Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Fud Leclerc aka Fernand Urbain Dominic Leclercq
Pianist and singer -- via esctoday. He is remembered for being the first person to acquire no points at all in the Eurovision Song Contest -- but I don't think he sounds that bad. Besides, what a great name -- Fud Leclerc.
Jennifer Rardin
Author best known for her work in the spy-fi/urban fantasy genre -- via expressionstributes
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Ray Coleman
Outfielder for the Browns, Athletics, White Sox and Dodgers -- via the amazing detective abilities of Bill Schenley; groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and the Oklahoman. Also, here's a nice profile of him from Gary Bedingfield's baseballinwartime.com.
Jimmy McMath
Outfielder with the Cubs in 1968 -- via the indefatigable Bill Schenley, Tim Copeland, and http://groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries
Funerals go online: the coming rush of Web obituary and rememberance services and sites
A well-done piece by David Elbert in the Des Moines Register talks about online funerals, Web sites devoted to commemoration, and more.
Obituary analysis: how do we define our feelings?
New Indian Express film critic Baradwaj Rangan analyzes the difficulties inherent in obituary writing -- via Blogical Conclusion.
On obituary writing: do's and dont's
A nice little editorial by Cathie Rov at the Coast Reporter that meditates on the do's and dont's of obituary writing.
Monday, September 20, 2010
A. Ronald 'Ron' Menchine
He was the last radio voice of the Washington Senators, but so much more! He acted in films, collected baseball and football memorabilia, and wrote as well. Via Bill Schenley, and Frederick N. Rasmussen at the Baltimore Sun.
Buddy Collette
More than just a top-notch jazz multi-instrumentalist and bandleader. He worked hard to integrate the West Coast music scene, fought for the musicians' union, and served as a fount of information on the history of music in the area as well. Quite a guy!
Dig his beautiful tone . . .
Dig his beautiful tone . . .
Irving Ravetch
Wonderful Hollywood screenwriter and producer -- via Deadline Hollywood. Often collaborating with his wife, Harriet Frank Jr. (both pictured above), Ravetch wrote some of my favorite films: "Vengeance Valley," "Hud," "Hombre," "The Reivers," "The Cowboys," "Norma Rae" and "Murphy's Romance," among others.
Leonard Skinner
High-school gym teacher whose name was the inspiration for the name of rock-band great Lynyrd Skynyrd -- via the New York Times.
Can 'old age' again be listed as a legitimate cause of death?
Increased longevity is making it more difficult for physicians to identify and differentiate among immediate and underlying causes of death, as well as significant factors contributing to death. An excellent story by David Brown at the Washington Post.
More Mexican journalists killed: paper pleads with cartel for mercy
The second journalist in two years is killed at El Diario, the newspaper in Ciudad Juarez. The editorial staff writes an op/ed addressed to the drug gangs, asking them for a solution. It seems that law and order is out of order in northern Mexico. An excellent story by Nick Valencia at CNN.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Historian to unite Chandler's, wife's remains
A perfect feature story by John Rogers via the Denver Post and the Associated Press. It tells us that Loren Latker, a historian focused on the life and work of oft-imitated, never-surpassed crime novelist Raymond Chandler (pictured above), has arranged for the ashes of his wife to be united with his remains at a cemetery in San Diego. It turns out he wanted to be cremated and placed next to her; however, this seems to be the best the system can do. Latker will inter her this coming Valentine's Day during a graveside celebration and plans to serve drink vodka gimlets at the event.
Marilyn Cantor Baker
TV, radio and nightclub performer; she was the first female disc jockey in New York; and she wrote sitcoms such as "Love, Sidney." Via Sitcoms Online and Legacy.com. The fourth of vaudeville, film and radio star Eddie Cantor's oft-referred-to five daughters.
Jessie James 'Mitch' Mitchell, Sr.
Ace Negro Leagues centerfielder and respected batter -- via the Birmingham News.
James Bacon
Hollywood columnist, reporter and writer -- via the L.A. Times. He acted a bit as well; he has the distinction of being the only performer who appeared in each of the five original "Planet of the Apes" movies!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Eileen Nearne
An intelligence agent and radio operator in occupied France. She survived capture and torture by the Gestapo, and imprisonment in concentration camps. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre. A woman who risked her life, and sacrificed her mental well-being, in the Allied cause in World War II. Via the Telegraph
'As the World Turns'
54-year-old CBS soap opera, which broadcast its last episode today -- via Yahoo News. A brief blast from the New York Times about it as well. Irna Phillips, who is credited with creating the soap opera genre on radio in 1932, and who died in 1973, helped create this series. Only one of her creations, "Days of Our Lives," remains on the broadcast menu.
Can you name the three honored actors in this "As the World Turns" scene?
Can you name the three honored actors in this "As the World Turns" scene?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Caterina Boratto
Italian actress in film and television -- via Leggo.it. She can be seen in "Juliet of the Spirits" (above), "8 1/2," "Castle Keep" and "Salo." She worked between 1937 and 1993 -- quite a long career!
Beatrice Sinclair
Hotelier whose venue became the inspiration for "Fawlty Towers" -- via the Telegraph
Arrow aka Alphonsus Cassell
Noted soca singer -- via Stabroek News. Soca is an acronym for soul calypso -- a fusion of lyrical calypso with an insistent, oftern electronic, beat. His biggest hit was "Hot, Hot, Hot."
Don Lang
Infielder for the Reds and the Cardinals -- via Jack Morris, Bill Schenley, alt.obits at google and the Ventura County Star. At the time of his death, one of the oldest living former major leaguers.
Al LaMacchia
Pitcher for the Browns and Senators (OK, and a noted baseball scout for decades afterward) -- via the L.A. Times
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