Longtime Antioch, Martinez resident Laspiñas, 55, was magician
"He loved making you smile, laugh or making you wonder, and it made him sparkle even more,” says the mother of their two daughters and his former wife.
Gone too soon for his loved ones, Gerald Joseph Laspiñas had the natural ability to capture the hearts and interests of all those with whom he surrounded himself — through love and magic.
Laspiñas, 55, died of natural causes Oct. 8 and is survived by his two daughters, Isabella, 19, and Sophia, 17. Born in the Philippines on March 15, 1967, he moved to Martinez when he was 13 and later as an adult lived for several years in Antioch. In addition to his great love for family and friends, he had a strong love for entertaining all those around him as an accomplished and sought-after magician.
“Through his magic, he loved making you smile, laugh or making you wonder, and it made him sparkle even more,” said the mother of their two daughters and his former wife, Stacey Duckett, of Benicia. “He was an entertainer on or off stage.”
Married to Laspiñas from 2000 to 2014, Duckett said he was a magician for 40 years, beginning at the tender age of 15. Laspiñas performed in many venues, including several private events and stage shows at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, the Annual Convention of the Society of American Magicians in New Orleans, the Magic Castle in Hollywood and numerous others.
“At the Annual Convention (in New Orleans), he competed and was considered one of the best 10 magicians performing at this convention,” said Duckett.
Also known as Gerry by friends and Pong Pong by family, Laspiñas won many awards throughout the years.
“He won awards with the Society of American Magicians, plus others,” said Duckett.
Duckett said his magic style encompassed several styles to include sleight-of-hand, illusionism, drama, comedy and quick-change magician.
“Gerald was able to combine this all into one and able to work the crowd from all angles,” she said. “He was a quick learner and did sleight-of-hand and illusions with dramatic and comical features.”
She said Laspiñas took great pleasure in perplexing his audience members, especially the intelligent ones.
“He was skilled at quickly thinking of a routine to bedazzle the audience — often making your head spin trying to figure out how he did the misdirection,” said Duckett. “Often he would chuckle, because to him, it was so simple and, to baffle the smartest of the smartest, he got a kick out of it.”
Laspiñas also performed his acts to various music and often included his talent for dance in his acts.
“Gerald had this unforgettable smile, laugh and passion,” added Duckett.
In addition to performing, Laspiñas, who was a self-taught magician (along with workshops and seminars with other magicians) he had a heart for helping others.
“He helped out when he could and he belonged to the Society of American Magicians for numerous years,” said Duckett. “He was always helping other upcoming magicians and encouraging others who had an interest in entertaining others.”
She said Laspiñas was loved by so many that his Celebration of Life service was packed full of friends and family.
“So many wanted to share stories about Gerald,” she said. “There was singing, dancing, and fellow magicians also were there. He brought us together, and that was great to see so many who loved him and how he inspired others.”
Aside from his full-time work as a magician, Laspiñas enjoyed riding his Triumph Café Racer motorcycle, sailing, break dancing and dancing in general, doing artwork and playing the ukulele and piano by listening (he’d had no formal lessons).
“He truly loved meeting people just to genuinely meet people,” said Duckett.
The entertainment industry took a huge hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, and there was no exception for Laspiñas.
“Magic was his full-time work until the pandemic, when all entertainment in person was cut off,” said Duckett. “Quickly, he got some work at Safeway. His magic business was again taking off with everything opening up.”
Laspiñas attended College Park High School in Concord, later received his GED and went on to take some college courses at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.
His biological mother, Leonidas Carina Laspiñas, predeceased him. In addition to Duckett and their daughters, Isabella and Sophia, Laspiñas is survived by his partner, Kristine Prema, of Benicia; stepmother, Andette (whom he called Mom), and father, Gonzalo Laspiñas; brother, Gerald Jon Laspiñas, and his spouse, Peter Bryld; sister, Geraldine Laspiñas Zenquis, and her three daughters (his nieces); Aunt Precious and Uncle Steve Domasig; Uncle Gerardo C. Lorenzo; cousin Caressa Domasig and many more. He is also survived by his beloved pet bunny, Ella.
Duckett said the most important things in Laspiñas’ life were “Putting a smile on your face, making you laugh or shocking you and enjoying life.”
Charleen Earley is a freelance writer and journalism professor at Foothill and Diablo Valley colleges. Reach her at charleenbearley@gmail.com or 925-383-3072.