Gary Boelzner
1942-04-02 2014-08-06April 2, 1942 - August 6, 2014 Gary Stephen Boelzner, beloved husband, father and friend, has passed away after a long and brave battle with Parkinson's Disease. The son of Gordon and Angie Boelzner, Gary was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended Inglewood High School, graduating in 1960, where he was named best leading actor in the school's musical, Oklahoma. Gary attended UCLA's film school, graduating in 1965 with a BA in Theater Arts. Envisioning a career on the stage as a singer and actor, Gary followed his older brother, Gordon Jr., to New York City where Gordon was establishing a career as a pianist and conductor with the New York City Ballet. Gary, however struggled to find his niche in the theater world and, needing to support himself, took a job as a writer for a New York publishing company. This, as it turned out, was a blessing in disguise, as his skill and flair as a writer proved to be his true vocation. Gary returned to Southern California and began working in the advertising field. He worked for Faust/Day advertising agency in Los Angeles in the mid 1960's. Gary was then offered a position with Leadership real estate developers to direct their advertising department in Orange County. In 1980, Gary began working with Stein-Brief Group, ultimately having his own in-house agency in their company. Gary went on to found Group West Advertising, a Marketing and Public Relations agency. Over the years he won several industry (MAME) awards for the excellence and originality of his advertising copy. Gary met Joyce, the love of his life in 1980. Ever the romantic, Gary took Joyce to Paris where he proposed to her on the River Seine. In 1983, they married in a small ceremony with family and friends during the Christmas season. Gary also asked her daughter, Jenny, 10 years old at the time if she would consent to the union. Gary was thereafter, a devoted husband and father for the next 30 years. Gary was an avid photographer, movie enthusiast and gardener. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's he spend many hours working with the Orange County chapter of the National Parkinson's Foundation. For several years he wrote and edited their newsletter, participating in fundraising and counseled those struggling with Parkinson's Disease. Per his wishes, services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Gary's name to either the Michael J. Fox Foundation for "Parkinson's Research," or "The National Parkinson's Foundation." Gary is survived by his wife, daughter, family and dear friends. His was a life well lived.
Published in the Los Angeles Times from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14, 2014
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