Good & Welfare

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.

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.

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. His CLT credits include; Rugrats, Switched at Birth, Independence Day, Dante’s Peak, Wild at Heart, Mall Cop, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, New Girl, Friends with Benefits and many, many more.

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.

I deeply regret having to inform the membership of the passing of Donald “Don” Lewis on June 15^th 2024 at the age of 74.
Brother Lewis was a 48-year member of Local 728 having been sworn in September of 1976.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Brother William Silic, age 70, passed away on April 5th. Brother Silic retired in 2017 after over 40 years as a member of Local 728.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Blomgren Ranch located at 15142 Sierra Hwy | Santa Clarita, CA 91390 | Time: 1PM