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.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Therese Vanier
Doctor and pioneer in palliative and hospice care, as well as integrative living plans for the disabled (L'Arche) -- via EAPC.
From the obit -- "Unassuming and gentle, wise and simple in reaching the truth, constantly searching for justice in the service to the most vulnerable in society, Thérèse Vanier’s deep commitment was to humanity.
«S’il n’y a plus rien à faire, tout reste à faire. »(When there is nothing more that can be done, everything can still be done.)"
Dick Seltzer
Actor and educator -- via philly.com. He's the gut in that Pennsylvania Lottery Christmas TV commercial!
Marilyn "Mitzie" Welch
Comedian, performer, composer and arranger ("The Carol Burnett Show"), and screenwriter -- via legacy.com. Mother of Gillian Welch.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
David Gardner-Medwin
Neurologist who vastly improved the treatment of muscular dystrophy -- via the Telegraph.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Louis Zamperini
Athlete, war hero, and spiritual modeler of forgiveness -- via the New York Times. An Olympian, he survived 47 days at sea after a plane crash, then a long term of imprisonment and torture at the hands of the Japanese. After a period of despair and addiction, a religious epiphany led him to forgive his captors and remake his life.
Frederick I. Ordway III
Space scientist, prolific writer, and art collector -- via the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He dreamed of space flight as a child; he read avidly science fiction and joined the American Rocket Society in 1939, at the age of 12. His dreams came true -- he worked to develop rocket travel and space flight, and helped man go to the moon!
Stephen Gaskin
Man with a vision who figured out how to implement it; "Hippy Priest, Spiritual Revolutionary, Cannabis Advocate, shade tree mechanic, cultural engineer, tractor driver and community starter" -- via the New York Times.
Francis Matthews
Actor; best known for roles as TV detective Paul Temple and voice of Captain Scarlet in the "supermarionation" series "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons."
Don Matheson
Actor best remembered for his role in "Land of the Giants" -- via Stefan Arngrim on Facebook. I was a sucker for all things Irwin Allen in 1960s television; loved this cheesy series in which Mathews played good guy Dan Erickson.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/2568
http://www.hulu.com/watch/2568
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Bob Hastings
Actor in radio, film, and television -- via the New York Daily News. Best remembered as Carpenter in the TV comedy series "McHale's Navy," the long-lived Hastings began his career in 1936 in radio shows such as "Coast to Coast on a Bus" and, after WWII, the lead character in "The Adventures of Archie Andrews." He did extensive work in early TV -- "Captain Video," "Atom Squad," "Sgt. Bilko," and dozens of others. After "McHale's Navy," his extensive work continued on shows auch as "All in the Family," "General Hospital," and eventually he did an inrcedible amount of voice work, returning to his sound-studio roots. A thoroughly dependable performer!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Paul Mazursky aka Irwin Mazursky
Director, screenwriter, producer, actor, comedy writer, and comedian -- via the L.A. Times. Nominated for an Oscar five times, he is one of the key directors of the Silver Age of American cinema. Although he is not remembered as well as the heavy hitters, he is my personal favorite. I loved this man.
He was in Kubrick's first film, "Fear and Desire."
He played a punk in "The Blackboard Jungle."
He sold comedy sketches in the early days of TV, did standup, was in a duo with Herb Hartig called Igor & h that appeared on Steve Allen's show.
He wrote for "The Danny Kaye Show." He co-wrote the pilot of "The Monkees." He wrote "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas,"
which gave him a shot to direct. He made "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," and his career was made.
The films he made were my no means perfect, but somehow they touched me more deeply than many others. I loved "Alex in Wonderland,"
"Blume in Love,"
"Harry & Tonto,"
"Next Stop, Greenwich Village,"
"Tempest,"
"Moon over Parador,"
"Enemies: A Love Story."
Hell, I even loved "The Pickle." (I didn't like "An Unmarried Woman" or "Moscow on the Hudson" or "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." In fact, they made me mad. Which means I really do love him.)
Read his memoir "Show Me the Magic" -- it's hilarious and wise.
I came out of nearly every film of his grinning and punching at the sky in delight. Somehow he just was able to get inside all of his characters. Like the great French directors he admired so much, he knew that everyone has his reasons, and could not fail to give a rounded portrait of even the most unlikable characters -- or the shadow side of even his nicest heroes. Above all, he was FUNNY. I am very very lucky to have grown up with him, and I hope to God I can write as well as him someday. Thank you, Paul.
He was in Kubrick's first film, "Fear and Desire."
He played a punk in "The Blackboard Jungle."
He sold comedy sketches in the early days of TV, did standup, was in a duo with Herb Hartig called Igor & h that appeared on Steve Allen's show.
He wrote for "The Danny Kaye Show." He co-wrote the pilot of "The Monkees." He wrote "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas,"
which gave him a shot to direct. He made "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," and his career was made.
The films he made were my no means perfect, but somehow they touched me more deeply than many others. I loved "Alex in Wonderland,"
"Blume in Love,"
"Harry & Tonto,"
"Next Stop, Greenwich Village,"
"Tempest,"
"Moon over Parador,"
"Enemies: A Love Story."
Hell, I even loved "The Pickle." (I didn't like "An Unmarried Woman" or "Moscow on the Hudson" or "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." In fact, they made me mad. Which means I really do love him.)
Read his memoir "Show Me the Magic" -- it's hilarious and wise.
I came out of nearly every film of his grinning and punching at the sky in delight. Somehow he just was able to get inside all of his characters. Like the great French directors he admired so much, he knew that everyone has his reasons, and could not fail to give a rounded portrait of even the most unlikable characters -- or the shadow side of even his nicest heroes. Above all, he was FUNNY. I am very very lucky to have grown up with him, and I hope to God I can write as well as him someday. Thank you, Paul.
Christian Fuhrer
Pastor and activist -- via the Telegraph. His weekly "prayers for peace" were the catalyst that brought down the Berlin Wall!
Allen Grossman
Poet, scholar, critic, and teacher -- via the New York Times. "Poetry is a principle of power invoked against all our vanishing."
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