In memoriam

Stage lighting expert Francis P. DeVerna died on May 27 of a heart attack. DeVerna was 70 years old and lived in Rockville Center, NY. He began his career as a stagehand and later served as a union business agent. He also was president of Local 1 of the Theatrical Protective Union.

He formed Four Star Stage Lighting in 1964. DeVerna helped turn the company into a leading supplier of lighting and technical effects for Broadway productions, including shows produced by Harold Prince and Andrew Lloyd Webber. For his career achievements, DeVerna was honored with a Wally Russell Award at LDI96 in Orlando.

DeVerna is survived by his wife, Mary, and five sons, Charles, Richard, Stephen, Gregory, and Francis; a sister, Joan O'Malley; a brother, Robert; his mother, Esther; and eight grandchildren.