Mark Shivas has passed

[Christiern]

This is really a passing that hits me hard. I have known Mark since the 1970s, when he was a producer for Southern Television and hired me to write a biographical mini series on Alberta Hunter. He was an absolutely wonderful person who kept in touch with cheerful notes whenever he learned of something I was doing. I stayed at his house when in London and he was the perfect host. Once he threw a celebrity-studded birthday dinner for me in a London restaurant, carefully selecting guests whose minds would make it a memorable evening for me. I was totally unaware of his cancer situation, so this has really come as a shock. Mark's communications will be missed.

You may not have heard of Mark Shivas, but you might be familiar with some of his work. Here's his Wikipedia bio.

[ValerieB]

i'm really sorry for your loss, Chris. they seem to be occurring much too often these days.

[Christiern]

Thank you, Valerie. I guess escalated rate of such loss is a sign of one's own advancing age and a grim reminder of fragile mortality.

[ValerieB]

Thank you, Valerie. I guess escalated rate of such loss is a sign of one's own advancing age and a grim reminder of fragile mortality.

yes, that's true but, very sadly, it's not only those advanced in age who are leaving us lately.

[medjuck]

I heard about this from my friend Lynda Myles who was also a good friend of Shivas. Didn't realize that you were also. I still remember him as a critic for Movie.

My condolences.