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.
Magician with an astonishing life story -- via The Magic Circle. He was born a month after Armistice Day in 1918. He became a professional magician at the age of 18, under the moniker of Wizardus. Part of the British armed forces, he was captured in the all of Singapore; it took him seven years to get home again. He was moved from prison camp to prison camp, avoided being bayoneted to death in the hospital and being taken out and shot as well. He even labored on the infamous Burma Railway. His ability to do magic tricks sometimes came in handy in preserving his life and those of his comrades.
The first nationally syndicated Bozo the Clown -- via Syracuse.com. Larry Harmon ownehd the rights to the Bozo character, but he maximized the character's profit potential by franchising it. Harmon, Avruch, Bob Bell, Willard Scott, and Joey D'Auria all played Bozo, and there were many local Bozos as well.
Actress -- via Dagbladet. AKA Anna Lisa Ruud. She did lots of TV, but should perhaps be commemorated for starring in a trifecta of bad films -- Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959) the first Three Stooges feature film; 12 to the Moon (1960), a memorable Mystery Science Theater 3000 entry; and the seemingly lost The Search for the Evil One, aka Hitler no ha muerto (1967)!
