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.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Jake McNiece
Warrior -- via theworld.org. D-Day paratrooper who famously Mohawked himself and his men, specialists who dubbed themselves "The Filthy Thirteen."
Larry Selman
Activist -- via the Boston Globe. A disabled man who lived independently, he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for others and for causes not related to himself. Immortalized in the 2002 documentary film "The Collector of Bedford Street."
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
John Kerr
Actor and lawyer -- via the New York Times. He won a Tony for "Tea and Sympathy," then reprised the role on film. After a few films and a bunch of TV, he left performing and had a good life as a lawyer. Best remembered for his "Tea" role, as Joe Cable in "South Pacific," and as the juvie lead in Corman's "Pit and the Pendulum."
Friday, February 8, 2013
Donald Byrd aka Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II
Jazz master -- via the Huffington Post. One of the key trumpeters of the hard-bop and post-bop era. He played with Lionel Hampton while still in high school; his first big gig was the intimidating task of replacing Clifford Brown in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He could do jazz, funk, and soul; he taught for decades as well, churning out generations of talented students. A real force, and a beautiful tone!
Oscar death reel controversy
Who will remember you, when, and how? In this case, an obituary roll is being hotly disputed -- via the New York Times.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Paul Tanner
Trombonist and inventor of the electrotheremin -- via the L.A. Times. Glenn Miller Orchestra member; the man who played the electrotheremin on Beach Boys' recordings.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Richard III aka Richard Plantagenet
Monarch -- via the BBC. This belated obituary is due to the fact that, although he died on August 22, 1485, his bones were only recently discovered, and confirmed to be his yesterday. Painted by popular culture, and the winning faction, as an unrepentant villain, he acheived immortality as the inspiration for one of Shakespeare's best-written and most compelling bad guys. If this helps anyone enjoy the Bard, it's well worth the ruckus.
"Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;
For now he lives in fame, though not in life."
"Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;
For now he lives in fame, though not in life."
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