Tyrone Power Annual Memorial Service

The 48th Annual Memorial Service was held at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. The photos on this page are courtesy of Colin Watling, one of the guest speakers, who travelled from England to Hollywood to attend the service.

The service is open to the public. If you are thinking about attending but would like further information about the service, please feel free to email Joan Leighton. She is very nice and will be happy to tell you about the service and answer any questions that you may have.

Guest speakers were Terry Moore, Ty's leading lady in King of the Khyber Rifles; Henry Colman, producer and fellow overseas serviceman with Ty; Taryn Power, his daughter; Maria Ciaccia, author, film historian, and longtime fan of Ty; and Colin Watling, British recording artist and longtime fan of Ty. The Rev. Gary Dickey offered the opening and closing prayers. The Celtic Singers provided music with Irish medleys. Marvin Paige, of Forever Cemetery, gave an introduction.

Colin tells us that he has been a fan since he was five years old. He explains that he was a sickly child and spent a lot of time watching TV, lying on the couch. One night, he watched Jesse James, and cried at the point that Bob Ford shot Jesse in the back. He said that his mother comforted him by saying, "Don't cry Colin. Tyrone will be on next week!" Like other 5-year-olds, Colin didn't understand about death, but he did become a lifelong fan of Tyrone Power. He is also a huge film buff. He sings and makes CD's in England and is interviewed on radio and in the press, where he comments that "I ALWAYS mention my love of Tyrone's movies."

All photos can be enlarged. Click photos for pop-up of larger size. Remember to close any pop-up before trying to open another. Open pop-ups will prevent new ones from opening. (Depending upon the settings on your browser, you may need to click the security strip at the top of the page for the pop-ups to work.)

program used for the 2006 ceremony

Mike Steckler (left), with Colin Watling, in the chapel, on November 15, 2006. Mr. Steckler was Tyrone Power's standin for many years, beginning with the movie, Rawhide. (Tyrone Power's longtime stand-in prior to Steckler was Tommy Noonan.) Steckler became very close friends with Ty and was with him on the set when he died. He was also with Ty when he took a short vacation on his yacht, The Black Swan, during the filming of Solomon and Sheba. He attends the memorial service each year.

This photo of Ty was taken by Mike Steckler. He brought the photo to the memorial service, and this is a snapshot of that photo. This candid shot was taken of Ty at sea, which became such a source of relaxation for him in the months before he died.

Taryn Power (Ty's daughter); 10-year-old Stella (Ty's granddaughter), Colin Watling, and Terry Moore. Terry Moore was Ty's leading lady in King of the Khyber Rifles.

Rev. Gary Dickey, with bagpipes; Taryn Power (Ty's daughter); 10-year-old Stella (Ty's granddaughter)

The Rev. Dickey plays the bagpipes at Ty's gravesite. Bagpipe playing is a tribute to Tyrone Power's Irish ancestry, of which he always seemed quite proud. Notice the beautiful spray of flowers on the tombstone.

This pictures were taken on Monday, November 20th, when Colin met up again with Terry Moore.

Ty Would Have Loved This!

Mike Steckler, pictured at left, was standing with Joan Leighton in the chapel. He was looking around approvingly at all the people, mingling and greeting other guests. Steckler commented, "Ty would have loved this! He was always ready for a party!"