Farewell to a charter member of CineVerse

Sad news to report, CineVerse followers: Len Gornik, one of the charter members of the CineVerse film discussion group when it formed in 2005, has passed away after a yearlong battle with multiple myeloma. He was 70 years old.

Len prided himself on being a lifelong learner and inquisitive personality who loved movies, sports and science. He was an engaged and enthusiastic participant at CineVerse meetings, especially during the group's first several years, when he attended more regularly.

Len's favorite film was "The Shawshank Redemption," a quote from which he took inspiration: "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Some of his personal movie picks viewed and discussed at CineVerse over the years included "8 1/2," "The Pride of the Yankees," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "West Side Story," "The Good The Bad and The Ugly," "Field of Dreams," "The Devil and Daniel Webster,"  and "Blade Runner." He said his favorite snack to enjoy while watching movies was Junior Mints.

A wake and funeral mass will be held this coming weekend in Burbank, Ill. For full details, click here.