February, 1990 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Page 9
OBITUARIES
Thom David Gianfagna
Thom David Gianfagna, born Feb. 17, 1941, a.k.a. "Mr. Community Center," left us on Jan. 19, 1990. A John Carroll University graduate and Viet Nam veteran, Thom was for 22 years a teacher in the Cleveland publis schools. He was a former GEAR board member and officer, active in the Men's Action Commitee and Equals; a Friday Night Rap facilitator at the Lesbian-Gay Community Center, and participated in both the 1979 and 1987 marches on Washington for lesbian and gay rights.
Thom is survived by his students, fellow teachers, family and friends who knew and loved him. Thom, "You have gone on without us and have left us without your light to struggle in the dark."
Lubomyr I. Cybyk
On December 23, 1989 the LesbianGay Community Service Center and Presence and Respect for Youth in Sexual Minority lost a special person, Lubomyr I. Cybyk, at age 21 of complications of an arythmic heart condition.
Lu had been active at the Center and a founding member of PRYSM. Lu was a very special person; he loved life to the maximum. He radiated this love to everyone he touched.
Lu first came to the Center in early 1988, rather confused and scared. Since that time Lu grew to be the loving, caring and very spontaneous person that we all knew and loved. Lu's spontaneous trips to Canada and western New York were famous. Lu also has a tremendous love for nature, the outdoors and animals.
Black, Gay, Proud
When writer and activist Joseph Beam became frustrated that so little gay literature spoke to him as a black gay man, he did something about it: the result was In the Life, an anthology which takes its name from a black slang expression for "gay." Here, thirty-three writers and artists explore what it means to be doubly different black and gay in modern America. Their stories, essays, poetry, and artwork voice the concerns and aspirations of an often silent minority.
"A powerful work of love; words truly from the heart. In the Life is a book about our passion
our pas-
sion for love, our passion for freedom." Rites (Toronto)
IN THE LIFE
by Joseph Beam
$9.00 in bookstores,
or clip this ad and return with your
check for $10.00 (postpaid) to order.
name:
address:
city:
state:
This is exemplified by his involvement in PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Lu's love for art was also legendary. His favorite painter, Mark Rotho, influenced some of Lu's own artwork. Among Lu's favorite pastimes were bicycling, camping and listening to classical music.
especially Bob Boone, Michael J. Ian (Ernie) Horvath
D'Onofrio and Elle Schneider. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to PETA, the Cleveland Museum of Art, or the Center, in Lu's name.
If there is one lesson that all of us can John Stephen
take from this tragic loss is to enjoy life to its fullest and to love one another unselfishly, because this is what Lu believe in wholeheartedly.
Lu Cybyk
Lu is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Cybyk, his two brothers, Bohdan and Roman and sister Mika. Also surviving are all his stuffed animals and friends,
Palkovic
Local dentist John Palkovic died of a heart attack on January 1, 1990. He was 37 years old.
Palkovic was a longtime member of the Cleveland gay community and will be missed by his friends and patients.
Morton A. Glaser
A fixture at most CWRU Lesbian and Gay Conferences and other community events, Morton Glaser was friend of the lesbian and gay community. He also attended the Friday night rap group at the Center, and was a member of Chevrei Tikva. Glaser was found in his apartment in Shaker Heights on January 15.
A social activist, Glaser was active in trying to get the Shaker Heights and Cuyahoga Libraries to merge. His proposal had failed last time it was on the ballot.
Glaser was honored by the Plain Dealer for his letter writing and activism. He is survived by a sister.
Cleveland Ballet co-founder and artistic director Ernie Horvath died of complications of AIDS in New York City on January 4, 1990.
In 1976, Horvath and his lover Dennis Nahat started the Cleveland Ballet along with Horvath's teacher Charles Nicoll. Horvath was not only the artistic director, but often was as soloist with the company.
He left the Cleveland Ballet in 1983 to become the producing director of the Jose Limon Foundation in New York. In 1987, Horvath was the subject of a Cleveland Magazine article outlining his struggle with AIDS and his relationship with Nahat.
Donations or memorials are requested to be sent to the Jose Limon Foundation, 38 East 19th Street, New York, 10003.
Obituary policy
Obituaries are published free of charge as a service to the community. We depend on friends or family to notify us of the death, and provide us with information on the deceased's life and involvement with the community. As we are short on staff, we especially appreciate it if you provide us with a completed obituary of less than 250 words. A photo will be included if one is provided; please indicate if you want it returned, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include your name and phone number so we may contact you.
Mail obituaries to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, 44101, no later than the second Monday in the month. They can be hand-delivered up to the third Monday, call 321-1129. We cannot take information over the phone. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
Cleveland Public Theatre
presents
Still Life
by Emily Mann
directed by Bill Beck
February 23-March 10, 1990 Thursday-Saturday 8:00 Sunday at 3:00
Tickets $7.00 general $5.00 student/senior
For information/reservations
call 631-2727
6415 Detroit Ave. at West 65th
zip:
ALYSON PUBLICATIONS
Dept. P-10; 40 Plympton St. Boston, MA 02118
A docu-drama exploring the dark, hot, tangle of war, sex, domestic violence and art.