2016 Obituaries

And weaker minded people pass judgement on situations and illnesses they know nothing about.

 

Drug addiction is not an "illness".

 

Sir Terry Wogan: Veteran broadcaster dies, aged 77

A genuine legend in UK broadcasting - one of the biggest names in Radio and TV for half a century.

 

World's top chef found dead at his home...

'World's best chef' Benoit Violier dies aged 44
31 Jan.`16 - Chef Benoit Violier, whose Swiss restaurant was named the best in the world in December, has been found dead at his home.

 

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White dies...

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White dead at 74
February 4, 2016 | Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, whose horn-driven band sold more than 90 million albums and made hits like "September," ''Shining Star" and "Boogie Wonderland," died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his brother Verdine said.

 

Playboy Model Katie May Dies at Age 34 After Suffering Stroke: Report.....



Playboy model Katie May passed away on Thursday, February 4, after suffering a serious stroke on Monday, February 1, according to TMZ. She was 34. According to the site, May, known as the “Queen of Snapchat,” was taken off life support on Thursday and died surrounded by her family and friends.

The blonde beauty’s family previously told TMZ that May had been complaining of neck pain prior to her stroke on Monday.

May’s last Instagram post was on Monday, February 1, and featured a photo of her leaning against a sandy cliff while wearing a bikini. “Hope everyone is having a great Monday!” she captioned the snap. “It’s very windy here today in LA #bikini #california #beach #lagunabeach.”.....snip~

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/playboy-model-katie-may-dies-at-age-34-after-140252409.html

R.I.P. Katie May.

 

Georgy Girl author Forster dies...

Author Margaret Forster dies from cancer aged 77
Mon, 08 Feb 2016 - The novelist Margaret Forster dies at the age of 77 after suffering from cancer in her back.

 

Prince Discovery Vanity Dies at 57.....



The former wild child behind the dance hit “Nasty Girl,” Denise Matthews spent the last decades as a sober Christian evangelist.

Denise Matthews — far better known by her stage name, Vanity — has died at age 57 from kidney failure, the result of years of crack cocaine abuse, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The singer and actress died Monday in a hospital in Fremont, Calif., the Bay Area city she called home.

“She absolute loved God unto salvation,” her friend MC Hammer tweeted Monday night [2] as the Grammy Awards got underway. “She fell ill during the night [and] ended up on life support.”.....snip~

https://www.yahoo.com/music/prince-discovery-vanity-dies-at-57-020547529.html

R.I.P. Denise Matthews/Vanity.

[video=youtube;YDbP9Vi3-ec]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDbP9Vi3-ec[/video]

 

Antonin Scalia obituary

"Antonin Gregory Scalia, jurist, born 11 March 1936; died 13 February 2016"



http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/15/antonin-scalia-obituary

"Scalia, who has died aged 79, made no bones about his political conservatism. He was, for example, a passionate opponent of abortion. He upheld the death penalty and opposed restraints on gun ownership: he was himself a keen shot, taught to shoot rabbits on Long Island by his grandfather and later a keen hunter of deer and big game. He dissented from attempts to free prisoners from the Guantánamo prison camp. He dissented, too, in Lawrence v Texas (2003), the case in which the court struck down laws against sodomy. As for Bush v Gore, he said to his critics simply: “Get over it.”"

.

 

George Gaynes, of 'Punky Brewster, 'Police Academy' Fame dies at age 98.....



George Gaynes, who portrayed an irritable foster parent on the '80s sitcom "Punky Brewster," the bewildered commandant in seven "Police Academy" films and a soap opera star with a crush on Dorothy Michaels, whom he doesn't know is Dustin Hoffman's character in drag, in the hit feature comedy "Tootsie," died on Monday in North Bend, Wash. He was 98.

His death was confirmed by his daughter, Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown, according to the New York Times.

Gaynes, who was not only a character actor but a baritone singer, made hundreds of appearances both on TV comedies and dramas, as well as 35 films (counting both features and and made-for-TV movies) and many plays, musical comedies and even operas in the U.S. and Europe.



He changed his last name to Gaynes and guested on TV series including "The Defenders," "Mission: Impossible," "Bonanza," "Mannix," "Hogan's Heroes," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Hawaii Five-0" and "Chicago Hope." In addition he appeared on the daytime soaps "General Hospital" and "Search for Tomorrow." Film credits included "The Way We Were," "Altered States" and "Wag the Dog."

He retired in 2003 after appearing in the feature comedy "Just Married," starring Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. Gaynes is survived by his wife, actress Allyn Ann McLerie.....snip~

http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...-brewster-police-academy-fame-dies-98-n519806


A long life and the memories made.....R.I.P. George Gaynes.

 

Harper Lee, Author of To Kill a Mockingbird passes on at 89...

Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird author, dies aged 89
Friday 19 February 2016 - Writer whose 1961 novel became a defining text of 20th-century literature and of racial troubles in the American south has died in Monroeville, Alabama

 

[video]https://youtu.be/pU_8D5jBqd0[/video]

R.I.P

 

R.I.P. Sonny James.

 

Airport, Cool Hand Luke:

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/george-kennedy-dies-dead-airport-cool-hand-luke-1201718567/

‘Airport’ Star George Kennedy Dies at 91

Carmel Dagan
George KennedySNAP STILLS/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | 01:46PM PT
George Kennedy, who won a supporting actor Oscar for his role alongside Paul Newman in the beloved film “Cool Hand Luke,” and was also a fixture of 1970s disaster movies including the “Airport” franchise and “Earthquake,” died Sunday in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. His grandson Cory Schenkel reported the death on his Facebook page.

While Kennedy largely played gruff, blue-collar characters in dramas and genre films, he allowed a comedic side to emerge in the deadpan “The Naked Gun” movies.

Kennedy appeared in all four of the “Airport” movies of the 1970s as Joe Patroni, the reluctant, cigar-chomping but highly effective chief mechanic who could be counted upon when the chips were down and supreme expertise was required. He also turned in a powerful performance in 1975’s “Earthquake” as the hearty, sentimental police sergeant Slade, who helps where he can in the wake of the devastating temblor.

Kennedy toiled in the TV trenches for much of the 1960s, especially guesting on Westerns — and occasionally appearing in supporting roles in high-profile films such as “In Harm’s Way,” “The Sons of Katie Elder,” “The Flight of the Phoenix” and “The Dirty Dozen.”

He finally burst into the public consciousness with his 1967 role as Dragline in “Cool Hand Luke,” in which he was second-billed and held his own alongside star Paul Newman. The New York Times said: “George Kennedy is powerfully obsessive as the top-dog who handles things his way as effectively and finally as destructively as does the warden or the guards.”

During the 1970s he made two attempts at starring in his own television series: 1971’s brief “Sarge,” in which he played a priest with a police background, and 1975’s “The Blue Knight,” an adaptation of the Joseph Wambaugh novel and subsequent TV movie in which he played a Los Angeles beat cop.

 

He was one of the Top supporting actors out there until he got older. Known as the Journeyman. I think he did one of the Magnificent 7 movies too. Took over the lead from Yul Brenner. A long life!



R.I.P. George Kennedy.

 

Conrack passes on...

'Prince of Tides' author Pat Conroy dies at 70
5 Mar.`16 - Pat Conroy, the beloved author of "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides" and other best-sellers who drew upon his bruising childhood and the vistas of South Carolina and became one of the country's most compelling and popular storytellers, died Friday evening. He was 70.

 

Nancy Reagan passes on...

Former first lady Nancy Reagan dies at 94 in California
Mar 6,`16 -- Nancy Reagan, the helpmate, backstage adviser and fierce protector of Ronald Reagan in his journey from actor to president - and finally during his 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease - has died. She was 94. The former first lady died Sunday at her home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles of congestive heart failure, assistant Allison Borio told The Associated Press.

 

There is a couple of threads up on it to Walt.

http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/447092-former-first-lady-nancy-reagan-dies-94-a.html

http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/447099-nancy-reagan-dies-94-a.html

 

He likes to create a thread that chronicles all the deaths into one place. Really not a bad idea for a reference come the end of the year when people want to look back.

 

Yeah, Walt and I go back a bit. I was just letting him know there were discussions on it.

 

Email inventor Tomlinson dies at 74...

Email inventor Ray Tomlinson dies at 74
Sun, 06 Mar 2016 - Internet pioneer Ray Tomlinson, who is credited with the invention of email, dies at the age of 74.

 

Keith Emerson, keyboardist for Emerson, Lake and Palmer dies of suicide...

Progressive rock legend Emerson dies
Sat, 12 Mar 2016 - Progressive rock legend Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, aged 71, police tell the BBC.

See also:

Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer Dies at 71
Mar 11 2016 — Keith Emerson, founder and keyboardist of the progressive-rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has died, his longtime partner announced Friday. He was 71.

 

Yep Walt, I heard late yesterday. Keith Emerson.....gone.

R.I.P. Keith.

 

Frank Sinatra Jr. dies of cardiac arrest while on tour.....



Frank Sinatra Jr., who carried on his famous father's legacy with his own music career and whose kidnapping as a young man added a bizarre chapter to his father's legendary life, died Wednesday. He was 72.

The younger Sinatra died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest while on tour in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Sinatra family said in a statement to The Associated Press.

His real name was Francis Wayne Sinatra — his father's full name is Francis Albert Sinatra — but went professionally by Frank Sinatra Jr.

He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1943, just as his father's career was getting started, and he would watch his dad become one of the most famous singers of all time. But he usually watched from a distance, as Sinatra was constantly away on tours and making movies.

The elder Sinatra died of a heart attack May 14, 1998, at 82......snip~

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...natra-jr-has-died/ar-BBqylGr?ocid=ansmsnent11


R.I.P. Frank Jr.

 

He was only 46:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35872594

Rob Ford, Toronto ex-mayor, dies aged 46 from cancer
2 hours ago
From the section US & Canada
Rob FordImage copyrightReuters
Image caption
Mr Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine in 2013
Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has died at the age of 46 after fighting cancer, his family has said.
Mr Ford, who battled drug and alcohol addiction, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2014.
He gained international notoriety after admitting smoking crack cocaine in 2013, but he was loved by supporters.
"A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto," his family said in a statement.
He could not run for re-election as mayor in 2014 due to his cancer diagnosis, but won a city council seat in a landslide result.
His image contrasted sharply with Canada's usual calm, buttoned-up politics.
Profile: Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
Toronto ex-mayor: Everyone makes mistakes
Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media captionToronto Mayor Rob Ford: In his own words
Reacting to his death, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Rob Ford fought cancer with courage and determination. My condolences and best wishes to the Ford family today."
The current mayor of Toronto, John Tory, said in a statement that "the city is reeling with this news".
"He was a man who spoke his mind and who ran for office because of the deeply felt convictions that he had.
"I know there are many who were affected by his gregarious nature and approach to public service.''
Scandal
While serving as Toronto mayor, Mr Ford was videotaped and photographed intoxicated in public areas.
"Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Mr Ford told reporters. "But... do I? Am I addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago."
Despite the crack-smoking scandal, his popularity remained high with fans lining up to take photo with him.
Rob Ford with supportersImage copyrightReuters
Image caption
Mr Ford was beloved by his supporters
He appealed to conservative, working-class people with his populist message. Many of his supporters in the 2010 Toronto mayoral election came from the outer suburbs of the city.
One of his key campaign promises was to "stop the gravy train" of government spending and he pledged to end "the war on the car".
During Canada's national election last year, Mr Ford threw his support behind former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lost to Justin Trudeau, a liberal.
Mr Harper tweeted on Tuesday: "Rob was a fighter throughout life & dedicated public servant who will be remembered for his courage, love for Toronto & his family."
New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair tweeted also his condolences to Mr Ford's family, saying "46 is far too young to lose a loved one".
Mr Ford grew up in Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto, dropping out of university after one year to work in his family business.
He is survived by his wife Renata and his two children, Stephanie and Doug.