In Memorium Charleston Raconteurs in Charleston, SC

IN MEMORIUM

We forget history is not something that happened long, long ago. You and I make history every day.

Who knows who among us will have our stories told in the history books of the future? Probably ot many, I know. Nevertheless, the contributions we make to our communities form the true foundations of history. The heroes, the famous, those who make news, are not the only ones who make history; it's the everyday people - you and I - who are at its core.

This page is dedicated to those whose names you may or may not see in the history textbooks of the future; yet each has played a role in the lives of their communities, and they should not be forgotten.

Thus within a completely subjective framework, I have recorded a small bit about the lives of people whose lives I have found interesting for one reason or another, who have done their part to make history in their own way.

Marvin "Jerry" Gerome Beach (March 19, 1950 - June 29, 2023) leveraged his gregarious nature and perfect head of hair into a successful sales career. He served as a mentor not only to his own children, but also to every child selling lemonade with whom he crossed paths. According to his obit, Jerry was an amazing cook, fantastic tipper, and could swallow two slices of white bread in under a minute without even a sip of water.

Elizabeth Rice Burbage of Ridgeville died at the age of 95 on Aug. 22, 2023. She retired from Summerville School District 2, having spent 26 years as a lunch room worker for a generation of children.

John E. Day, senior engineer and director of maintenance at ALUMAX of SC, a smelting plant near Mt. Holly, passed away July 15, 2023. Having joined the company at its inception in 1980, he received global recognition for his leadership in the recovery and startup of the plant after its forced shutdown during Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Thomas Charles DiFiglio, a Charleston resident born in Brooklyn, NY, passed away June 9, 2024. He taught in Charleston for several years before opening a Planet Fitess, bringing in Lou Ferrigno for the grand opening. Sen. Strom Thurmond also visited. He moved to Florida for many years, where he dabbled in stand-up comedy and was Burt Reynold's double on the television show, B.L. Stryker. He moved back to Charleston shortly before his death.

Journalist, author and corporate executive William T. "Bill" Farley Jr., 79, born July 11, 1944 , in Yonkers, N.Y., died Oct. 17, 2023 in Mount Pleasant. Farley was educated at the Horace Mann School in New York City and the Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn., before earning his BA from Cornell University. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in New York and subsequently served as a news director and on-air talent for several area radio stations including WCBS Newsradio88. He joined the American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. as a network television writer/producer, first with ABC News, where he worked on coverage of major stories including the Democratic and Republican national nominating conventions, the missions of Apollo 11, 12 and 13 and the 1972 Olympic tragedy at Munich, Germany. Moving to ABC Sports, his assignments included Monday Night Football, the Indianapolis 500 and the PGA tour. He moved to Los Angeles and ABC's prime time entertainment division, continuing to work on West Coast-based news and sports stories as well as network specials and series such as "Taxi," "Barney Miller" and "The Redd Foxx Show." Farley was hired by Playboy Enterprises, Inc. in 1981 to help launch the company's groundbreaking cable television channel, Playboy TV. He continued to work on special projects for Playboy until 1984 when he returned to ABC to serve as Manager of Information for the nearly 100 nations covering the 1984 Summer Olympic Games on television and radio. At the conclusion of the Olympic year, he returned to Playboy full-time, ultimately serving as Vice President, Marketing; Vice President, Playboy Jazz Festivals, Inc.; and President of the Playboy Models/Play-mate Promotions agency. During those years he had overall responsibility for all special events parties at the Playboy Mansion and served as principal media spokesman for Hugh M. Hefner. He retired in 2005 to Mount Pleasant, where he returned to journalism, writing nearly 200 articles for publications, including Charleston Living Magazine, Moultrie News, and Lowcountry (Senior) Sun. At the time of his death, he was writing for Health Links Magazine and Mount Pleasant Magazine. He was the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, among them Apollo 11: Man's Greatest Adventure, The Unofficial Guide to the 1984 Summer Games, the entertainment industry satirical novel Sex... In The Crosshairs and Team Player, a mystery/thriller. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested donations to the National Rifle Association, the Marijuana Policy Project, and the Charleston SPCA.

Raquel Conchita Lawson Fielding died Oct. 8, 2023, at the at of 89. She was a 1956 graduate of Hampton Institute (now University), graduating with honors in in business education. She retired in 1998 after 40 years of service with the U.S. Customs Services, the first African-American woman employed by that ageny. The widow of Judge Bernard Rodolph Fielding Sr., Mrs. Fielding was an ex-officio employee of Charleston's largest African-American funeral home, serving as Secretary of the Board for the corporation, which announced its closure a week after her death. She was active in many local service groups including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, National Hampton Alumni Association, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Charleston Chapter of The Links, Inc.

Marsha E. Hass, Esq., one of the first group women to live in a Clemson dormitory, died at the age of 76 on July 17, 2023. She earned her M.A.T., M.B.A., and J.D. degrees from USC, though remained a lifelong Tiger fan. Her obit said she was a complex person with great ability and talent who grew up and worked in a man's world where she was not afraid to speak her mind. While serving as a Folly Beach magistrate, she let local police know not to bring charges against a prostitute unless they also brought in the john. She spent the later part of her career as a Professor of Business Law at College of Charleston. She loved to fish and at one time was the only licensed female charter boat captain on the East Coast.

Sam Kirshtein, 98, died July 30, 2023. The list of contributions and leadership roles Sam held during his lifetime took up an entire column in the July 31 Post and Courier. A lifelong Charlestonian, he was an active alumnus and athletic supporter of the College of Charleston. A local business leader, Sam was a partner in his family's business, Dixie Furniture, Charleston's oldest extant furniture store and long-time anchor of upper King Street before upper King Street became cool. A generation of Charlestonians remember its advertising slogan, "Dixie'll do it, 'cause Dixie dooooooon't care!" Sam and his wife Mitzi were active in Charleston's Jewish community as well. Gov. Mark Sanford awarded Sam the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in 2005 for the many ways in which he made a difference in his community. He was one of the happiest, nicest guys I ever met, and made me immediately feel at home when, as President of the C of C Alumni Association, he welcomed me to its board in 1998.

Professor Michael S. Kogan, who specialized in Jewish and Christian theology, passed away in Charleston April 6, 2024. With a B.A. in philosophy and Ph.D. in religious studies from Syracuse University, he pursued post-graduate studies at Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Dr. Kogan taught at Montclair State University in New Jersey in the Department of Philosophy and Religion for 41 years, serving as chair for 24 of those. His book, "Opening the Covenant: A Jewish Theology of Christianity," was published by Oxford University Press; he published many essays, book chapters, introductions, and scholarly articles. Dr. Kogan taught courses in Bible and theology at many churches and synagogues, including St. Johannes Lutheran, St. Stephen's Episcopal, K.K. Beth Elohim and Synagogue Emanu-El, and at the College of Charleston. A long-time member of the Board of the Spoleto Festival, he also served on the Board of the C of C's Yashick/Arnold Jewish Studies Program and was a "Pillar" of the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. He was a Life Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Charleston's Fort Sumter Camp, and a former Commander and Adjutant of New York's General Archibald Gracie Camp 983, SCV. He was a member of the Palmetto Guards, Charleston Library Society, South Carolina Historical Society, Preservation Society of Charleston, Civil War Trust, South Carolina Battlefield Preservation Trust, Christian-Jewish Council, and Harbor Club. The Jewish Studies Center library at the College of Charleston is named in honor of his great-great-great-grandfather, Rabbi Hirsch Levin. His great-great-grandfather, Harris Levin, and several other forbearers served in the Confederate army.

Peter and Patti McGee were two of Charleston's most memorable civic leaders of their day. An S.O.B. attorney, Joseph Halstead "Peter" McGee, was a dynamic leader particularly through his advocacy with Historic Charleston Foundation. According to a Post & Courier editorial, "he was a preservationist whose generous donations and keen understanding of Charleston's history and architectural gems helped shape what the Holy City looks and feels like today." Born April 6, 1929, Peter grew up at 4 King St. and attended local grade schools. He received his B.A. in 1950 and L.L.B. in 1952 from Washington & Lee University, where he was a Sigma Nu and awarded the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award. He joined the US Navy, serving as a Lt. J.G. aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS WASP from 1953-55. Admitted to the S.C. Bar in 1956, Peter first practiced law with Moore & Mouzon, before becoming a partner in Moore, Mouzon & McGee. In 1970, he and his childhood friend Ben Moore joined Henry Buist and Augustin Smythe to form Buist, Moore, Smythe & McGee, PA. He remained active with the S.C. Bar, receiving its DuRant Distinguished Public Service Award in 2003. He served two terms in the S.C. House of Representatives beginning in 1962, where he was First Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee from 1966 to 1968. He served on Charleston City Council from 1971 to 1975. Peter was passionate about his work with Historic Charleston Foundation, first as Legal Counsel, then on the Board of Trustees, and as Board President from 1977 to 1980. He helped the city work through gritty details of preservation issues such as height ordinances. Peter was recognized with HCF's highest honor, the Frances R. Edmunds Award, in 2007. The Joseph H. "Peter" McGee Award was established by the foundation in 2023 in his honor to recognize excellence in advocacy, community preservation, and planning. Yet HCF was just one of Peter's leadership roles. He served as Vice-Chair of the South Carolina Tri-centennial Commission from 1966 to 1971, leading efforts to create Charles Towne Landing as a historic site. He also helped facilitate the National Trust for Historic Preservation's acquisition and preservation of Drayton Hall. He volunteered for boards and nonprofits throughout his life, including Ashley Hall, Charleston Commission on Arts & History, Drayton Hall, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Library Society, Coastal Community Foundation of SC, Charleston Horticultural Society, and South Carolina Historical Society. He served on the Evening Post Publishing Company?s Board of Directors for 20 years. In 2020, he recieved South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.

A patron of the arts, Patti was known for her love of gardening. She was a founder of the Lowcountry Garden Club and Charleston Horticultural Society. Born Feb. 21, 1935, Patti grew up in Marion, SC, earning a B.A. in history from Converse College. Following graduation, she interviewed for teaching positions in Washington, D.C., and Charleston. She turned down a higher paying job in Washington because she wanted to live in Charleston, and that, she often said, was the smartest decision of her life. Patti served on the Women's Council of the Gibbes Museum of Art and as its president in 1971. She was a member of Junior League of Charleston and served as president in 1972. She also worked with the Charleston Arts and History Commission and the South Carolina Historical Society, and served as the South Carolina Advisor to The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Patti helped found the Lowcountry Garden Club in 1988. In 1989, Frank Cabot invited her to join the advisory board and then the board of directors for a new national nonprofit, the Garden Conservancy. Patti's knowledge of Southern garden history was instrumental to the Conservancy's early efforts. She served until 2015 when she was named Director Emerita. She was involved with the Southern Garden History Society and, in 2012, was named by the Garden Club of America as an Honorary Member for her efforts to advance horticulture.

In 1977, Gian Carlo Menotti, founder and artistic director of Spoleto, asked the couple if they would open their Church Street home next to the Dock Street Theater to chamber musicians after performances. For nearly 20 years, the McGees hosted musicians including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist and conductor Joshua Bell, and famed playwright Tennessee Williams. Patti served on the Spoleto board, and in 2017, she and Peter received the Mary Ramsay Civic Award.

The couple were founding members of the Charleston Horticultural Society in 2000, where Patti served on the board until 2007. She was awarded the Charleston Horticulture Society 1830 Award in 2009.

After moving from Church Street, the McGees lived for many years in the Kohne-Lesllie House, 72 Anson Street, c. 1846, one of the properties preserved through HCF's Revolving Fund of the 1960s. In 2015, the McGees retired to Sullivan's Island, where Patti passed away on Nov. 11, 2022, at the age of 87, and Peter on April 26, 2024, at the age of 95. Up until his death, Peter and his daughters were still working hard to make Charleston more beautiful by spearheading renovation of downtown's Wragg Square in honor of Patti. The McGees were married for 62 years and had two daughters, both of whom also became philanthropic and community leaders. I worked with Peter, Patti and Madeleine (Evie had married Stephen Colert and moved to New York City) during my time at Historic Charleston Foundation and can attest that all the accolades they garnered were most deserved. He was a heck of a smart, passionate guy, and a great copyeditor, as I discovered when I was doing some freelance writing for one of Patti's garden projects. They had a huge impact on Charleston's preservation and culture during the last half of the 20th century and into the 21st. It was a privilege to work with them both.

Sandra Ann Childers Meares (1937 - June 28, 2023) of Folly Beach, passed away. Sandra was the matriarch of Group Therapy, an iconic bar of the 1980s and beyond in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia. According to her obit, Meares had a reputation as someone friends could come to for advice or comfort in difficult times, which she was happy to dispense along with a cold beverage. She was a "coach, cheerleader, friend and therapist, [who] often held sessions at the kitchen table or on the porch during happy hour," which led to the concept and naming of the bar. Patrons of the nasty little dive would throw their last beer bottle into a trashcan on the way out, shattering it to pieces. As one who did it often, I can attest that it was pretty good therapy.

Ronald Norris Jr., a former radio operator in the U.S. Marine Corps, died in Summerville on July 22, 2023. Norris was deployed aboard the USS Iwo Jima in April 1986 to make an amphibious landing on Vieques, a small island off Puerto Rico. The landing was filmed and used in the Clint Eastwood movie Heartbreak Ridge.

John Patrick "Jack" O'Brien, a native of New Jersey who managed the James Island Wendy's restaurant, died July 5, 2023. O'Brien enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 at the age of 18. After training as a second lieutenant, he was assiged to the 27th Troop Carrier Squadron whose mission was to airdrop troops, food, ammunition and other supplies in Chunking, China. O'Brien served as the navigator of an August 1945 mission to Mukden, Manchura, to return 24 American and Allied Prisoners of War after their liberation, a mission for which he was awarded the Distiguished Flying Cross. He left active duty in 1946, but served in the Reserve until his retirement as a Major. He always wore his WWII cap when in public and was very appreciative of those who thanked him for his service. He is buried in Holy Cross cemetery.

One of Charleston's foremost restauranteurs during his life, Ali Rahnamoon passed away June 16, 2024. Born in Tehran, Iraq, Ali and his business partner Shahram Aghapour immigrated first to Boston, then Charleston, where they opened Papillon on South Market Street and Ferrante's Restaurant in the old Sailors' Chapel at the corner of North Market and East Bay. They opened Saffron's Bakery in 1986 in what had once been Jacob's Hosiery.

Tom Sloggett, 91, a Michigan transplant who retired to Charleston after a 37-year career with Dow Chemical Company in Michigan and Ohio, died in Summerville on June 30, 2024. Tom and his wife of 69 years, Ruth, loved living in the Lowcountry. They were valued volunteers ushering for a number of arts oranizations and for many years were among Historic Charleston Foundation's most committed volunteers for the annual spring Festival of Houses and Gardens, where Tom was a popular Senior Street Marshall, helping guests find their way, answering questions and sharing his love for Charleston.

Polina Lemberk Sobchuk (April 30, 1927 - Jan. 19, 2025) a survivor of the Holocaust, died in Charleston. Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Mrs. Sobchuk was a nurse who, according to her obituary, "had a deep sense of purpose in helping those that are suffering." She was married to Dr. Vladimir Sobchuk for 75 years, and is buried in Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery.

Long-time Charleston physician Dr. William Thomason died July 15, 2023. During his residency at Walter Reed Hospital, Dr. Thomason flew in Air Force One as part of a team attending President Dwight D. Eisenhower following his 1955 heart attack. Dr. Thomason was president of the Charleston County Medical Society (1972), a member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, Charleston Rotary Club, Middleton Hunt Club, Surgeon for the Washington Light Infantry, and Battalion Surgeon for the Palmetto Guard, as well as a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution, the St. Andrews Society, the Widows and Orpans Society, and the Carolina Yacht Club.

Margaret Louise Drody Thompson (April 21, 1931 - Jan. 17, 2025) passed away of complications following a fall the previous November. Thompson was a rock-hound who donated the only sample of Sclectarian coral mold, a marine animal that builds a hard skeleton, taken from the Cooper River Marl Beds to the Smithsonian Institute. A geneology enthusiast, her ancestral line qualified her for the DAR, Colonial Dames, Huguenot Sociey, The Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Society of Daughters of Halland Dames.