Avery Fisher, an electronics industry pioneer and philanthropist for whom a New York City concert hall was named, died Saturday at a New Milford, Conn., hospital of complications from a stroke. He was 87.
Fisher was an influential figure in New York music circles, sitting on the boards of the New York Philharmonic, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Marlboro Festival. Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall was renamed Avery Fisher Hall in 1973 after Fisher donated $ 10.5 million.
After graduation from New York University in 1929, Fisher worked in advertising and publishing before making his fortune in electronics.
The amateur violinist started out building radios simply to improve sound quality for his own enjoyment. By 1937 he had become so adept at it that he founded the Philharmonic Radio company.
He endowed the Avery Fisher Listening Room in the Bobst Library of New York University and the Avery Fisher Artist Program at Lincoln Center.
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Morton Craig
Morton Craig, president and CEO of public relations firm M. Craig and Associates, died Feb. 22 in Encino. He was 66.
He began his career at Columbia Pictures where he served as director of electronic media of national publicity.
He worked on films such as "Funny Girl,""Oliver,""A Man for All Seasons" and "Born Free" before opening his own agency.
He worked with such celebrities as Barbra Streisand and Deidre Hall, Michael Damian and Tracey Bregman of "General Hospital."
Survivors include his wife, two daughters and a sister.
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Riki Calosso
Riki Calosso, vice president of disbursement services for Sony Pictures Entertainment, died Feb. 22 after a short illness.
Calosso joined SPE in 1977 as an accounts clerk at Columbia Pictures. She rose to vice president/disbursement services in 1992, overseeing a staff of 40 people.
Survivors include a brother, a sister and a niece.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3255 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90010.
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Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke, a theater stage manager, died Feb. 12 in Manhattan from AIDS complications. He was 31.
He began his career as an actor and moved into stage management, working at the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, N.C., and in New York summer stock.
On Broadway, he served as a stage manager for "She Loves Me,""The Prince of Central" and "Oh! Calcutta!"
Survivors include his mother and stepfather and his companion, Ron Nash.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., March 20 at the Westside Theatre in New York.
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Craig Edgar
Craig Edgar, an art and set decorator, died Feb. 6. after a long battle with cancer. He was 54.
Edgar, who belonged to Locals 847 and 876, worked in such films as "Witness, ""Top Gun,""The Right Stuff" and "Ghostbusters."
Survivors include his wife and five brothers.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
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