Neil Papiano's Obituary
Neil Papiano passed away on February 14, 2019, in Arcadia, California from complications associated with Alzheimer's Disease.\r\n\r\nPapiano was born on November 25, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah. While a student at South High School, he was mentored by the school's Assistant Principal to apply to college. Papiano received an athletic scholarship to Stanford University and graduated with his B.A. and M.A. degrees in 1957. Papiano went on to Vanderbilt Law School, earning his J.D. in 1961. That same year, he was admitted to the California bar.\r\n\r\nFresh out of law school, Papiano worked for Oscar Trippett at the predecessor law firm to Iverson, Yoakum, Papiano & Hatch to which he would become the Managing Partner until his retirement in 2014. During his illustrious career, Papiano was best known for representing many high profile clients in the entertainment industry, including Jimmy Nederlander, Sr., the Nederlander Organization, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Joan Collins, Walter Matthau, and Sondra Locke; in the thoroughbred horse industry, including Hollywood Park Race Track, Willie Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Chris McCarron, Bob Baffert; and in the professional sports industry, including Charlie O. Finley, Steve Garvey and Willie Davis.\r\n\r\nPapiano was also civically and politically active. He acted sometimes as attorney for, but also often counseled and assisted Los Angeles City and County officials, as well as State officials, including President Reagan when he was Governor. Papiano was on the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees for several organizations, including the L.A. Civic Light Opera, the L.A. Performing Arts Council, Orthopaedic Hospital, and American University in Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\nWhat was closest to his heart was his work on the Board of Advisors for the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles, the disease which also took his mother.\r\n\r\nPapiano never forgot that his family was poor and without resources. He established a scholarship for school administration in the name of Winifred Dyer, the assistant principal who was responsible for his acceptance into Stanford, as well as a sports scholarship at Stanford for a student without means. He did not forget that there was no park for kids to play near his neighborhood in Salt Lake, so he created one. He also donated the Neil Papiano Play Park in Griffith Park.\r\n\r\nNeil had a big presence that filled a room. He loved to share his life stories; there are hundreds of amazing, funny, interesting stories hidden behind the list of his accomplishments above. Neil was truly a force of nature. He was a charismatic host who loved seeing people have fun. He was an encouraging coach and teacher. With his booming voice, his big laugh, sometimes a big temper, but especially a big, big heart, he improved the lives of so many people -- some in big ways, and some in small but exceedingly meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nNeil is survived by everyone on whom he had an impact.\r\n\r\nA remembrance gathering will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service starting at 12:00 noon at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. Afterwards graveside services will be held at Mt Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84102.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles in Neil's name.
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