Obituaries for 2021

[Gefn]

Bernie Madoff, mastermind of the nation’s biggest investment fraud, dies at 82, AP reports

Infamous fraudster Bernie Madoff has died at age 82, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Madoff masterminded the biggest investment fraud in U.S. history, a Ponzi scheme that ripped off tens of thousands of people of as much as $65 billion.

Madoff was serving a 150-year sentence at the federal prison care center in Butner, North Carolina, where he was being treated for what his attorney called terminal kidney disease.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/14/bernie-madoff-dies-mastermind-of-the-nations-biggest-investment-fraud-was-82.html

[Gefn]

Bernie Madoff, mastermind of the nation’s biggest investment fraud, dies at 82, AP reports



https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/14/bernie-madoff-dies-mastermind-of-the-nations-biggest-investment-fraud-was-82.html

I wish I could say what I’m thinking but it’s very unladylike.

[Bigun]

I wish I could say what I’m thinking but it’s very unladylike.

Let me try @Gefn

Sentenced to 150 years in prison for doing what the fedgov does to millions every day!   

[Hoodat]

If Bernie Madoff had been put in charge of the Social Security Administration, he would have died a free man.

[Hoodat]

I wish I could say what I’m thinking but it’s very unladylike.

It's his investors that I have an issue with.  They handed their money over to him with the full expectation that he had insider information which would cause their investments to grow faster than us regular folks.  But when the ponzi scheme was exposed, they demanded a bailout from us taxpayers.

[Bigun]

If Bernie Madoff had been put in charge of the Social Security Administration, he would have died a free man.

 

[sneakypete]

Let me try @Gefn

Sentenced to 150 years in prison for doing what the fedgov does to millions every day!   

@Bigun

We all know leftist goobermints hate competition.

[sneakypete]

It's his investors that I have an issue with.  They handed their money over to him with the full expectation that he had insider information which would cause their investments to grow faster than us regular folks.  But when the ponzi scheme was exposed, they demanded a bailout from us taxpayers.

@Hoodat

Well,you know the old saying that states "You can't cheat an honest man unless you are the goobermint!"

It still applies.

[Wingnut]

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and Poco co-founder, Rusty Young, passed away yesterday (April 14) from a heart attack at his home in Davisville, Missouri. He was 75.

Young’s representative’s confirmed the news in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Poco co-founder, Rusty Young, at the age of 75,” the statement read. “Young suffered a heart attack last night. A beloved member of the Blue Élan Records family, Young was best known as the heart and soul of Poco – the band widely considered to be one of the founders of the classic Southern California country rock sound. Young was an integral member of the band throughout their influential six decade career.”

“Rusty was the most unpretentious, caring and idyllic artist I have ever worked with, a natural life force that he consistently poured into his music,” added Rick Alter, Poco and Rusty’s manager of more than 20 years, “To fans and fellow musicians alike, he was a once-in-a-lifetime musician, songwriter, performer and friend.”



https://americansongwriter.com/poco-co-founder-rusty-young-suffers-fatal-heart-attack-at-75/

[jmyrlefuller]

Felix Silla, dwarf actor, dies at 84. Notable roles included an Ewok in the original Star Wars trilogy and Cousin It in The Addams Family.
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/felix-silla-dead-cousin-itt-addams-family-1234953729/

[sneakypete]

Felix Silla, dwarf actor, dies at 84. Notable roles included an Ewok in the original Star Wars trilogy and Cousin It in The Addams Family.
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/felix-silla-dead-cousin-itt-addams-family-1234953729/

@jmyrlefuller

Dies at 84????

YIKES! Isn't it practically unheard of for dwarfs to live that long?

[DCPatriot]

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni63266783

Helen McCrory, star of Peaky Blinders (Polly) died today at the age of 52.

[sneakypete]

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni63266783

Helen McCrory, star of Peaky Blinders (Polly) died today at the age of 52.

 

@DCPatriot

OUCH! That one hurts. Kinda had the hots for her,plus she was a GREAT actress. LOVED Peaky Blinders,and loved her as Polly.

[Gefn]

Felix Silla, dwarf actor, dies at 84. Notable roles included an Ewok in the original Star Wars trilogy and Cousin It in The Addams Family.
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/felix-silla-dead-cousin-itt-addams-family-1234953729/

Rest In Peace Cousin It. My favorite hairy  gentleman, with cool shades.

[Smokin Joe]

Felix Silla, dwarf actor, dies at 84. Notable roles included an Ewok in the original Star Wars trilogy and Cousin It in The Addams Family.
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/felix-silla-dead-cousin-itt-addams-family-1234953729/

Wow! A long life...and Cousin It was a favorite of all of us when we were kids. RIP, sir, and thanks for the entertainment.

[jmyrlefuller]

@jmyrlefuller

Dies at 84????

YIKES! Isn't it practically unheard of for dwarfs to live that long?

It's rare, but not totally unheard of. There are a lot of dwarfs who die young due to a lot of health issues that come with being that short, but there have been a few that went on to live healthy lives into old age.

Billy Barty made it to 76, and a few of the Munchkins (among them Jerry Maren) made it well into their 90s.

[sneakypete]

It's rare, but not totally unheard of. There are a lot of dwarfs who die young due to a lot of health issues that come with being that short, but there have been a few that went on to live healthy lives into old age.

Billy Barty made it to 76, and Jerry Maren (of Munchkin fame) survived all the way to 98.

@jmyrlefuller

Thanks for the updates. I didn't know that.

[jmyrlefuller]

Alma Wahlberg, matriarch of the Wahlberg family, dies at 78

Wahlberg was the mother of nine children, three of whom would become famous: Paul Wahlberg became a prominent chef and namesake of the Wahlburgers fast-food restaurant; while Donnie and Mark earned their name in the late 1980s/early 1990s pop music scene as members of New Kids on the Block and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch respectively. Donnie, Mark and their brother Robert also eventually became actors.

https://people.com/music/alma-wahlberg-dead-at-78/

[Gefn]

'She was a pillar' | Hester Ford, oldest living American, has died at 116

Hester Ford had 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hester Ford, who was the oldest living American, died at 116 surrounded by her loved ones at home, according to her family members.

"It's a sad day but it's also a great day in heaven," her great-grandaughter Tanisha Patterson-Powe said. "Although we’re saddened by it, we take great pride in the legacy that she does leave behind."

Ford lived in the same home in Charlotte for more than 58 years. She had 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.

https://www.khou.com/article/features/producers-picks/hester-ford-dies-at-116/275-fec0a906-3788-4199-b3d8-11d85f73bd03

[Gefn]

'She was a pillar' | Hester Ford, oldest living American, has died at 116

Hester Ford had 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.



https://www.khou.com/article/features/producers-picks/hester-ford-dies-at-116/275-fec0a906-3788-4199-b3d8-11d85f73bd03

116 is a hella long time. I bet she had some wonderful stories

[sneakypete]

'She was a pillar' | Hester Ford, oldest living American, has died at 116

Hester Ford had 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.



https://www.khou.com/article/features/producers-picks/hester-ford-dies-at-116/275-fec0a906-3788-4199-b3d8-11d85f73bd03

Of course she did.

I have no doubt welfare paid for all of them,as well as provided her with an income.

[Gefn]

Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at 93

Walter Mondale, who transformed the role of U.S. vice president while serving under Jimmy Carter and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984, died Monday at 93, according to a family spokesperson.

The big picture: President Biden, who was mentored by Mondale through the years, said in 2015 that the former vice president gave him a "roadmap" to successfully take on the job.

He was the first vice president to have an office in the White House and was deeply engaged in both U.S. and foreign policy, working closely with the president.
"I took Fritz's roadmap. He actually gave me a memo, classic Fritz, gave me a memo, as to what I should be looking for and what kind of commitments I should get to be able to do the job the way Fritz thought it should be done," Biden said at an event honoring Mondale in 2015.

https://www.axios.com/walter-mondale-dies-vice-president-f8b5bfaf-bec1-44c5-8120-811c6f1a664b.html

[Gefn]

Interesting trivia

Mondale and Carter were the longest-living post-presidential team in U.S. history.


In case anyone is trying out for “Jeopardy”

[Hoodat]

He was the first vice president to have an office in the White House and was deeply engaged in both U.S. and foreign policy, working closely with the president.
"I took Fritz's roadmap. He actually gave me a memo, classic Fritz, gave me a memo, as to what I should be looking for and what kind of commitments I should get to be able to do the job the way Fritz thought it should be done," Biden said at an event honoring Mondale in 2015.

What a load of horseshit!  Biden famously said that the best thing about being Vice President is that you didn't have to do anything.  Biden had no office in the White House.  Biden did absolutely nothing for eight years except to shake down Ukraine for his own family graft.  There is no way in hell Biden took Mondale's roadmap.

[skeeter]

Interesting trivia

Mondale and Carter were the longest-living post-presidential team in U.S. history.


In case anyone is trying out for “Jeopardy”

In the end it will be just Jimmy Carter and Keith Richards.

[mystery-ak]

In the end it will be just Jimmy Carter and Keith Richards.

 

[jmyrlefuller]

In the end it will be just Jimmy Carter and Keith Richards.

That's assuming they ever let Betty White die.

[Smokin Joe]

In the end it will be just Jimmy Carter and Keith Richards.

...and cockroaches....

[sneakypete]

That's assuming they ever let Betty White die.

@jmyrlefuller

I don't really care if Carter or Keef live or die,but who doesn't like Betty White?

[verga]

In the end it will be just Jimmy Carter and Keith Richards.

You forgot Betty white.

[Gefn]

You forgot Betty white.

Ah, Betty White. She’ll be 100 next year. (I just looked it up)

[PeteS in CA]

Mondull wrote the Federal law that enables anonymous malicious false reports of child abuse and protects the false reporters, https://abuse-excuse.com/laws/ . I am not sorry to see him gone, but will be charitable enough to leave it at that.

[Wingnut]

Bummer man!. I heard Jim Steinman passed.  The 1st Bat album was one of the greatest. I am glad He and Meat reconciled what ever differences they had before he passed.

[deb]

Bummer man!. I heard Jim Steinman passed.  The 1st Bat album was one of the greatest. I am glad He and Meat reconciled what ever differences they had before he passed.

NOOOOOO!!

[jmyrlefuller]

Bummer man!. I heard Jim Steinman passed.  The 1st Bat album was one of the greatest. I am glad He and Meat reconciled what ever differences they had before he passed.

There are songwriters, and then there is Jim Steinman.

Most songwriters come up with a few different musical ideas and choose which ones they think will sound the best. Jim Steinman would throw them all into one song and crank up the dynamics and dramatics to their fullest extent.

[Gefn]

Jim Steinman was the first songwriter I totally connected with. It was like he was writing his songs for me. Like he crawled around in my brain, saw who I was and wrote songs from it.

I tried to get tickets for his Broadway show back in 04, but couldn’t, something I will always feel sad about.

Rest In Peace Mr. Steinman and thank you for all your music. I’ll miss you.

[txradioguy]

R.I.P. Gregory Jacobs aka Shock G of Digital Underground.

[skeeter]

Bummer man!. I heard Jim Steinman passed.  The 1st Bat album was one of the greatest. I am glad He and Meat reconciled what ever differences they had before he passed.

Steinman put the power in ballad. Rip

I’ll admit I did find the backside of Meat’s Bat album cover a bit disturbing though.

[jmyrlefuller]

Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown dies at 65.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/23/les-mckeown-obituary

[deb]

Steinman put the power in ballad. Rip

“For Crying Out Loud” and “Heaven Can Wait” are both incredible songs.
Ah, my senior year of high school is all wrapped up in that album. Sad to hear that Steinman is gone. Thankful for the music he left behind.

[skeeter]

“For Crying Out Loud” and “Heaven Can Wait” are both incredible songs.
Ah, my senior year of high school is all wrapped up in that album. Sad to hear that Steinman is gone. Thankful for the music he left behind.

Lol mine too (that one and Boston's). He used musicians from what were my two favorite bands at the time - The E St Band and Utopia. Loved the sound they made.

[bigheadfred]

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

Pure genius.

[Cyber Liberty]

Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown dies at 65.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/23/les-mckeown-obituary

I did not know that he was so young.

[Gefn]

I did not know that he was so young.

S A TUR DAY   Night!

I had that  single. I liked it.

[jmyrlefuller]

Bob Fass
Icon of 1960s free-form radio dies at 87

Fass was the overnight personality on WBAI, the New York City station of far-left-wing Pacifica Radio. He was essentially given free rein over the time slot during his heyday in the 1960s and used that to experiment with records and to give an outlet to the city's counterculture and folk-rock scene. It was Fass who gave the big breaks to singers such as Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie and Jerry Jeff Walker. Abbie Hoffman used the show as a springboard to launch the Youth International Party, or the Yippies, who eventually caused chaos at the 1968 Democratic convention.

Fass remained, on and off, host of his overnight radio show Radio Unnameable even as WBAI increasingly apportioned its schedule to token special interest groups against Fass's vision, and through countless waves of Pacifica's constant, usually self-inflicted, internal turmoil, exactly the kind of infighting one would expect from an organization run by a bunch of ideologically driven activists. He had remained on the air approximately once a week at the time of his death.

Fass died April 24 from congestive heart failure, complicated by coronavirus.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-bob-fass-nyc-indie-radio-host-dies-20210425-d5yuhpzkivcrvkofsteqc3qfnm-story.html

Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Fass

[PeteS in CA]

Pacifica Radio is like a miniature Stalinist Russia without a Cheka or Gulag system to remove squabbling rivals. Its operations are micro-Stalin vs. micro-Trotsky vs. micro-Bukharin vs. micro-...... . Sounds like Fass was not very well suited to that kind of environment.

[Wingnut]

Steinman put the power in ballad. Rip

l admit I did find the backside of Meats Bat album cover a bit disturbing though.

LOL  I always thought the Front was disturbing!

I think I told this story before, that I had a chance meeting of Meat Loaf back in 1978 in the hallway at WLS in Chicago.  Bat was just hitting it big and he was in the studio with his entourage promoting the album with one of the DJ's.  Maybe Larry Lujack or Dick Biondi   Anyway Meat was coming down the hall a dripping with sweat and wearing his red satin jacket.  Big guy the Meat...must have been 350 then.  Anyway I had to turn sideways to let him pass  And as he went by I said "Hey Meat".  He never looked at me but I distinctively heard him grunt back at me in response!.  The members of his entourage bringing up the read just gave me the stink eye.  And me being the smartass that I was gave them the "tip of the Hat" sign and moved on down to studio's glass cage to watch the DJ do his job!.

[mountaineer]

Christa Ludwig, illustrious German opera singer and one of the world’s finest mezzo sopranos, died on Saturday, 24 April. Here is an amusing video of a squabble she had with Leonard Bernstein over the tempo of the Mahler piece they were rehearsing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f32bhICi-zI&t=162s

Story at Classic FM

Christa Ludwig, a renowned interpreter of Wagner, Mozart and Strauss who starred on the world’s great stages for four decades, died at her home in Klosterneuburg, Austria. She was 93. ...

More at MSN

[skeeter]

LOL  I always thought the Front was disturbing!

I think I told this story before, that I had a chance meeting of Meat Loaf back in 1978 in the hallway at WLS in Chicago.  Bat was just hitting it big and he was in the studio with his entourage promoting the album with one of the DJ's.  Maybe Larry Lujack or Dick Biondi   Anyway Meat was coming down the hall a dripping with sweat and wearing his red satin jacket.  Big guy the Meat...must have been 350 then.  Anyway I had to turn sideways to let him pass  And as he went by I said "Hey Meat".  He never looked at me but I distinctively heard him grunt back at me in response!.  The members of his entourage bringing up the read just gave me the stink eye.  And me being the smartass that I was gave them the "tip of the Hat" sign and moved on down to studio's glass cage to watch the DJ do his job!.

Lol. Even a grunt from Mr Loaf when he was in his prime must been pretty awesome.

[jmyrlefuller]

Pacifica Radio is like a miniature Stalinist Russia without a Cheka or Gulag system to remove squabbling rivals. Its operations are micro-Stalin vs. micro-Trotsky vs. micro-Bukharin vs. micro-...... . Sounds like Fass was not very well suited to that kind of environment.

The odd thing is, like a battered wife, Fass stayed loyal to WBAI right to the bitter end.

Back in '77, they fired him (he was a paid employee at the time and was apparently trying to start a union; that should tell you how genuine Pacifica is in regard to their stated cause). So he went across the Hudson River to WFMU. At the time, WFMU was run by Upsala College. They were in the process of transitioning from a typical college station into the same kind of freeform format Fass was using—but Fass still wanted to go back to WBAI, and in 1982, he did, even without payment.

Fass was just as much of a lefty as anyone else at Pacifica, but he knew he wasn't there for himself. He was there to give a voice to those who he thought had something to say.