The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page B06

B6 www.philly.com THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Monday, December 13, 2010 Helen B. O'Neill, 96, a fairway and Broadway player MICHAEL BRYANT Staff Photographer Joshua Young, 28, says the nation needs change: "If my generation doesn't do something, it's going to be too late." Meredith. She also performed in summer stock. She had movie offers from Paramount and Warner Bros, but was homesick, her family said. She returned to Rydal and in 1937 married Frank O'Neill, a businessman, avid golfer, and wonderful dancer, their son said.

The couple raised a family in Rydal. During World War II, Mrs. O'Neill was a volun Young Adele Starr Gay rights champion, 90 Adele Starr, a Los Angeles mother of five who overcame dismay at her son's homosexuality to become a leading voice for gay rights and marriage equality, has died. She was 90. Ms.

Starr died in her sleep Friday at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, where she had been convalescing after surgery, said her son Philip Starr. In 1976, Ms. Starr founded the Los Angeles chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a gay rights and acceptance organization known then as Parent FLAG, now as PFLAG. In 1979, she spoke on the steps of the U.S. Capitol at a march for gay rights a seminal event often credited with uniting a then-nascent movement.

Two years later, she became PFLAG's first national president; she served in that capacity until 1986 and remained a forceful advocate for civil rights and, in later years, for the legalization of same-sex marriage. She was primarily a stay-at-home mother. Ms Starr and her husband Lawrence had four sons and a daughter. In 1974, Philip Starr, the couple's second son, told them he was gay. Although the gay rights movement was well under By Sally A.

Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Helen Buck O'Neill, 96, a former amateur golf champion and Broadway actress and dancer, died Friday, Dec. 3, at Holy Redeemer St. Joseph Manor in Meadowbrook. In 1940, Mrs. O'Neill defeated Helen Sigel Wilson to win the Philadelphia Women's Golf Championship at Philadelphia Country Club.

A second-generation member of Huntingdon Valley Country Club, she was an eight-time women's champion at the club and won doubles championships with partners including her husband, Frank, for the Boyle Cup; her son Helen B. O'Neill Donald for the Griscom Cup; and Charlotte Buck for a mother-daughter title. She once teamed with professional golfer Joe Kirkwood to beat pro Byron Nelson and his partner in a 19-hole match in the Lady-Pro Championship at Old York Country Club. She continued to play into her 80s, her son said. Mrs.

O'Neill learned to golf and studied dance growing up in Rydal. She stopped golfing in the early 1930s to pursue a show business career in New York after a talent scout saw her perform in a benefit for Abington Memorial Hospital. "In those two or three years when I was in New York," she told The Inquirer, "we had a young theater group that used to meet Thursday night." Regulars included Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Burgess Meredith, and Margaret Sullavan, she said. "They're famous now, but we were practically starving then. We would meet, Jimmy would play the piano, and we'd dance." Mrs.

O'Neill had dancing and speaking parts in Gay Divorce, starring Fred Astaire; Say When, starring Bob Hope; and She Loves Me Not, with Continued from Bl and Senate confirmation in 2007. "It's that kind of dedication that makes him a wonderful trustee even though he looks like he's 12," said Smith, who has children older than Young. It's easy these days to be cynical about politicians, but Young inspires hope, Smith said, citing his strong ethics. Bob Taylor, a 1978 graduate who preceded Young as head of the council of trustees, agreed. He called Young a bright, down-to-earth leader with integrity who will provide "a real kick in the tail as far as energy level" during challenging and competitive times.

"You don't have to pay $50,000 a year to get a great education," Taylor said, adding that many students attend state schools because of cost constraints. "We need to keep the price down and the standards high." During his tenure, Taylor said, he began involving students more in decisions about fee hikes and program changes, a direction that Young is continuing. Young described the university position, which involves attending quarterly meetings and commencements, as a "dream job." He said he loved "giving back" to the school that had shaped him. It's an unpaid position for which he gets expenses, he said. "Students really refresh my sense of purpose," Young said.

"In order to be someone who changes things, you can't sit at home." The periodic revitalizing serves him well in Cain Township, he said. He was reelected to the board in 2009, and his length of service made him the board's senior member: "A funny place for me to be," he said. One of his primary goals has been to decrease Cain's carbon footprint. Last year, Young organized the township's first Go Green Expo, a symposium of exhibits and demonstrations for reducing energy consumption. He's planning to surpass those efforts with the second expo in March.

Young said occasionally he got stymied by technical questions from constituents. He said it's important to admit what you don't know. way by then, he recalled, "being gay was still seen as a mental illness." "And parenting was often blamed as the cause," Philip Starr said. "So parents really felt bad they felt like they were bad parents." His mother was upset, so Philip Starr directed her to a support group. Two years later, Adele Starr launched the Los Angeles chapter of PFLAG, modeled loosely after a group in New York.

The group met first at her home but expanded quickly and soon began meeting at a Methodist church in West-wood, where families still meet today. "As she got more involved, she realized how oppressive the environment was. She really became an activist," Philip Starr said. PFLAG is now a Washington-based nonprofit with 200,000 members and supporters and 500 affiliates around the world. The group has since added transgender people to its mission, and its acronym now stands for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

Los Angeles Times Lodovico S. Christofero Boy Scout executive, 93 Lodovico S. "Loody" Christofero, longtime Boy Scout executive and Air Force veteran of two wars, died Dec. 2 at the Kline Gal-land Home in Seattle. He was 93.

Born in Seattle to Italian immigrant parents, he became an Eagle Scout and was a youth leader in a Ballard High School troop. He went on to become a skilled mountaineer and backpacker, climbing most of the peaks in the Northwest. He also was an avid skier, skiing until his late 80s. During World War II he served in the Air Force, flying cargo planes supplying the China-Burma-India theater. He flew more than 70 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest recognitions given by the Air Force.

After World War II, Mr. Christofero became a Boy Scout executive in Wenatchee, then rejoined the Air Force during the Korean War. Afterward, he continued in scouting, and in 1966 he was named scout executive for the Chief Seattle Council. In 1974, he became director of camping and outdoor programs for the National Council of Boy Scouts of America. He retired in 1979 after 31 years in scouting.

"Boy Scouts was his true love," said his daughter, Carol Christofero-Snider, who lives in Lake Oswego, Ore. Boy Scouting recognized him with two awards for Distinguished Service to Boyhood, the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope. Seattle Times Peter C. Marzio Museum director, 67 Peter C. Marzio, who as the director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston for nearly 30 years elevated it to major-museum status through an ambitious program of physical expansion and a commitment to Latin American, Hispanic, and Asian art, died Thursday in Houston.

He was 67. The cause was cancer, Mary Haus, a spokeswoman for the museum, said. Mr. Marzio became the director of the Houston museum in 1982, after serving as the director and chief executive of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington. He proved to be a dynamic force, equally adept at raising money, attracting important donations, and identifying new artistic territory for the museum to explore in its exhibitions and acquisitions.

Mr. Marzio was intent on diversifying and expanding the museum's commitment to artists outside the European and North American traditions. He created new departments of Asian and Latin American art and established a new research institution, the International Center for the Arts of the Americas. After serving as a curator of prints and chairman of the cultural history department at the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. Marzio was named the Corco-ran's director in 1978.

From 1997 to 2000, he was chairman of the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. N.Y. Times News Service "I'll always give them an answer," he said, "but sometimes I have to do research first." Young conceded that being single gave him more time to devote to township business, but his township salary of $3,250 doesn't cover many bills. When he isn't attending meetings or special events, he works at Young's Garage, a car-repair and towing business in East Bradford Township started in I960 by his grandparents Ruth and Dave Young and now run by his father. There, he can be found replacing brakes, changing oil, answering phones, or doing "whatever is needed." His father, Tim, said he knew that the oldest of his three children was not inclined to become the business' third generation.

"It's not his passion, and I don't want to stand in the way of what he wants," his father said. "I'm happy to have him as long as possible. He's great with customers." Joshua Young counts his family members among his strongest influences and said he had learned the value of community service from them at an early age. He's eager to pursue a career in politics, but for now, he said, he's focused on his township and university responsibilities. When Young has time to relax an infrequent occurrence, he conceded he enjoys "playing in the dirt." He said that his 50-by-50-foot vegetable garden sometimes got away from him, but that it afforded a welcome and nutritious escape.

"The reason I love politics is that you can change the world," he said. For naysayers who might question such lofty aspirations, he points to Alexandra Scott, the 5-year-old from Lower Meri-on who began a lemonade stand to benefit childhood cancer research before succumbing to the disease. Young was an undergraduate when Alex's story began making headlines, offering proof that one person can make an impact. Since her death in 2004, her foundation has continued to generate millions of dollars for the effort to find a cure. "We can all change the world," Young said.

"Look what her one lemonade stand did." Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 61 0-696-381 5 or kbradyphillynews.com. he was 5. For his research here, Lee has selected seven subjects to follow six men and one woman. They have been targets of street robberies and errant gunfire. They're the victims of crimes of passion and an attempted murder plot.

He's watching how the shootings have changed their relationships with family and friends, how their work lives have suffered, how their injuries make it harder to sit and stand and, in particular, sleep. "One of the men told me he could not remember the last time he had a good night's sleep." Lee has learned how bullets travel differently through a person, depending on caliber and composition, body mass, and what part of the body you are talking about. He is a long way away from drawing his conclusions, but what he knows with certainty now is that it hurts to get shot and it hurts to have been shot long afterward. 'We're talking about intense experiences with pain that make it very difficult to have a productive life." Contact Daniel Rubin at 215-854-5917 or drubinphillynews.com. Early 'Bandstand' dancer MaryAnn Cuff LeGrand, 68 teer for the American Red Cross and at Abington Memorial Hospital.

For many years she organized the "Gala Soiree" fundraiser at Abington and later served on the auxiliary at Holy Redeemer Hospital. She was an active member of the Hun-tingdon Valley Garden Club and the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames and was a world traveler. Mrs. O'Neill also remained connected to theater. In 1999, the stage in the auditorium at Pennsylvania State University's Abington Campus was named in her honor after she contributed $50,000 to the project.

She was a graduate of Ogontz School, a private girls' academy that became part of Penn State-Abington in 1950. In addition to her son Donald, Mrs. O'Neill is survived by another son, David; a brother; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1990 and daughter Deborah Dunham died in 1986. A Funeral Mass will be said at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 14, at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church, 820 Susquehanna Rydal, where friends may call after 9. Memorial donations may be made to the Penn State-Abington Arts Program, 1600 Woodland Abington, Pa. 19001.

Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowneyphillynews.com. ists such as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, and Frankie Avalon. After graduating from high School, Mrs. LeGrand worked for Green Stamps and was a secretary to a lawyer in Philadelphia.

In the 1960s she married Bob Babik. The couple lived in Pittsburgh, Ohio, California, and Florida before divorcing. Mrs. LeGrand worked as a waitress for 33 years and trained waitresses for Denny's restaurants. She met Carl LeGrand at a Denny's in Fort Myers, Fla.

They married in 1985 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. Mrs. LeGrand was born in New York City. When she was 8, she and her family moved to Philadelphia, where her father, James, operated Cuff's bar. In 1995, Mrs.

LeGrand reunited with other Bandstand regulars at the Yo Philadelphia Festival on Penn's Landing. She enjoyed camping, fishing, making crafts, and cooking, especially Italian food. In addition to her husband, Mrs. LeGrand is survived by sons Bobby and Billy Babik; daughters Debbi Campbell and Deanna Sloan; stepchildren Darlya Johnson, Carlya Lee, Stacy Magbee, and Curt LeGrand; a sister; 14 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. A memorial service was held this month in Minnesota.

Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowneyphillynews.com. FuneralAnnouncements PLEASE VIEW AND SIGN THE ONLINE GUEST B00KATPHILLY.COM WEISL L7v HENRY of Moorestown, N.J. died December 10, 2010. Born in New York City in 1922, he received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Lafayette College in 1943.

After a medical discharge from the U.S. Army in 1944 he worked at Columbia University, assigned to a government research project until he was hired by the DOW Chemical Company in 1945 where he worked for 41 years. Following his retirement he was a substitute teacher for the Moorestown School District from 1986 to 1997 and volunteered as a reader for Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. He was an active member of the Moorestown Rotary. An avid rose gardener, he was a Past President of the West Jersey Rose Society, where he was voted Rosarian of the Year in 1995.

He had a lifelong interest in magic tricks and performed with the USO during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet (Adler), daughter, Carol, of West Mt. Airy, and sister Sue Hanau Deutsch of Florida. He was predeceased by son Richard in 1976. Services will be Dec.

15 at 1 P.M. at Moorestown Memorial Home, 334 Chester Moorestown, NJ. Visitation with the family will begin at noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. WEISSBACH Herbert Israel, DDS, 91, of The Watermark, Pa.

Formerly of New Hyde Park, NY, died on December 12, 2010. Beloved husband for 63 years of Lorraine (nee Hodes), devoted father of Debra Weissbach, MD (Neil Cohen, MD) and the late Robert. Loving grandfather of Shira, Daniel and Benjamin Cohen. Brother of Murray Weissbach, MD, of Sands Point, NY, and the late Eleanor Goldstein. Herbert was born on Aug.

31, 1919, in the Bronx. A graduate of City College of New York, 1939, and New York University College of Dentistry, 1946. He practiced dentistry for the U.S. Army in La Rochelle, France, from 1955-1957 and in NYC until his retirement in 1989. Relatives and friends are invited to Graveside Services Tuesday 12 Noon Precisely at Crescent Mem.

Park, Pennsauken, NJ. Shiva will be observed on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the residence of Debra Weissbach and Neil Cohen and will continue Thursday at the late residence. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimers' Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market Street, Ste 102, PA 19106 or Penn Wissahickon Hospice, 150 Monument Road, Ste 300, Bala Cynwyd, 19004. www.goldsteinsfuneral.com By Sally A. Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER In 1999, when the Washington Post published a series on the 1950s, it quoted MaryAnn Cuff, a Philadelphian who danced regularly on American Bandstand.

"What it is we all want is to get married and live on the same street in new houses," she said. "We'll call it Bandstand Avenue." MaryAnn Cuff LeGrand, 68, died Thursday, Dec. 2, of complications from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a progressive neurological disorder, at MaryAnn C. Commentary By Daniel Rubin Tracking down tales of shooting victims LeGrand LEE from Bl it was the only position he wanted. If you are interested in studying the effects of a gunshot wound, Philadelphia is a good place for it.

Lee came from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he spent nearly five years researching the lives of rappers in South Central Los Angeles. He is under contract with the University of Chicago Press to turn his thesis, "Rap Dreams," into a book. When a gang banger shot one of his rapper subjects in Los Angeles, Lee spent enough time with the convalescing man to realize what he wanted to study next. Lee is what could be called a hot ticket. The day before we met, he had just agreed to an assistant professorship at the University of Toronto.

Toronto has agreed to let him stay in Philadelphia for another year so he can stick with the gunshot victims he is tracking. Tall and trim, Lee is a former collegiate freestyle swimmer with spiky black hair and a calm, patient manner. He said his listening skills came in part from living with his mother, a nurse born in Seoul, South Korea. His parents split up when Bethany Home in Alex- andria, Minn. From 1956 to 1961, after her classes ended at West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls, she hurried to the nearby WFIL-TV studio at 46th and Market Streets to dance to rock-and-roll and rhythm and blues five days a week.

She and other regulars, including Justine Carelli, Bob Clayton, Pat Molittieri, Kenny Rossi, Bunny Gibson, and Fra-ni Giordano, didn't have to wait in line with other teens hoping to have a chance to appear on the show, which went national in 1957. The regulars also got to rate records, with comments to host Dick Clark such as, "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it." Bandstand, which was broadcast from Philadelphia until moving to Los Angeles in 1964, helped promote the adolescent culture of the baby boom generation. The program featured popular performers and launched the careers of Philadelphia art-.