Roy E. Disney: Life Celebration
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On December 16, 2009, Legendary Roy E. Disney passed away in Newport Beach, California. His 80th birthday would have been on January 10, 2010, and there was indeed a Life Celebration held for him that day, starting at 10:30am with brunch in the Grand Ballroom, located at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California. Suggested attire was Roy Disney casual, such as Hawaiian shirts, with no black clothing, and the mood festive as the invitations read. The event was organized by Howard Green, Vice President of Studio Communications for The Walt Disney Company and very close friend of Roy Disney.
A perfect Blue Disney Day
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Guests in eager anticipation of the festivities began arriving prior to the announced 10:30am brunch. Inside the elegant Grand Ballroom, there were different buffet stations laden with various breakfast foods which were replenished regularly by two attendant servers at each station. At different areas there were various beverage stations as well. There were a mix of guests, mirroring the many facets of Roy E. Disney�s complex life, such as friends within the Animation Industry, colleagues in his business endeavors from Shamrock Holdings, comrades from his sailing adventures onboard the Pyewacket and Morning Light, as well as family.
Amongst the crowded ballroom were seen: Leslie DeMeuse Disney (Roy�s widow) Howard and Steinunn Green (V.P. Walt Disney Company and his wife), Dave Smith (Disney Legend and Historian), Bill Farmer (Voice of Goofy and Disney Legend), Tony Anselmo (Voice of Donald Duck and Disney Legend), Russi Taylor (Voice of Minnie Mouse and Disney Legend), June Foray (Voice of Rocky from Rocky and Bullwinkle, Lucifer the cat, amongst others), Margaret Tinker Bell Kerry, Jeannette Thomas, Ted and Kuniko Thomas (Disney Legend Frank Thomas widow, son and daughter in law), Alice Davis (Disney Legend and widow of Disney Legend Marc Davis), Michael and Sharon Broggie (Carolwood founder/historian and wife), Floyd and Adrianne Norman (Disney Legend and wife), Eric and Susan Goldberg (well known Disney animators), Mr. and Mrs. Antran Manoogian (President of ASIFA Hollywood and wife).
At 12:00 noon, these interests were mirrored in the celebration onstage at the El Capitan which was across the street on Hollywood Blvd with memories shared, music and more mingling. The theatre was closed to the public as the event was by invitation only. Sailing flags decorated the box seats on the sides of the elegant old theatre signifying one facet of Roy�s life. The extremely capable Don Hahn (producer, director and interim head of Disney�s animation division during it�s merger with Pixar) was at the helm, so to speak, as the moderator or narrator/emcee and kept things flowing smoothly.