steve called this "standing in Grace River." Thank you, Steve for everything you are to us. You were so good to the depths of your soul, always serving others, forgiving, honest, and loving. We love you so much and will miss you! Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10am at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. Memorial contributions can be made to: ALS Association-Rocky Mountain Chapter, 1201 E Colfax Ave., Suite 202, Denver, CO 80218 and/or Springs Commmunity Church (New Church Plant) 7290 Lexington Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
Published in The Gazette from 3/13/2008 - 3/14/2008.

Schmaltz, Raymond

Raymond Schmaltz

DICKINSON - Raymond Schmaltz, 46, Dickinson, died March 9, 2008, at his home, from ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Thursday, March 13, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dickinson. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Dickinson.

He is survived by five children, Chelsey, Christian, Desirae, Dustin and Shelby Schmaltz, all of Dickinson; his mother, Adeline, Dickinson; his grandson, Jeffrey Ray; and nine siblings, LaVerne Kessel, Dayton, Wash., Donna Betlaf, Sharon Roshau, Pat Wolf, Bertie Gustafson, Nick Jr. and Bernie Wolf, all of Dickinson, Linda Wanner, Gladstone, and Char Maychrzak, Scranton. (Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson)

Published in The Bismarck Tribune on 3/12/2008.

Disease claims climber before last ascent

By RAY WEISS
Staff Writer
Andrew Hebson never fulfilled his final dream.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, took his life before he climbed Ecuador's Mount Chimborazo, the world's highest volcanic peak, rising 20,702 feet.

Hebson, who split his latter years between Ormond Beach and Jacksonville, was diagnosed with the terminal illness in January 2005. He died Feb. 29 at age 54.

Last September, Hebson worked out regularly, pushing his failing muscles with the help of a son for a November expedition that was rescheduled for this spring.

Hebson grew up in the mountains of Virginia and Kentucky and started climbing them as a young boy. As an adult, he made his living as a commercial diver, custom boat builder and racehorse owner. In his free time, he competed much of his life as a weightlifter and bodybuilder, winning many awards.

But climbing the world's highest peaks became his true passion.

Among his conquests were the grandest peak in 2000, Mount Everest, rising 29,028 feet, and Mount Cho Oyu in 1999 at nearly 27,000 feet.

Hebson and Cindy Chapman of Ormond Beach climbed Mount Pico de Orizaba in Mexico in 2003, where the final 4,000 feet was vertical ice. They reached the summit of the 19,000-foot mountain at sunrise Thanksgiving Day. It was her first climb, a life-affirming experience she won't forget -- just like she won't forget her friend's courage and strong will.

"It's an awful shock," she said on hearing Friday of Hebson's death. "What I'll remember most was that he never gave up. He never gave up."

ray.weiss@news-jrnl.com

Westbrook shared her zeal for cooking, life
By Lori Kennedy
Star-News Correspondent
Published: Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 2:08 a.m.
Union County, N.C., produced its first celebrity when a young 4-H member, Nellie Westbrook, entered the Betty Crocker Cherry Pie Baking Contest, and won.

Westbrook would go on to win local and state titles for her cherry pie baked with a secret ingredient - hog lard, and appeared on WBT-TV's The Betty Feezor Show in Charlotte.

Westbrook died of Lou Gehrig's disease on Jan. 20, at age 70.

A maternal uncle of Westbrook's had succumbed to the same disease previously, so her family knew what to expect. Younger sibling Janet Griffin recalls the experience with the heartbreaking disease.

"We could never keep up with the rate of the disease; we'd get to one stage and she'd progress to the next one," Griffin said.

Westbrook's cooking talents would not be the only things talked about in her hometown of Monroe. She developed a perfect pitch for singing, in addition to her gifted piano hands at the age of 3, when her family realized her ability to mimic any song she heard in church and immediately play it back. Her ability to learn fast developed into a love of teaching, which she practiced on her younger sibling, Griffin.

Westbrook wanted to perfect everything she did, even her attendance as a child at Antioch Baptist Church. During the days of the polio epidemic, all children were restricted from attending any public functions. But this didn't stop Westbrook. Her parents drove her and Griffin to the church parking lot one Sunday morning and let them stay in the car with the windows rolled down. They were on church premises, so it counted.

Westbrook honed her teaching skills at East Carolina University, where she met her husband of 50 years, Richard Westbrook, and later obtained her master's degree in teaching from UNC-Greensboro. She shared her teaching talents at Andrews High School and High Point Central High School.

In 1988 the Westbrooks moved to Ocean Isle Beach, where Westbrook taught home economics at South Brunswick High and Brunswick Community College until her retirement. But Westbrook was not one to stay dormant. She always had a desire for volunteering and at times devoted more than 40 hours a week to Pilot Clubs, nursing homes and high schools, even while working full time.

"She enjoyed helping others and had great ideas on how to make people's lives a little better in the world we live in," daughter Candice Mayo said.

Westbrook assisted the South Brunswick Islands Pilot Club in writing grants, which provided patients at the Autumn Care in Shallotte with an Alzheimer's garden and wheelchair swing so patients unable to walk could at least swing again.

Westbrook's advocacy for disabled and special needs children and adults garnered her the Special Olympics 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award for Brunswick County.

Lifelong family friend Beth Allred remembers Westbrook as her "other mother" and the sister her own mother never had. After marrying her husband in the Westbrooks' house in Jamestown, of course catered by Nellie, Allred recalls the endless times Westbrook gave of herself.

"She gave to all she touched - a smile, kind words, a lesson in life and encouragement as only she could give," Allred said.