John Durliat has passed away

[Dennis Benjamin]

On Saturday I was at my local Toyota Dealership dealing with vehicle problem, when I received a message. One of my mentors in the movie theatre business had passed away on Friday. I mentioned where I was as I had a very emotional moment when I got the news. I got to know John during my first stint at Regal Cinemas in the nineties. He was a fellow Ohioan who was just as passionate about the movie business as I was. We worked together on a few projects. He also taught me how to certify an auditorium for THX sound (back when it was a big deal). We reminisced about all things Ohio and specifically Cincinnati Style Chili and of course, fishing.

I wanted to come on here and mention him. A couple of years ago one of my other mentors in the business, Freddie Dobbs, had passed away. These gentlemen had a wealth of knowledge and experience in our industry. They were genuinely nice guys who never took issue with taking the time to train me as a young man coming up in the business. It is a stark reminder of how fleeting life can be. I hope that I have made them proud as a fellow showmen in the movie business.

I had an epiphany last night and thought of a wonderful way to immortalize them. Tonight I am going to work on that and I will come back on here and show you the results.

[Jeremy Weigel]

This is truly saddening news. Got to know John when he came out to install projection equipment after Regal added 2 screens to Kickingbird Cinema in Edmond, OK in late '95. As I recall he took over tech support for our area after Troy James left Regal for Strong International. I last spoke with John in early 2001 when I submitted my resignation from Regal. I did attempt to contact him a few years later when I was passing through Knoxville on my way to visit my sister at Camp Lejeune.

[Dennis Benjamin]

Here is the first part...

[Tim Reed]

That's a wonderful and fitting memorial, Dennis. I was stunned to hear John had passed. We were in regular contact on Facebook, and he offered his personal experience and encouragement to me regarding chronic kidney disease. John had been on dialysis for a long time (though I don't know if that was a factor in his passing), and greatly helped allay my fears as I prepare to begin dialysis myself. (It seems like a lot of us booth techs have developed kidney disease - what's up with that... all those years breathing carbon fumes?)

John was a good friend to me since the 70s when he serviced Chakeres Theatres for his and Don Devore's company, Cinema Techniques. He always got things done. He was jovial and a devoted family man, too.

Speaking of all things Ohio, I just had some Cincinnati Chili in his honor. Godspeed, my friend.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Tim... You should be able to get a transplant. I had one here in Nashville about 3.5 years ago when I was 65, and am doing great. There's been no change in kidney function.
Doing dialysis, unless you are doing peratoneal, is very hard on anyone's body. I had to do about two years of hemodialysis since the one previous transplant done in Utah was not done correctly, and that kidney had to be removed. Once they slice through the peratoneum, it won't reliably hold fluid for a few months, if ever.
Anyway, I wish you the best, and hope you can look into a transplant. Cleveland Clinic is one of the top places to get it done. Mine was done at Vanderbilt Transplant Center here in Nasville. There is snother Film Techer with the same issue, but I'll let him chime in about his.

[Dennis Benjamin]

I was informed yesterday that Martin Durliat, John's son, took a bad fall and passed away this past Wednesday. Thoughts and Prayers out to the Durliat family.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Dennis, so sorry to hear that... My condolences.

[Tim Reed]

Thanks, Mark. I'm glad to know you are doing great with your transplant. I appreciate your insight.