I was close friends w/Jeff from the time I moved to Encino back in October 1974. I remember starting Lanai Rd during the sixth grade which was not easy on many levels especially coming from the legendary Wonderland Ave. School. Jeff's grandparents who raised Jeff were two of the nicest people I have ever met. They extended themselves to all and only wanted the best for Jeff. Jeff and I stayed close friends until about the middle of tenth grade. After that we had much less contact as we had different interests, friends,etc. I would run into Mort and Renee(his grandparents)at various times in the years after high school. They informed me that Jeff had moved to Italy. Then in late 1988, Renee called me and informed me that Jeff was at The City of Hope and had Leukemia. I went there and visited him and it was only a few months later that he passed away at only twenty five.
For anyone who knew Jeff they knew that he was a really nice guy that had a different view of life. I too was close with his grandparents and was there a few days before Jeff passed. I can remember him asking me to takw him outside for a smoke becasue he was allowed. He said "look, I am not long for this world so do me this favor" I stayed near the hospital for a few days and visited with him oftern. it was only two days after I returned home that Jeff passed away. He has been missed by me and all my family.
I got to know Jeff really well in the last six months of his life, as he and his girlfriend were staying at my place when he was diagnosed with leukemia - until the end. Throughout this entire period, while he was in and out of City of Hope, he called my place home - and his Italian girlfriend was always there. Jeff was a terrific guy. Having become a fashion model in Europe, he was well-traveled and incredibly optimistic. I'll tell you, as sick as he got, and through all the treatments, I certainly never thought he was going to die. I learned a lot from all that, but I think the cost was far too high. He was a kind and inspiring soul, and he is very missed.
I was truly saddened when I found out about Jeff's passing. He and I were good friends until I moved to Playa Del Rey shortly after graduating from Portola. We really lost touch after he had a HUGE party at his grandparents house while they were away. And what a WILD party it was...the house got trashed and I got blamed for it because they found cigarette buts (hundreds) in the driveway. Since they knew I smoked I was obviously the culprit (LOL). The real damper on our friendship occurred shortly after the party when his grandmother called me early one morning (6am) a couple days later to raise Cain about the party, the mess, the damage, etc. I was accussed of orchestrating the party and being a bad influence on Jeff. Sadly, she hit a nerve with my pride and I wouldn't have any part in playing the fall guy. I basically told her off and told her she should be talking to Jeff & not me (Jeff was on the other line mortified). In hindsight, it wouldn't have hurt for me to let them think I was to blame...sorry Jeff! Jeff was a great guy with lots of energy and a great personality. I will miss him.
Michael Saunders
I was close friends w/Jeff from the time I moved to Encino back in October 1974. I remember starting Lanai Rd during the sixth grade which was not easy on many levels especially coming from the legendary Wonderland Ave. School.Jeff's grandparents who raised Jeff were two of the nicest people I have ever met. They extended themselves to all and only wanted the best for Jeff.
Jeff and I stayed close friends until about the middle of tenth grade. After that we had much less contact as we had different interests, friends,etc.
I would run into Mort and Renee(his grandparents)at various times in the years after high school. They informed me that Jeff had moved to Italy. Then in late 1988, Renee called me and informed me that Jeff was at The City of Hope and had Leukemia. I went there and visited him and it was only a few months later that he passed away at only twenty five.
David Koontz
For anyone who knew Jeff they knew that he was a really nice guy that had a different view of life. I too was close with his grandparents and was there a few days before Jeff passed. I can remember him asking me to takw him outside for a smoke becasue he was allowed. He said "look, I am not long for this world so do me this favor" I stayed near the hospital for a few days and visited with him oftern. it was only two days after I returned home that Jeff passed away. He has been missed by me and all my family.His friend David
Jeremy Sunderland
I got to know Jeff really well in the last six months of his life, as he and his girlfriend were staying at my place when he was diagnosed with leukemia - until the end. Throughout this entire period, while he was in and out of City of Hope, he called my place home - and his Italian girlfriend was always there. Jeff was a terrific guy. Having become a fashion model in Europe, he was well-traveled and incredibly optimistic. I'll tell you, as sick as he got, and through all the treatments, I certainly never thought he was going to die. I learned a lot from all that, but I think the cost was far too high. He was a kind and inspiring soul, and he is very missed.Michael Chew
I was truly saddened when I found out about Jeff's passing. He and I were good friends until I moved to Playa Del Rey shortly after graduating from Portola. We really lost touch after he had a HUGE party at his grandparents house while they were away. And what a WILD party it was...the house got trashed and I got blamed for it because they found cigarette buts (hundreds) in the driveway. Since they knew I smoked I was obviously the culprit (LOL). The real damper on our friendship occurred shortly after the party when his grandmother called me early one morning (6am) a couple days later to raise Cain about the party, the mess, the damage, etc. I was accussed of orchestrating the party and being a bad influence on Jeff. Sadly, she hit a nerve with my pride and I wouldn't have any part in playing the fall guy. I basically told her off and told her she should be talking to Jeff & not me (Jeff was on the other line mortified). In hindsight, it wouldn't have hurt for me to let them think I was to blame...sorry Jeff! Jeff was a great guy with lots of energy and a great personality. I will miss him.