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.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The 'Salon of Death'
Elizabeth Pineau of Reuters describes an exhibit at the Louvre that illuminates the workings of the funeral industry.
Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah
Religious leader -- via inewsone.com. He opposed violence, and was killed violently.
Mac McGann aka Michael McGann
This amazing portrait was shot by Branka Jukic. |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Selwyn Goldsmith
Architect who focused on the concerns of the disabled -- via the Telegraph. He also worked hard to increase the ratio of public restrooms for women!
Obituary Cliches -- A Compendium
Here's a lovely post from David Wheeler on his "Deadline Diaries" blog -- Jade Walker of the New York Times shared the Society of Professional Obituary Writers' top five obit-writing tips, as well as the top 30 obituary cliches (to be avoided, of course!).
Here are the odious phrases that can stink up an otherwise well-written memorialization:
"1. She touched many lives.
2. He was my knight in shining armor.
3. He lived life/enjoyed each day to the fullest.
4. He never met a stranger/never knew a stranger/never met anyone he didn't like.
5. He'll be remembered for his smile/He brightened a room with his smile.
6. He only saw the best in people.
7. He had a twinkle in his eye.
8. Her children were the most important thing to her/She lived for her family.
9. He was a people person.
10. She loved her grandchildren.
11. He was a jack-of-all-trades.
12. She was a consummate entertainer.
13. He was a man's man.
14. His true love was his family.
15. He was an icon.
16. There will never be another like him.
17. She was always learning new things/Her curiosity knew no bounds.
18. He was a world traveler.
19. She was a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks.
20. He was just getting his life together/She was turning her life around.
21. She was a role model for all of us.
22. He didn't talk much about himself.
23. He wasn't a churchgoer, but he was a very religious man.
24. They were married in their hearts.
25. Their marriage had a few bumps in the road.
26. He died peacefully with his family at his side.
27. She engaged us all with her witty conversation.
28. He left this life with no regrets.
29. She was a natural born teacher.
30. He would have wanted it that way."
Here are the odious phrases that can stink up an otherwise well-written memorialization:
"1. She touched many lives.
2. He was my knight in shining armor.
3. He lived life/enjoyed each day to the fullest.
4. He never met a stranger/never knew a stranger/never met anyone he didn't like.
5. He'll be remembered for his smile/He brightened a room with his smile.
6. He only saw the best in people.
7. He had a twinkle in his eye.
8. Her children were the most important thing to her/She lived for her family.
9. He was a people person.
10. She loved her grandchildren.
11. He was a jack-of-all-trades.
12. She was a consummate entertainer.
13. He was a man's man.
14. His true love was his family.
15. He was an icon.
16. There will never be another like him.
17. She was always learning new things/Her curiosity knew no bounds.
18. He was a world traveler.
19. She was a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks.
20. He was just getting his life together/She was turning her life around.
21. She was a role model for all of us.
22. He didn't talk much about himself.
23. He wasn't a churchgoer, but he was a very religious man.
24. They were married in their hearts.
25. Their marriage had a few bumps in the road.
26. He died peacefully with his family at his side.
27. She engaged us all with her witty conversation.
28. He left this life with no regrets.
29. She was a natural born teacher.
30. He would have wanted it that way."
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
John Jarvis
Film editor with a sure comic touch -- via the Guardian. He worked on Jones and Palin's brilliant "Ripping Yarns" TV series.
Bill Varney
Oscar-winning sound mixer -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He was amazing -- additionally, he worked with Walter Murch to restore the definitive cut of Orson Welles' "Touch of Evil."
Thoger Birkeland
Writer -- via the Dagbladet. One of his many awards was Den danske boghandlermedhjælperforenings børnebogspris -- which sounds mighty impressive.
Vicki Scarlett
"Librarian, socialist, feminist, yoga teacher and campaigner for social justice" -- via Organized Rage and the Guardian. She also volunteered at the Globe Theatre.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Jamyang Jinpa
Buddhist monk -- via AFP. It is alleged that he died as a long-term result of being severely tortured after being arrested for protesting Chinese violations of Tibetan human rights in 2008.
Mandi Schwartz
Hockey player -- via Yahoo Sports. Her struggle with leukemia inspired thousands to register as bone marrow donors.
Dennis Maitland
Sound mixer and engineer -- via the Hollywood Reporter. He pioneered the use of both wireless mics and EQ in film sound production.
Thomas Anthony Starr aka the Duke of Broadway
Restaurateur and firefighter -- via the Winnipeg Free Press.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Iakovos Kambanellis
Playwright and screenwriter -- via the Guardian. His poetic cycle "Mauthausen" memorializes his suffering in a German concentration camp in World War II -- a non-Jew himself, he stayed until the last Jew could leave it.
Tom Silverio aka Tomás Roberto Silverio Veloz
Outfielder for the California Angels -- via almomento.net.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Ulli Beier
Editor, writer and scholar - via the Nigerian Times. He helped to publicize and promote the cultures of both Nigeria and Papua New Guinea.
Claude Stanush
Journalist, writer and screenwriter -- via the San Antonio Express. One of his stories for Life magazine inspired the film "The Lusty Men"; many years later, he wrote the screenplay for "The Newton Boys." Given the number of affectionate tributes to him, he did a lot of good and affected many lives in a positive manner!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Stanley Bogdan
Craftsman -- via the Nashua Telegraph. For decades, he hand-created the finest fly-fishing reels in the world.
Paul Baxley
Stuntman, stunt coordinator and director -- via Memory Alpha. He worked extensively in such TV series as "Star Trek," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and many others; prior to that, he worked on dozens of feature films.
Dino Anagnost
Conductor and music director of the Little Orchestra Society of New York -- via Theater Mania.
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