Clancy Imislund was an influential figure in the

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led Mutual aid, mutual-aid fellowship focused on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism through its spiritually inclined twelve-step program. AA's Twelve Traditions, besides emphasizing anon ...

(AA) community and served as the managing director of the

Midnight Mission The Midnight Mission is a human services organization in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles.

in Los Angeles. Born in

Eau Claire, Wisconsin Eau Claire ( ; lit. "clear water") is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, Eau Claire and Chippewa County, Wisconsin, Chippewa counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the county seat, seat of Eau Claire County. It is the List of citie ...

, Imislund joined the Merchant Marine and the Navy during World War II, where he began struggling with alcoholism. After the war and enrolling at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, he faced recurring issues with alcohol, which led to frequent job losses and personal difficulties including the death of his son. He ended up homeless on

Skid Row, Los Angeles Skid Row is the unofficial name for a neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles officially known as Central City East. Skid Row contains one of the largest stable populations of homeless people in the United States, estimated at over 4,400, and has ...

. Following his involvement with AA, he achieved sobriety in October 1958 and was able to eventually reunite with his family. In 1974, Imislund returned to the Midnight Mission, where he was appointed managing director in 1976. Under his leadership, the Mission expanded its services to include substance abuse treatment, job training, and housing support. Imislund also founded the Pacific Group, a prominent AA meeting group, and was a sponsor to numerous individuals. He was a sober coach to

Carrie Fisher Carrie Frances Fisher (October 21, 1956 – December 27, 2016) was an American actress and writer. She played Princess Leia in the Star Wars original trilogy, original ''Star Wars'' films (1977–1983) and reprised the role in'' Star Wars: The F ...

, and helped

Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor. Considered one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for List of Anthony Hopkins performances, his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins ha ...

get sober. He died on August 21, 2020, at the age of 93.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Imislund, Clancy People from Los Angeles People from Eau Claire, Wisconsin Alcoholics Anonymous 2020 deaths United States Merchant Mariners of World War II United States Navy sailors