Obituaries for 2017

[andy58-in-nh]

Okay,   He drove a Dodge Dart GTS and then a Dodge Challenger and a Plymouth Cuda.  No way Joe would be caught dead in a camaro.  Specially since Chrysler supplied the cars!

I'd forgotten he was a Mopar Man. What I remembered was that he had this secretary Peggy (Gail Fisher) who was pretty easy on the eyes...

[jmyrlefuller]

Barbara Hale dies at 94



After a film career that lasted over a decade, Hale landed her signature role, that of legal secretary Della Street on the Perry Mason TV series, in 1957. She held onto the role throughout the entire series' run, and in the TV movies as well. Typecast the rest of her life, her acting career was thereafter limited to bit parts and guest roles. She was married to Bill Williams until his death, a union that brought three children, one of whom, William Katt, went on to be a famous actor himself.

Her cause of death was listed as COPD.

Obituary from MeTV

Wikipedia

[Bigun]

Used to own one just like this right down to the color.

[Applewood]

Aw, man!  Another TV icon from my youth has gone.  I watched Perry Mason religiously as a young kid.  Thanks to Della Street, I became a legal secretary.  She was my inspiration.  Of course, no legal secretary I knew of was anything like her. But that's ok.  That  career was very good to me. 

Now that I'm retired, I still watch reruns of Perry Mason. It's rather fun, especially when I see the big honkin' cars that were popular during that era.  In those days, cars looked like cars, not boxes on wheels. 

Della Street was a classy lady, and I believe Barbara Hale was in real life, too.  Rest in peace,,Barbara Halel

[Wingnut]

Used to own one just like this right down to the color.

Man the lead sleds you could buy for $2000 dollars back then.    It is a damn shame. 

[Smokin Joe]

Barbara Hale dies at 94



After a film career that lasted over a decade, Hale landed her signature role, that of legal secretary Della Street on the Perry Mason TV series, in 1957. She held onto the role throughout the entire series' run, and in the TV movies as well. Typecast the rest of her life, her acting career was thereafter limited to bit parts and guest roles. She was married to Bill Williams until his death, a union that brought three children, one of whom, William Katt, went on to be a famous actor himself.

Her cause of death was listed as COPD.

Obituary from MeTV

Wikipedia

I used to watch that show when I was young, and it almost convinced me to go into law. (I found something I liked even better, though.)
Anyhow, Sad she's gone, and may she RIP.

[Ghost Bear]

John Hurt, Oscar-Nominated Star of 'The Elephant Man,' Dies at 77

John Hurt, the esteemed British actor known for his burry voice and weathered visage — one that was kept hidden for his most acclaimed role, that of the deformed John Merrick in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man — has died, according to reports from several British newspapers. He was 77.

The two-time Oscar nominee's six-decade career also included turns on the BBC’s Doctor Who and in A Man for All Seasons (1966), Midnight Express (1978) and three Harry Potter films.

He announced in June 2015 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

More at the link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-hurt-dead-elephant-man-809521

[corbe]

 John Hurt dead at 77
By Joe Tacopino
January 27, 2017 | 8:22pm


Award winning actor John Hurt reportedly died on Friday after a battle with cancer.

The 77-year-old actor, who starred in films such as “Harry Potter” and “The Elephant Man,” passed away after suffering from pancreatic cancer, according to London’s Mirror newspaper.

Hurt contemplated his demise during an interview he did in 2015 while fighting the disease.

“I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it,” Hurt said.

“We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly.”

http://pagesix.com/2017/01/27/john-hurt-dead-at-77/

[Smokin Joe]

John Hurt, Oscar-Nominated Star of 'The Elephant Man,' Dies at 77

John Hurt, the esteemed British actor known for his burry voice and weathered visage — one that was kept hidden for his most acclaimed role, that of the deformed John Merrick in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man — has died, according to reports from several British newspapers. He was 77.

The two-time Oscar nominee's six-decade career also included turns on the BBC’s Doctor Who and in A Man for All Seasons (1966), Midnight Express (1978) and three Harry Potter films.

He announced in June 2015 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

More at the link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-hurt-dead-elephant-man-809521

He had a tremendous career.

[Gefn]

He was great as Caligula in I Claudius.

And he scared the pants off me in Alien.

I don't know why he never got a knighthood.

RIP

[Frank Cannon]

Used to own one just like this right down to the color.

LOL. Looks like you had Dodge Fever. I have a fetish for woodgrain applique on the dash so I was never a fan of those.

[Bigun]

LOL. Looks like you had Dodge Fever. I have a fetish for woodgrain applique on the dash so I was never a fan of those.

Two things Frank!

1. The chicks loved it

2. It ran like a scalded cat!

[Frank Cannon]

Two things Frank!

1. The chicks loved it

2. It ran like a scalded cat!

That's cool, but in between getting laid you have to stare at the gauges going back and forth to work. I like a pleasant upscale experience for that. It gets me through the day.

[Bigun]

That's cool, but in between getting laid you have to stare at the gauges going back and forth to work. I like a pleasant upscale experience for that. It gets me through the day.

LOL!  I was much younger then Frank and only had a blood supply large enough for one head at a time!

I might agree with you today!

[Frank Cannon]

LOL!  I was much younger then Frank and only had a blood supply large enough for one head at a time!

I might agree with you today!

LOL. I hear ya. My first real pick up car was a brand new '85 Delta 88 Royale Brougham coupe that was silver with a velor burgundy interior I ordered. Had power everything and a digital cassette player. Previous to that I drove $500 garbage.

[TomSea]

Black Sabbath Keyboardist Geoff Nicholls.
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/01/28/512175669/geoff-nicholls-longtime-keyboardist-for-black-sabbath-dies-aged-68

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/88868640/black-sabbath-keyboardist-geoff-nicholls-dies-aged-68

I'm sure Sabbath had a lot of different band members, I think they are originally a band from Birmingham, England.

RIP;

[TomSea]

On regular tv, you still have to have the right equipment I think but Mannix is shown on Icons and Heroes, the tv channel. Enjoyable drama.

[EasyAce]

On regular tv, you still have to have the right equipment I think but Mannix is shown on Icons and Heroes, the tv channel. Enjoyable drama.

Or, if someone's a huge fan with a little extra dough to spend, you can get the complete series on DVD
for $75.

[Smokin Joe]

He was great as Caligula in I Claudius.

And he scared the pants off me in Alien.

I don't know why he never got a knighthood.

RIP

It might please you to know he was Knighted in 2015.

[Wingnut]

LOL. I hear ya. My first real pick up car was a brand new '85 Delta 88 Royale Brougham coupe that was silver with a velor burgundy interior I ordered. Had power everything and a digital cassette player. Previous to that I drove $500 garbage.

@Frank Cannon   That was a pimpin machine.  But a real dog if you had run from a mad trick with that Corporate GM Motor with the funny E4ME Quadrajet.

[Frank Cannon]

@Frank Cannon   That was a pimpin machine.  But a real dog if you had run from a mad trick with that Corporate GM Motor with the funny E4ME Quadrajet.

That Olds was a slug. Those 307's put out so little power that I was almost T-boned a couple times. One of my buddies in the corporate office had a Crown Vic with the newly refined FI system on the 302's that would take my ass off the line every time. At least the Delta was nicer looking.

[Gefn]

It might please you to know he was Knighted in 2015.

It does. Thank you so much. @Smokin Joe
He really deserved it.

[EasyAce]

Asia Co-Founder, King Crimson Member John Wetton Dead at 67

An excellent bassist/vocalist/songwriter, felled by colon cancer.

My two favourite performances by him:


King Crimson, "Starless"


Asia, "Sole Survivor"

[Gefn]

Dang, Asia is one of my favorite bands from the 80s.

[dfwgator]

 Hasn't been a good last few months for King Crimson fans, with Greg Lake passing just a few months ago.

[EasyAce]

Dang, Asia is one of my favorite bands from the 80s.

I liked their first album. But I loved the King Crimson in which Wetton played. Crimson
in the early to mid 1970s had such an unstable lineup (you could win bets asking people to
guess the members who stayed for more than one full album) that, when the lineup featuring
Robert Fripp (guitar, mellotron), David Cross (violin, viola, mellotron), John Wetton (bass,
vocals), and Bill Bruford (drums) lasted two albums (officially, they were a trio down to
Fripp, Wetton, and Bruford for Red, but Cross appeared on the album--and co-composed
two thirds of the material---as did a number of Crimson alumni; at the time, it was thought the
band was going out in a blaze of glory with that jewel of an album---nobody knew Fripp would
reform the group with yet another lineup and an entirely new approach centered on interlocking
guitars by the 1980s), there were those clamoring to put it in the Guinness Book of World
Records.

[Wingnut]

Dang, Asia is one of my favorite bands from the 80s.

Loved em!. 

[TomSea]

Local Firefighter Sara Thomas Loses Battle With Cancer
Posted Jan 31, 2017 4:02 PM CST
Updated Jan 31, 2017 4:32 PM CST
 
By KMIR News Staff

Sara Thomas, a 41-year-old CAL FIRE Firefighter passed away early this morning; January 31, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sara was surrounded by her loving family; including her husband Isaac and her twin daughter’s Olivia and Mirna at her Desert Hot Springs home when she passed. Sara was an amazing warrior, and she fought to the very end. She is survived by her husband, and daughters, and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Continued: http://www.kmir.com/story/34392690/local-firefighter-sara-thomas-loses-battle-with-cancer

[Cripplecreek]

Thank God it looks like we're finally reaching the end of the probate fight over my mom's estate with her estranged husband and the only thing he gets is a 10 year old Ford Taurus which is pretty good for us in a state that says he gets at least a 3rd of the total.

He snagged the car the morning after my mom died and my lawyer reported it stolen from the estate. Te idiot was given the choice of returning the car or signing off on the estate but because he's a drug addict he no longer has the car. Apparently he decided that he didn't want to explain why he can't produce the car and his lawyer knew he wasn't going to get paid.

This evening we got the call that our attorney had the signed paper in hand and all my sisters and I need to do is sign it ourselves.

I knew I would like our attorney (Ryan Phillips) from the minute I walked into his office and saw a floor to ceiling picture of Ronald Reagan laughing.

[TomSea]

That whole "Lark's Tongue In Aspic" for me, is a landmark album, one that I have pursued through the years because it is so unique; Wetton sang vocals on that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larks%27_Tongues_in_Aspic


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muS7v7p73y4&index=3&list=PL94gOvpr5yt2u3ORmaSuvFp6Hg3DV8V3k

And I appreciated "Starless and Bible Black" (The Night watch)  and then, the live album "USA".  Both with Wetton it, everyone knows the first album and the following "Wake of Poseidon" is okay but I really liked that lineup, on "Red" as well, which is hailed by many.

[EasyAce]

That whole "Lark's Tongue In Aspic" for me, is a landmark album, one that I have pursued through the years because it is so unique; Wetton sang vocals on that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larks%27_Tongues_in_Aspic


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muS7v7p73y4&index=3&list=PL94gOvpr5yt2u3ORmaSuvFp6Hg3DV8V3k

And I appreciated "Starless and Bible Black" (The Night watch)  and then, the live album "USA".  Both with Wetton it, everyone knows the first album and the following "Wake of Poseidon" is okay but I really liked that lineup, on "Red" as well, which is hailed by many.

I saw the meat of the Lark's Tongues in Aspic lineup live in New York in 1974 (Jaime Muir, the
percussionist, had left the band), before they made Red. They were a remarkable live band,
even if you wondered just how much in the way of nerves was involved in their carrying two
mellotrons with them for live performances. (For those who don't remember: Crimson in those years
depended on the instrument enough that at least two in the lineup---in the case of the Larks-
era band, it would be guitarist Robert Fripp plus violinist David Cross---played the instrument.)

[TomSea]

I saw the meat of the Lark's Tongues in Aspic lineup live in New York in 1974 (Jaime Muir, the
percussionist, had left the band), before they made Red. They were a remarkable live band,
even if you wondered just how much in the way of nerves was involved in their carrying two
mellotrons with them for live performances. (For those who don't remember: Crimson in those years
depended on the instrument enough that at least two in the lineup---in the case of the Larks-
era band, it would be guitarist Robert Fripp plus violinist David Cross---played the instrument.)

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[Machiavelli]

Gervase de Peyer

We have been informed by close friends of the death of Gervase de Peyer, the foremost British clarinet player of his time. Gervase was 90.

A founder of the Melos Ensemble, with whom he recorded extensively, Gervase was principal clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1956 to 1973. He was also a founder of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and an influential teacher.

More

Wikipedia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVxj2YQuJ0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39DlB4jv1w4

[Cyber Liberty]

Bump to get this topic in my "New Replies" page....

[jmyrlefuller]

Comic “Professor” Irwin Corey dies at 102



Corey was a comic that was fairly popular through the mid-20th century. His best-known schtick was “The World's Foremost Authority,” a satire of university professors and scientific jargon; he would invariably begin each of his monologues with "However," followed by a string of buzzwords and digressions that ended up making his entire speech nonsense.

He appeared only occasionally on film and television; he might have been more popular had it not been for his open support of communism, which put him on a Hollywood blacklist, the effects of which Corey claimed cost him work well through the 1980s. He was still at least politically active as recently as 2016, when he endorsed Bernie Sanders.

Corey died in New York City of natural causes. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years in 2011.

Obituary from the Washington Post

Wikipedia

Corey in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxtN0xxzfsw

[jmyrlefuller]

Actor Richard Hatch, of Battlestar Galactica fame, dies at 71



In his mid-20s, Hatch landed his first acting role on the brand-new soap opera All My Children. After a few recurring roles, at the ripe old age of 33 Hatch had emerged as a teen idol. It was then, in 1978, when he landed his most famous role, that of Commander Apollo on the cult sci-fi classic Battlestar Galactica.

His acting career slowly dwindled in the 1980s, and in the late 1990s, Hatch tried to pitch a revival/continuation of Battlestar Galactica, only to get rejected by rightsholder Universal Pictures, who decided to make a remake instead. Initially very bitter over the rejection, Hatch eventually befriended the producer of the new series, who gave him a recurring role, that of antihero demagogue Tom Zarek.

Hatch died of pancreatic cancer.

Obituary from New York Daily News

Wikipedia

[montanajoe]

Comic “Professor” Irwin Corey dies at 102



Corey was a comic that was fairly popular through the mid-20th century. His best-known schtick was “The World's Foremost Authority,” a satire of university professors and scientific jargon; he would invariably begin each of his monologues with "However," followed by a string of buzzwords and digressions that ended up making his entire speech nonsense.

He appeared only occasionally on film and television; he might have been more popular had it not been for his open support of communism, which put him on a Hollywood blacklist, the effects of which Corey claimed cost him work well through the 1980s. He was still at least politically active as recently as 2016, when he endorsed Bernie Sanders.

Corey died in New York City of natural causes. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years in 2011.

Obituary from the Washington Post

Wikipedia

Corey in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxtN0xxzfsw

He was indistinguishable from more than a few of the prof's I had as an undergraduate. For me his humor was to close to real life to be belly laugh funny but I always kinda liked him anyway RIP

[Free Vulcan]

Just finished watching the Galactica series reboot a couple of weeks ago. Hatch was great in both of them.

[Applewood]

I remember Professor Corey on a number of shows, including a daytime talk show hosted by Mike Douglas.  I didn't realize Corey was still around.  Making it to 100 plus is an accomplishment.  Didn't know he was a supporter of communism.  Doesn't matter now.  May God rest his soul and give comfort to his family.  Corey was funny.

[EasyAce]

Little Caesar's founder and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch dies . . .

Mike Ilitch, owner of Tigers and Red Wings, dies at age 87

[corbe]

Billionaire Little Caesars Pizza founder, sportsman Mike Ilitch has died at 87



Danielle Salisbury | Danielle_Salisbury@mlive.com By  Danielle Salisbury | Danielle_Salisbury@mlive.com   
on February 10, 2017 at 7:15 PM, updated February 10, 2017 at 8:09 PM

 DETROIT, MI - Little Caesars Pizza founder Mike Ilitch, the billionaire sportsman and champion for Detroit, died Friday at an area hospital.

He was 87.

"My father was a once-in-a-generation entrepreneur, visionary and leader, setting the tone for our organization and our family," his son and Ilitch Holdings Inc. President and CEO Christopher Ilitch said in a statement. "He made such a positive impact in the world of sports, in business and in the community, and we will remember him for his unwavering commitment to his employees, his passion for Detroit, his generosity to others and his devotion to his family and friends."

Ilitch was a long-time owner of both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers.


<..snip..>
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2017/02/billionaire_little_caesars_piz.html

[Cripplecreek]

Tragic news out of Detroit, as the owner of the Tigers and Red Wings--Mike Ilitch--has passed away at the elderly age of 87.

Ilitch bought the Red Wings in 1982, and the Tigers ten years later. The legendary owner gained his fortune via the Little Caesars Pizza chain.

Under his ownership, the Red Wings put together the most successful streak in NHL history--making the playoffs every year since 1993. Meanwhile, the Tigers managed to claw their way back from mediocrity and have won the American League twice since 2006.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/breaking-legendary-tigers-owner-mike-ilitch-passes-away/ar-AAmOR4d?OCID=ansmsnnews11

[TomSea]

My condolences.

[Machiavelli]

Chavo Guerrero Sr. dies of liver cancer (great professional wrestler)

Chavo Guerrero Jr. announced today that his father, Chavo Guerrero Sr. -- or Chavo Classic as he was known as in WWE while accompanying his son to the ring -- died from liver cancer on February 11. He was 68.

"As believer in Christ Jesus, he is now in Paradise. Today is a Sad day in the Guerrero Family," wrote Guerrero Jr. in an Instagram post.

Guerrero Sr. had been diagnosed with liver cancer in early January.

More

Chavo Guerrero Sr. Has Passed Away At Age 68 (with several videos)

Wikipedia

[jmyrlefuller]

Basketball player Fab Melo dies at 26



Melo, a native of Brazil, first rose to fame at Syracuse University, where he was a major factor in the Orange's NCAA tournament runs in 2011 and 2012. It soon emerged, however, that Melo, whose native language is Portugese, spoke almost no English, and that Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim had forged essays in Melo's name to keep him eligible.

Melo briefly played in the NBA, where he was a major bust, playing only 6 games and seeing only 6 minutes per game in those contests. He had returned to Brazil in 2014 to continue his playing career and died in his sleep of unknown causes February 12, 2017.

Obituary from ESPN

Wikipedia

[jmyrlefuller]

Jazz-pop singer Al Jarreau dies at 76



Jarreau was a vocal rehabilitation specialist by trade who pursued music as a side hobby beginning in 1967. That side hobby turned into a career of its own in the 1970s and 1980s, with Jarreau charting several hits a year on Billboard's R&B charts and a few hits on the Hot 100 as well. He continued to perform until shortly before his death from what was attributed to exhaustion.

Death notice from TMZ

Wikipedia

Jarreau's "We're in This Love Together," his biggest hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otVH5cv9z1A

[Applewood]

Not familiar with college hoops, but it's sad to see such a young man pass at only 26.  RIP.

Al Jarreau I do remember.  Loved his voice.  We're In This Love Together was one of my favorite songs.  RIP.

[TomSea]

Quentin Moses and others die in housefire in Georgia, he was a former NFL, UGA player.
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2017-02-12/former-cedar-shoals-uga-football-player-quentin-moses-dies-trying-save-woman

Then, 

Football player, Jeremy Geathers, stuck and killed by a Limo in Las Vegas,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Geathers#Orlando_Predators

Geathers was the son of former NFL defensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl winner James 'Jumpy' Geathers and the cousin of current Indianapolis Colts safety Clayton Geathers.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4219794/Ex-Orlando-Predators-player-struck-killed-limo.html#ixzz4YasnQZls
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[verga]

Jazz-pop singer Al Jarreau dies at 76



Jarreau was a vocal rehabilitation specialist by trade who pursued music as a side hobby beginning in 1967. That side hobby turned into a career of its own in the 1970s and 1980s, with Jarreau charting several hits a year on Billboard's R&B charts and a few hits on the Hot 100 as well. He continued to perform until shortly before his death from what was attributed to exhaustion.

Death notice from TMZ

Wikipedia

Jarreau's "We're in This Love Together," his biggest hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otVH5cv9z1A

I liked the theme from "Moonlighting " better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFiu0L7zJX8

[Smokin Joe]

This happened a while back, but I thought this man deserved recognition here.
Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, Ia Drang battle commander, dies at 94



By BEN WRIGHT | Columbus Ledger-Enquirer | Published: February 11, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ga. (Tribune News Service) — Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, the commander at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965 that led him to co-author the book, “We Were Soldiers Once, and Young,” died Friday at his home in Auburn, Ala. He was 94.

More at the link...
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/retired-lt-gen-hal-moore-ia-drang-battle-commander-dies-at-94-1.453672