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, October 17, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Louis H. Murillo
Louis Murillo at far left, Karl Wallenda, Jennie Wallenda, Andy Anderson. |
Murillo was a survivor of one of the deadliest tragedies in aerialist history. On January 30, 1962, they attempted a seven-person pyramid on the high wire. The lead man slipped and the performers fell; two were killed and a third was paralyzed for life.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Elizabeth Pena
Actress -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Best known for her work in films such as "Jacob's Ladder," "Lone Star," and "The Incredibles."
Marie Dubois
Actress -- via Le Monde. AKA Caludine Lucie Pauline Huze. One of my heartthrobs, she was the beautiful and loving waitress Lena in Truffaut's "Shoot the Piano Player." Won a Cesar for her work "La Menace," and did much supporting work.
Gary McLarty
Stunt man, actor, and stunt coordinator -- via deadline.com. AKA "Whiz Kid." Killed in a car accident with his old friend and fellow stunt man Bob Orrison. He was in just about everything -- he rode the motorcycle up the stairs in "Animal House," he doubled for Fonzie on "Happy Days."
McLarty figured prominently in two Hollywood tragedies. First, he was Vic Morrow's stunt double in "Twilight Zone: The Movie," and was in the helicopter when it crashed during filming on June 23, 1982, killing Morrow and two child actors. McCarty asserted he warned director John Landis that the stunt was too dangerous to perform.
Second, he testified during the trial of actor Robert Blake for the 2001 murder of his wife, claiming that Blake offered him $10,000 to do the job.
McLarty figured prominently in two Hollywood tragedies. First, he was Vic Morrow's stunt double in "Twilight Zone: The Movie," and was in the helicopter when it crashed during filming on June 23, 1982, killing Morrow and two child actors. McCarty asserted he warned director John Landis that the stunt was too dangerous to perform.
Second, he testified during the trial of actor Robert Blake for the 2001 murder of his wife, claiming that Blake offered him $10,000 to do the job.
Bob Orrison
Howard Cocks Dickinson IV
Former state legislator; perhaps the most exuberant obituary penned since Rabelais walked the earth -- via the Conway Daily Sun. It is currently fourth from the top of the page; it bears repeating in full below.
Howard Cocks Dickinson IV, aka Crow, King of The Hill, and
"Uncle Foof" crossed over to the other side at 4:20 AM on October 8,
2014, as stormy skies covered up the eclipse of the full blood moon and the
North winds swept in to carry his spirit away from his home on Baird Hill. He
walked through heaven's gate "prick first," just as he would have
wanted.
Born in Schenectady N.Y., January 29, 1936 to Cynthia Potter
Read and Howard C. Dickinson, Jr. Crow grew up at Peach's Point in Marblehead,
Mass., and from there went on to St. Paul's School, Harvard University '58, and
Yale Forestry School.
In 1967 Crow bought his farm on Baird Hill Road in Center
Conway, N.H. where he spent the rest of his life. Crow is survived by three
children (that we know of) James Russell Dickinson, Alexander Solely Dickinson,
and Anne Staveley, six grandchildren Cree, Taylor, Nathaniel "Tait",
Eric, Cypress, and Howard "Jack," and by his brother Read Dickinson.
He was pre-deceased by his beloved dog and faithful last companion Tia, among
many other adored Jack Russells.
Crow was very proud to have dedicated his life to public
service and helping those in his community. He served in the Navy, spent 32
years as a N.H. State Representative, served many years as a selectman for the
Town of Conway, and was a member multiple local boards and committees. In his
lengthy political career Crow touched the lives of many many people. A few of
his accomplishments that he was most proud of were the "Ski Area Liability
Law," creating "The Board of Midwifery," "The Current-Use
law" and the new "Moose Lottery."
In his younger days, Crow was an adventure traveler who
sailed in the Newport-Bermuda Race; rowed at the Henley Regatta in England; fly
fished in Iceland, Argentina as well as throughout New England. He hunted in
Italy, England, Austria, South America and throughout the Northeast.
Crow was a lover of hunting, fishing, food, the woods, women,
politics, dogs, guns,porn, and last but not least, himself. He was The Master
teacher of knife sharpening, iron pan cleaning, lawn mowing, gun cleaning,
cooking roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, making "dredge,"
double-buttered toast, turning off lights, closing windows, sharpening chain
saws ... and much much more!
As he begins his new journey we wish him: Fair Winds &
Following Seas, Tight Loops & Fish On, Sharp Knives & Good Food, Steady
Points & Crossing Shots, A Sharp Saw & Sound Wood, Voice Votes with
Unanimous Consent & Bipartisanship, and a room full of women with an open
bar!
Services will be held 2 p.m. on November 1, 2014 at the
Salyard Center for the Arts in Conway Village, N.H. Please bring your favorite
written story, memory or photograph to post and share on a wall created in his
memory. No flowers please, instead plant a chestnut tree.
Lesson to be learned: be nice to your children, because they
are the ones who hold your hand when you are dying and write your obituary ;)
Fred Branfman
Educational advisor who discovered and reported that the U.S. was bombing Laos -- via the Telegraph. He later became an advisor and writer on political topics.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Isaac "Ike" Jones
Film producer -- via the L.A. Times. His marriage to white actress Inger Stevens was kept secret by them.
WEEKLY READER: International roundup of stories on death, dying, mourning, and more
TOP STORIES
John
Cleese looks forward to death – via Abid Rahman at the Hollywood Reporter
A
few steps from death: life in an Ebola clinic – via Sheri Fink in the New
York Times
DEATH
What
does a manager do when an employee dies? – from Ann Belser at the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Consciousness
after death – new scientific study – via Sarah Knapton at the Telegraph
Some
wish to preserve their tattoos after their deaths – from Martha Bebinger on
NPR
MOURNING
Via Confessions of a Funeral Director – What
being a funeral photographer is all about, by John Slaytor
“Why
I Commemorate the Anniversary of my Father’s Death on Social Media” – by Jackie
Oshry on the Huffington Post
Laughing
to keep from crying – from Sarah Rosenblum on Slate
Mourning
before and after Facebook – by Jenny Chang on shizznat.com
FUNERALS
How
to handle funeral costs – by Susan Johnston at U.S. News and World Report
Funeral
director accused of mishandling remains, and funeral funds – via Roberto
Scalese at boston.com
OBITUARIES
Director
Vanessa Gould working on new documentary film about obit writing – by Michelle
Young on Untapped Cities
END-OF-LIFE
Dying
woman chooses to end her life Nov. 1 – via CBS News
HUMOR
“North
Korean Populace Already Mentally Preparing For Whatever Insane Bullshit They’ll
Have To Do For Kim Jong-Un Funeral” – via The Onion
Monday, October 13, 2014
Bill Vielehr
Sculptor -- via Westword. A Boulder fixture for decades, Bill gained a huge reputation as a artist, displayed round the world. He crafted his sculptures and art in his little studio up at the end of Pearl Street. I got to know him through his volunteer work for the Boulder International Film Festival, especially for the award statuettes he made for the festival. He was a fun guy, and he liked to party. He was always very nice to us, happy to say hi and chat. A good, good guy! We will miss him.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Stanley Chase
Producer for stage, film and TV -- via the L.A. Times. As a student at NYU, he mounted the first significant English-language production of Brecht and Weill's "The Threepenny Opera" in 1954; in film, he produced the sci-fi classic "Colossus: The Forbin Project."
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