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, June 16, 2010
Garry Shider
Composer, guitarist extraordinaire, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member was a key part of Parliament, Funkadelic, and the P-Funk All-Stars. Via the Star-Ledger.
He was popularly known as "Diaper Man" for his distinctive concert-wear, but he was so much more. I got to hear you play, Garry, and I am richer for it. God bless you!
Bill Dixon
Free jazz trumpeter -- via jazzwise magazine
Quotes:
"If you are you, 24 hours a day, then you do not have to remember who you are supposed to be in different situations -- something that I imagine could be troublesome."
"My career has been different from most people, but I knew what I was not going to do. I knew I was not going to be controlled. I knew there was a price for this, but I did not know there was as large a price as it turned out to be."
"Whether I get adequate attention or not, people here do know the work I have been doing systematically and without compromise for over 40 years. I get tired of people making excuses for guys who don't continue the art because they can't make a living."
Joselito Agustin, Desiderio Camangyan
Joselito Agustin, in an undated photo via the Voice of America website.
These two Philippines journalists were shot to death in public over the last 24 hours. Both spoke out against corruption. Total journalists slain in Philippines since 1986 -- 139. A dangerous place to speak truth to power. Via the New York Times
John Morekas
Radio host served the East Coast's Greek-American community for over 50 years -- via groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and the Baltimore Sun
William Holloman
Tuskegee airman and historian -- via groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Don Shirreff
In 1956, this British intelligence officer vehemently protested selecting nuclear bombing targets in the USSR, for which he was fired. He became a teacher, writer and activist. Via the Independent
Jonathan Wolkening
Co-founder of dance company Pilobolus -- via the New York Times. "We created a circus and then ran off and joined it."
David Lewis
Social activist co-founded a successful drug treatment and prisoner rehabilitation program, after time in jail and recovering from his own addictions -- via the L.A. Times. He was shot in the back in what police are calling a targeted attack. He was 54.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Ferdinand Oyono
Cameroonian writer and civil servant -- he produced key works of 20th century African literature -- "Houseboy," "The Old Man and the Medal," and "Road to Europe" -- via afriquejet.com and Wikipedia
Ernest Fleischmann
Long-time Executive Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic worked hard to build a world-class artistic entity -- via the L.A. Times
Sir Idwal Pugh
British civil servant was an ombudsman -- that is, he fought the establishment's abuses on behalf of the disenfranchised. An excellent idea, and a noble career! Via the Telegraph
Leonida Georgievna Romanov
Born on the eve of the October Revolution -- was she, for a time, the Empress of All the Russias? -- via the Times of London
Al Williamson
Illustrator was renowned for his work on science fiction and fantasy titles -- 50 years' worth! -- via Comic Mix and Wikipedia
Jimmy Dean
Country/Western singer and businessman -- via the New York Times. He will always be remembered for his enormous hit, "Big Bad John." One of my earliest memories was watching his TV show -- he had a genial persona and a way with a tune.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Jerzy Stefan Stawinski
Polish screenwriter and director was part of the Warsaw Uprising; his experiences contributed to his remarkable collaboration with Andrzej Wajda, 1957's "Kanal" -- via Wikipedia
Little Orphan Annie
Comic-strip character and musical heroine ends her daily newspaper run at the age of 85 -- via the Associated Press
Friday, June 11, 2010
Joan Hinton
Physicist worked on the Manhattan Project, then joined China's Communist Revolution -- via the Washington Post
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Robert B. Radnitz
Hollywood producer made that rarest of all commodities -- good, complex, uncondescending, quality films for children and families
Peter J. Hall
One of Hall's designs for the Seattle Opera's 2008 production of "I Puritani."
Costume designer noted for his work in opera -- via the New York Times
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