Notice of passing: Brother John Carney on July 14th, 2024

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of John Carney on July 14^th 2024. Brother Carney was 79 years old. He was a 35-year member of Local 728 after taking his oath of obligation in May of 1989. John retired from work in 2016 after a 27 year career as a set lighting technician at which time he moved to the Santa Cruz area.

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Notice of passing: Troy Balcorta-Gonzalez on 7-25-2024

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Brother Troy Balcorta-Gonzalez on 7-24-2024 at the age of 27. Troy became a member of Local 728 on September 7^th, 2022.

Notice of passing: Brother Brian J. White on July 3rd 2024

It is my great regret to report the passing of member Brian J. White in an automobile accident on July 3rd at the age of 22. Brian became a member of Local 728 in August 2022. His father is our Local 728 brother, Jeff White.

Notice of passing: Curtiss Bradford on July 1st, 2024

I greatly regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Curtiss Bradford on July 1st at the age of 72. Brother Bradford was a 31-year-member of Local 728, swearing into membership in October 1992. His career as a lighting technician goes back much further than that. Curtiss was a long-time Gaffer.

Notice of member passing: Alberto Alonso on 6-13-24

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Alberto Alonso on Thursday June 13^th, 2024 at the age of 54.

Brother Alonso became a 19-year member of Local 728 in 2004. He worked as a CLT, ACLT, Lighting and Rigging technician primarily on feature films and television series. He retired in 2020.

Notice of member passing: Don Lewis on 6-15-24

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Notice of passing: Yasha Sklansky on May16th, 2024

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Yasha Sklansky age 95 on May 16^th 2024. Until this year, Brother Sklansky was the only Local 728 member who held an IATSE Retiree Gold Card. Yasha joined Local 728 on July 15^th, 1978 and remained in membership until his passing, a 46-year membership.

Yasha was born in the former Soviet Union and graduated from the Moscow Film School with a degree in cinematography. He emigrated to the United States in 1974. He frequently worked as a Director of Photography on several notable films.

Notice of passing: David Pondella on April 19th, 2024

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of David “Dave” Pondella on April19, 2024 at age 84. Brother Pondella became the head of Set Lighting at Paramount Studios before moving on to becoming a studio back-lot vice-president at Lorimar Studios (today’s Sony Pictures Studio and previously MGM). Upon returning to active membership Dave returned to Paramount where he became a studio ACLT before eventually retiring in 2006.

Notice of passing: Craig Horwitz on April 14th, 2024

I regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Craig Horwitz on April 14^th, 2024 at the age of 64. Brother Horwitz became a member of Local 728 on March 6^th, 1997 and left membership in 2013 after 15 years of service to the industry.

Notice of member passing: George "Geordie" MacDonald on 5-26-24

George "Geordie" MacDonald passed away on 5-26-24. He was 84 years of age. Brother MacDonald was a 32 year member of Local 728 after having spent the bulk of his career as a member of NABET from 1958-1992 when that union merged with IATSE. "Geordie" worked mostly as a commercial gaffer and in later years as his DP's retired or moved on, he worked as a balloon tech in the early days of that technical field.

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