Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543098
Spring 2026 – LOCAL695.COM 11 Peter J. Devlin As so many have said, Jeff created community, and what a legacy he has left. His work speaks to a different era in cinema, and he always embraced technological change. It was in 1999 when I spoke to him in a long telephone call about my concerns in moving to hard disk recording, he told me of his own battles with post production and their adapting to how he wanted to record on set. He soothed my fears and I knew he was always available to talk. His appearance at so many events, Zooms, and sound gath- erings spoke to how he was so invested in this art form and he gave so much to us. He will be sorely missed and I know that any time in the future when I watch his films, I will feel fortunate to have met him and know that his work influenced so many of us. Simon Hayes Rather than write about his gargantuan contribution to the film industry & sound mixing which really goes beyond words, I'm going to write what he meant to me. Jeff was someone who has inspired me since I started my journey as a Mixer. I would read interviews with him and scour journals and articles for his thoughts and workflows as a 20-year-old. I followed his career in awe. When I finally found myself in a unique and unexpected situation: being thrust into a spotlight with Les Miserables being recognized internationally, it was Jeff who first reached out and wanted to know all about it. It was like Pelé contacting a young footballer: one of the globe's most revered and storied Sound Mixers wanted to talk to me about my work. I was completely taken aback. Jeff told me I'd be coming to LA: He called it, and told me the moment I arrived he wanted to meet up. We had lunch in his favorite restaurant in Santa Monica and spent the afternoon telling film stories and laughing. It was the start of a beautiful friendship & mentorship. We were constantly in touch and each time I went to LA, we'd meet and laugh. It was like we'd known each other forever. Jeff was so generous, so inviting. So eager to share his thoughts and always seemed very interested in my opin- ions. He was an extremely important person in my journey. Thank you, Jeff, for everything. I will miss you greatly. Our industry and craft lost one of the greats. Rest in peace, Jeff. Until we meet again. Whit Norris Jeff was a good friend and colleague. Over the years, we spent many Saturday and Sunday mornings with fellow mixers on Jan McLaughlin's Zoom group. I greatly benefit- ed from all of his advice, techniques, wisdom, and stories. It was always an honor to sit with him for many years at the CAS Awards, as well as meeting his father, Haskell Wexler. TRIBUTE TO FRANK ZARAGOZA Y-8 June 23, 1969 – October 30, 2025 Frank Zaragoza's legacy is a beautiful blend of kindness, creativity, and a wickedly funny sense of humor. He instilled in us the vital lesson of being present for others, no matter how chaotic life may become. His deep passion for filmmaking drove him to generously offer his time and expertise to support friends in pursuit of their dream projects. At Frank's Celebration of Life, his family and work family felt exactly the same way about him. We both grieve his loss deeply and find comfort in our happy memories. Our friendship flourished through our shared interests and created countless cherished memories. Go Raiders! May the Force be with you, always. –Susan Moore-Chong & Dirk Stout IN MEMORIAM THOMAS CAUSEY – Y-1 12/5/1949 – 1/11/2026 DONALD C. ROGERS – Y-1 5/4/1931 – 1/4/2026 JEFFREY S. WEXLER – Y-1 4/18/1947 – 12/9/2025