Veteran direct marketing attorney John Awerdick died Nov. 21 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York of complications from cancer surgery. He was 52. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and two children.

A partner in the New York law firm of Hall Dickler Kent Friedman and Wood LLP, Awerdick played a role in legal and regulatory battles, and frequently spoke on privacy and other issues.

“He was very instrumental in working on the federal sweepstakes bill,” said Linda Goldstein, a Hall Dickler partner and head of its advertising and marketing group. “It’s unfortunate that he didn’t live to see its actual passage, but it will remain a continuing legacy.”(At press time, the bill had passed both houses of Congress and was awaiting signature by President Clinton.)

“Direct marketing has lost a wonderful friend and a terrific advocate,” added Mary Alice Hurst, a consultant on ethical uses of data, who often appeared with Awerdick at sessions. “He handled some of the most difficult, sensitive issues both from a legal and an ethical standpoint in a very professional way.”

Awerdick, a graduate of Fordham Law School and Georgetown School of Foreign Service, had worked for the law firms of Stryker, Tams and Dill of Newark, NJ; and Williams, Caliri, Miller & Otley of Wayne, NJ. He also wrote on legal affairs for DIRECT magazine. His clients included publishers, advertising agencies, and firms operating catalogs, clubs and continuities.

“John was a valued colleague for 10 years,” said Tom Stumb, senior vice president/chief operating officer for the horticulture group of client Foster & Gallagher. “He was a person of high integrity and extensive knowledge about sweepstakes and advertising law. He will be sincerely missed.”

“We were honored to have a chance to work with John Awerdick on a number of legislative issues, and we always enjoyed his wisdom and humor and kindness,” noted Mark Micali, vice president, government affairs for the Direct Marketing Association.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the music therapy program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, attention Robert Wilkins, director of development.

Veteran direct marketing attorney John Awerdick died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York on Sunday of complications from cancer surgery. He was 52.

He is survived by his wife Sue and two children.

Awerdick, a partner in the New York-based law firm of Hall Dickler Kent Friedman and Wood LLP, played a role in several legal and regulatory battles, and was a frequent speaker on privacy and other issues.

“He was very instrumental in working on the federal sweepstakes bill,” said Linda Goldstein, a partner in Hall Dickler and head of its advertising and marketing group. “It’s unfortunate that he didn’t live to see its actual passage, but it will remain a continuing legacy.” (At deadline, the bill had passed both houses of Congress and awaited signature by President Clinton).

“Direct marketing has lost a wonderful friend and a terrific advocate,” added Mary Alice Hurst, a consultant on ethical uses of data, who often appeared with Awerdick at sessions. “He handled some of the most difficult, sensitive issues both from a legal and from an ethical standpoint in a very professional way.”

Awerdick was a graduate of Fordham Law School and Georgetown School of Foreign Service. During his career, he worked for the law firms of Stryker, Tams and Dill, Newark, NJ; and Williams, Caliri, Miller & Otley, Wayne, NJ. He also wrote on legal affairs for DIRECT magazine.

Among his clients were book and magazine publishers, advertising agencies, and firms operating catalogs, clubs and continuities.

“John was a valued colleague for 10 years,” said Tom Stumb, senior vice president/chief operating officer for the horticulture group of Foster & Gallagher. “He was a person of high integrity and extensive knowledge about sweepstakes and advertising law. He will be sincerely missed.”

“We were honored to have a chance to work with John Awerdick on a number of legislative issues, and that we always enjoyed his wisdom and humor and kindness,” added Mark Micali, vice president, government affairs for the Direct Marketing Association.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Union Congregational Church, at 176 Cooper Ave Upper Montclair, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations made be made to: Music Therapy Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021. Contributions should be addressed to Robert Wilkins, director of development.