Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529095
THE ARTISAN WINTER 2025 • 67 EXTENDED FAMILY NEWS One of the most important people in my life has passed. I am completely shattered right now, but this is not about me. I hope those who read this will take it to heart and understand that there are some people who live to elevate everyone's life, never accepting mediocrity. Leonard Engelman was that person. He truly lived as an example of how to raise the bar, never lower it. He never wanted anyone to fail. He was always the one who could bring me back to center. Leonard and I had known each other for a few years prior to him becoming Business Representative. When John Inzerella developed cancer, they both knew that John would need to retire and a replacement would be necessary. Little did I know at that time, they both wanted me to take the job. Legend has it, they both went into separate rooms with the Local 706 phone book and both came back with one name … mine. Separately, each of them encouraged me to interview for the job. I went through the screening process and interviews like everyone else but ultimately, I got the job. I sat for two months (unpaid) with John in his office, training and trying to absorb John's knowledge as quickly as possible. It's a good thing that I learned because once I got the job, Leonard went on vacation six weeks after I was hired! I was scared witless. Leonard was good at pushing me off a cliff to make me fly. We would sit in his office after hours and discuss everything in the world from artistry to spirituality, to our visions for making our union better and better. He never wanted to lower the bar, ever. He brought in new ideas for education and exciting the membership into new levels of excellence. Leonard himself was one of our finest make-up artists with superior skills and abilities that were a great combination of his apprenticeship and his legacy from his father. (Most people never knew that Leonard's father, Leonard Sr., was a make-up artist as well.) Leonard could do everything and he did it well. He was a great shining example for other members to look up to and want to emulate. When I took the Assistant Business Representative job, my film career was in full swing and I was doing really well. It was a hard transition. I loved being a make-up artist and I had just been hired department heading my dream job. But being with John and Leonard made me realize that at the time, our union was in turmoil. This was going to be an ideal place for me and I could make a difference, to try and calm the animosity and chaos. About a year into the job, John passed away and 706 was going to have an election. Once again, Leonard In Memoriam (1941-2024) MAKE-UP ARTIST A Remembrance: Leonard Engelman BY SUE CABRAL-EBERT Clockwise from top: Leonard Engelman worked with celebrities including Cher, Sylvester Stallone, and Sigourney Weaver,