Dan Crane obit

Dr. Daniel B. Crane

January 10, 1936 - May 28, 2019

 

He was not on the list.

DANVILLE - Dr. Daniel Bever Crane, 83, Danville, Ill., passed away at 5:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in North Logan Health Care Center, Danville.

Daniel was born in Chicago on January 10, 1936. He was the son of the late Dr. George W. and Cora Ellen (Miller) Crane.

He was reared in Chicago, graduating from South Shore High School. He later received his B.A. degree from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich. He went on to receive his D.D.S. degree from Indiana University. After his graduation, Daniel entered the U.S. Army as a captain and served in the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Southeast Asia. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he started a private practice in dentistry in Danville for many years, retiring in 2011.

In 1978, Daniel was elected to the House of Representatives and served as congressman for both the 19th and 22nd Districts from 1979-1985.

He was a member of Hillsboro United Methodist Church. He also was a member of American Legion Post 23 of Aurora, Colo.

On June 13, 1970, Daniel married Judy Ann VanBrunt in Hillsboro, Ind. She preceded him in death on July 16, 2012.

Daniel leaves behind six children, Nathaniel (Tracy) Crane and Joshua (Maggie) Crane, both of Danville, Kimberly (Nikolaos Johnson) Crane, Raleigh, N.C., Elizabeth (Christopher) Gulugian, Springfield, Va., Emily (Tom) Makarewicz, Marne, Mich., and Heidi Crane, Danville; four granddaughters, Sophia Ellen and Willa Sage Makarewicz, Dylan Rose Gulugian and Claire Louise Crane; a sister, Judith Ross, Downers Grove, Ill.; a brother, Dr. David G. (Joanie) Crane, Martinsville, Ind. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Crane IV and Dr. Philip Crane.

Friends may call noon EDT until service time at 2p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Hillsboro United Methodist Church, with Pastor David Inskeep and Daniel's nephew, Rev. Douglas Crane officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro, Ind.

Crane was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1978. He was re-elected in 1980 and in 1982. During his House tenure, he represented Illinois's 22nd and 19th congressional districts, respectively. According to The New York Times, in his campaigns, Crane "portrayed himself as a solid, churchgoing, family man, a conservative Republican who set himself apart from what he described as the fast-living 'Washington set'". Crane supported prayer in schools and opposed abortion rights.

On July 14, 1983, the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct recommended that Crane and Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA) be reprimanded for having engaged in sexual relationships with teenagers. Crane had engaged in sex with a 17-year-old female House page in 1980. He acknowledged the accuracy of the charges and supported his own censure. The full House voted to censure Crane on July 20, 1983. Crane was defeated for re-election in 1984 and returned to the practice of dentistry.

Levi Oakes obit

Last Remaining Akwesasne Mohawk Code Talker Dies

He was not on the list.



The last Mohawk World War II Code Talker has died.

Louis Levi Oakes, an enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk tribe, died Tuesday at the age of 94.

In June of 2016, when Mr. Oakes was the last of surviving Code Talk he, along with his former colleagues, was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal

More than 550 people squeezed into the Travis Solomon Memorial Lacrosse Box in Generations Park, to honor Mr. Oakes and his brother Code Talkers that day.

Mr. Oakes's daughter, Dora Oakes, was one of those people there that day.

Sitting in the front row, next to her father, Ms. Oakes watched as people tried to work her father for insight about his time overseas as a code talker but said he was always silent on the subject.

"'I was in the Army,' that was all he would tell us," Dora said. "'Confidential information,' he said. 'They'll kill me if I tell ya.'"

Mr. Oakes was swarmed by people looking to both pay homage for his service and seek insight into his time in the military. And though he said it was a surprise and an honor to be recognized, for a code talker, he didn't talk much.

A technician 4th Grade, with Company B, 442nd Signal Battalion, U.S. Army, Mr. Oakes said he enlisted at the age of 18 specifically to be a code talker. He served about 2 1/2 years in the Asiatic Pacific until his honorable discharge on Feb. 15, 1946.

There were only three or four other code talkers in Company B, Mr. Oakes said. He said the idea of becoming a code talker came from listening to Native Americans speaking their native tongue in the field. The Mohawk soldiers attended schools to learn the art of code talking. They learned sets of code in their language so the enemy would not understand their radio communications.

But Mr. Oakes laughed when he was asked if he could remember how many secret messages he relayed in the Mohawk tongue.

"If I can't talk it out I'll give them a smoke signal," Mr. Oakes said. "We talked about field wires in the jungles. They would give you a piece of paper to read and telling you what you were to say."

Mr. Oakes was born on the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne in 1922 and, following the onset of World War II, registered for the U.S. Army. He received his formal military training as a code talker while stationed in Louisiana, along with other Akwesasne Mohawks. He was assigned as a Technician 4th Grade with Company B's 442nd Signal Battalion in the U.S. Army.

During his six years of military service, TEC 4 Oakes saw action in the South Pacific, New Guinea and Philippines theaters in World War II.

For his exemplary service, he received the third-highest military combat decoration for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States -- The Silver Star.

Throughout World War II, Mr. Oakes's knowledge and usage of the Mohawk language was used to send communications between U.S. forces.

It was one of 33 native languages used during World War II to code important messages, which became known the world over as the only unbroken military code in history.

To recognize their role in helping the Allied Forces to be victorious, in 2008 the U.S. Congress passed the Code Talkers Recognition Act to honor every Native American Code Talker who served in the U.S. military, including Mr. Oakes.

Along with receiving the Congressional Silver Medal, Mr. Oakes received further recognition for his valor as an Akwesasne Mohawk Code Talker at the 2017 United South and Eastern Tribes Impact Week, Rochester Nighthawks Native American Night Jan. 7, 2017, the 2018 Salamanca Powwow, the 2018 Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day, 2018 Special Chiefs Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations and the Canadian House of Commons, among others.

On June 8, 2018; Mr. Oakes was presented with the New York State Liberty Medal -- the highest civilian honor bestowed by New York State upon individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements. The award follows his induction on May 15, 2018 into the New York State Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame.

Carmine Caridi obit

Disgraced ‘Godfather: Part II’ actor Carmine Caridi dead at 85

He was not on the list.


Carmine Caridi, the actor who achieved fame portraying Carmine Rosato in “The Godfather: Part II,” and then ignominy as the first member booted from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has died at the age of 85.

Caridi passed away Tuesday after lingering in a coma at a Los Angeles hospital, his reps confirmed to Variety.

“From Broadway, to film and television, Carmine spent over six decades entertaining audiences, and nothing made him happier,” said a spokesperson. “His talent, wit, warmth and charm will be missed. Carmine passed peacefully, surrounded by friends and family (Tuesday) afternoon.”

In “The Godfather: Part II,” Caridi’s character played a key role in a feud with Michael V. Gazzo’s character, Frank Pentangeli.

But in 2004, Caridi became the first person expelled from the Academy for circulating screeners — a violation of the agency’s agreement — of films vying for Oscar consideration.
Movie mogul Robert Evans claimed in his 1994 memoir “The Kid Stays in the Picture” that Caridi was Francis Ford Coppola’s first selection for the role of Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather,” but the director had a change of heart after believing Caridi was too tall for the role, which was then offered to James Caan.

In addition to guest roles on numerous series, including “NYPD Blue,” “Starsky & Hutch” and “Taxi,” Caridi had a recurring role on the 1980s series “Fame,” playing Angelo Martelli, the father of keyboard whiz Bruno Martelli, portrayed by Lee Curreri.

Actor

The Bellinis

TV Movie

 

Sinatra! Eternity (2025)

Sinatra! Eternity

Carmine

2025

 

Frank and Ava (2020)

Frank and Ava

3.4

Carmine

2020

 

Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)

Curb Your Enthusiasm

8.8

TV Series

Uncle Moke

2020

1 episode

 

Neil Flynn and Natalie Morales in Abby's (2019)

Abby's

5.3

TV Series

Kip

2019

1 episode

 

Regan Burns, Beth Littleford, Juliette Angelo, and Lil Bub in I'll Be Next Door for Christmas (2018)

I'll Be Next Door for Christmas

5.1

Ancient Man

2018

 

Paul Rust and Gillian Jacobs in Love (2016)

Love

7.6

TV Series

2018

1 episode

 

Not For Nothin' (2018)

Not For Nothin'

8.7

TV Series

Carmine

2018

1 episode

 

Chazz Palminteri, Alex Meneses, and Kenny D'Aquila in Unorganized Crime (2018)

Unorganized Crime

7.9

TV Movie

Carmelo Corso

2018

 

Ronnie Marmo and Christopher Frederick in Baked Ziti (2016)

Baked Ziti

Short

Little Louie

2016

 

Waiting to Die

Short

Billy Tabusco

2015

 

C. Thomas Howell, Vinnie Jones, Jamie Kennedy, Neil Brown Jr., Catherine Carlen, Jimmy DellaValle, Thomas Downey, Leslie Easterbrook, Ed O'Ross, Elisabeth Röhm, Dante, Yvette Yates Redick, Chris W. Freeman, Shawn Parikh, Kayla Carlyle, and Adrian Kirk in Rivers 9 (2015)

Rivers 9

3.9

Romeo

2015

 

Zachary Knighton, Becki Newton, Nate Torrence, and Meera Rohit Kumbhani in Weird Loners (2015)

Weird Loners

6.5

TV Mini Series

Melvin

2015

1 episode

 

Can Frankie Come Out?

Video

Uncle Carmine

2011

 

Wednesday Again

7.4

Rudy

2008

 

Mama & Son (2005)

Mama & Son

TV Movie

2005

 

Runaways (2003)

Runaways

4.6

Officer Brady

2003

 

Mike Myers, Robert Englund, Janeane Garofalo, Virginia Madsen, Kristen Johnston, Tim Meadows, Alanna Ubach, Margaret Cho, Richard Kind, Ed Lauter, Michael Lerner, Wayne Rogers, Ryan Stiles, and Fred Willard in Nobody Knows Anything! (2003)

Nobody Knows Anything!

3.3

Frankie C.

2003

 

Danny Trejo, Kari Wuhrer, Louie Anderson, Adam Baratta, Shane Edelman, and George Wyner in Do It for Uncle Manny (2002)

Do It for Uncle Manny

4.9

Liquor Store Owner (as Carmine Carridi)

2002

 

18 D

Frank

2000

 

Carlo's Wake (1999)

Carlo's Wake

5.9

Uncle Nick

1999

 

Glacier Falls

Vito

1999

 

NYPD Blue (1993)

NYPD Blue

7.8

TV Series

Det. Vince GotelliFormer Det. Vince Gotelli

1994–1999

15 episodes

 

Money Play$ (1998)

Money Play$

5.7

TV Movie

Victor

1998

 

Whacked (1997)

Whacked

7.1

Short

Salvy Botero

1997

 

Harry Anderson in Dave's World (1993)

Dave's World

6.6

TV Series

1997

1 episode

 

The Good Bad Guy (1997)

The Good Bad Guy

4.6

Tony Fusciacca

1997

 

Chuck Norris and Betty in Top Dog (1995)

Top Dog

4.3

Lou Swanson

1995

 

Don Michael Paul, Nestor Serrano, James Tolkan, and Billy Warlock in The Hat Squad (1992)

The Hat Squad

7.5

TV Series

1992

1 episode

 

Danny Aiello in Ruby (1992)

Ruby

5.5

Sam Giancana

1992

 

William Conrad and Joe Penny in Jake and the Fatman (1987)

Jake and the Fatman

6.4

TV Series

Arnold Levine

1992

2 episodes

 

Warren Beatty and Annette Bening in Bugsy (1991)

Bugsy

6.8

Frank Costello

1991

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.3

TV Series

Dominic Rossari

1991

1 episode

 

Femme Fatale (1991)

Femme Fatale

4.6

Dino

1991

 

Mel Brooks in Life Stinks (1991)

Life Stinks

5.9

Flophouse Owner

1991

 

Al Pacino, Andy Garcia, Sofia Coppola, and Talia Shire in The Godfather Part III (1990)

The Godfather Part III

7.5

Albert Volpe

1990

 

Lena Olin and Robert Redford in Havana (1990)

Havana

6.1

Captain Potts

1990

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Paul Miller

1990

1 episode

 

Jeff Fahey in Parker Kane (1990)

Parker Kane

5.1

TV Movie

Moses (uncredited)

1990

 

Richard Grieco in Booker (1989)

Booker

6.2

TV Series

Joe Demakis

1990

1 episode

 

Mary Page Keller, Alison La Placa, Chris Lemmon, and Philip Charles MacKenzie in Open House (1989)

Open House

6.8

TV Series

Fred

1989

2 episodes

 

The Flamingo Kid

4.9

TV Movie

Harvey

1989

 

Bill Daily, Heidi Helmer, Jason Marin, Connie Stevens, and Nita Talbot in Starting from Scratch (1988)

Starting from Scratch

6.9

TV Series

Frank DeAngelo

1988

4 episodes

 

Walt Disney in The Magical World of Disney (1954)

The Magical World of Disney

8.4

TV Series

Bud Muncey

1988

1 episode

 

Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson Peete, Peter DeLuise, Dustin Nguyen, and Steven Williams in 21 Jump Street (1987)

21 Jump Street

7.2

TV Series

Lou D'Angelo

1988

1 episode

 

Gene Hackman, Craig Sheffer, and Eddie Velez in Split Decisions (1988)

Split Decisions

5.3

Lou Rubia

1988

 

Suzanne Somers in She's the Sheriff (1987)

She's the Sheriff

4.1

TV Series

Joe SmithersVinnie Salviano

1987

1 episode

 

Jerry Orbach and Barbara Babcock in The Law and Harry McGraw (1987)

The Law and Harry McGraw

7.5

TV Series

Albert Calucci

1987

1 episode

 

Nick Mancuso in Stingray (1986)

Stingray

7.4

TV Series

Alex Cobb

1987

1 episode

 

Mary Stuart Masterson, Eric Stoltz, and Lea Thompson in Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Some Kind of Wonderful

7.0

Museum Guard

1987

 

Tales from the Darkside (1983)

Tales from the Darkside

7.4

TV Series

Jake Caine

1987

1 episode

 

Melissa Gilbert and Joe Penny in Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife (1987)

Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife

6.5

TV Movie

Uncle Sal

1987

 

Harry Anderson, Selma Diamond, Ellen Foley, John Larroquette, Charles Robinson, and Richard Moll in Night Court (1984)

Night Court

7.7

TV Series

Cop

1986

1 episode

 

Gail Edwards, Ann Jillian, Paul Kreppel, Bert Remsen, Wendy Schaal, Susan Sullivan, and Barrie Youngfellow in It's a Living (1980)

It's a Living

7.0

TV Series

Big Joe

1986

1 episode

 

Jason Bateman, Dan Ponce, Sandy Duncan, Jeremy Licht, and Josh Taylor in Valerie (1986)

Valerie

6.6

TV Series

Bruno

1986

3 episodes

 

Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in The Money Pit (1986)

The Money Pit

6.4

Brad Shirk

1986

 

Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker in Simon & Simon (1981)

Simon & Simon

7.1

TV Series

Mr. Agonistes

1985–1986

2 episodes

 

Charlie & Co. (1985)

Charlie & Co.

7.0

TV Series

MacGreedy

1985

1 episode

 

John Candy in Summer Rental (1985)

Summer Rental

6.3

Ed

1985

 

John Candy and Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions (1985)

Brewster's Millions

6.5

Salvino

1985

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Joey Intestinale

1985

1 episode

 

Brothers (1984)

Brothers

8.0

TV Series

Papa Waters

1984

1 episode

 

Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Bill Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

Angelo Martelli

1982–1983

14 episodes

 

Angie Dickinson in Cassie & Co. (1982)

Cassie & Co.

6.3

TV Series

Zecca

1982

1 episode

 

Lorne Greene, Andrew Stevens, Julie Adams, and Sam J. Jones in Code Red (1981)

Code Red

7.1

TV Series

Matisse

1982

1 episode

 

Darkroom (1981)

Darkroom

7.2

TV Series

Nick Castellano

1981

1 episode

 

Today's F.B.I. (1981)

Today's F.B.I.

7.2

TV Series

Marder

1981

1 episode

 

Ricardo Montalban and Hervé Villechaize in Fantasy Island (1977)

Fantasy Island

6.6

TV Series

Angry Husband

1981

1 episode

 

Prince of the City (1981)

Prince of the City

7.4

Detective Gino Mascone

1981

 

Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Jeff Conaway, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, and Judd Hirsch in Taxi (1978)

Taxi

7.7

TV Series

Lou-LouLou-Lou Pantusso

1981

2 episodes

 

I'm a Big Girl Now (1980)

I'm a Big Girl Now

6.7

TV Series

Fred

1981

1 episode

 

Children of Divorce (1980)

Children of Divorce

6.4

TV Movie

Joe Hoffman

1980

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

6.9

TV Series

Wells Thompson

1980

1 episode

 

Joe Don Baker in Eischied (1979)

Eischied

7.5

TV Series

Seymour Jaffe

1979

1 episode

 

Mr. Too Little (1979)

Mr. Too Little

5.2

Officer Murphy

1979

 

Noah Beery Jr. and James Garner in The Rockford Files (1974)

The Rockford Files

8.2

TV Series

Tommy Manette

1979

1 episode

 

Alan Arkin and Peter Falk in The In-Laws (1979)

The In-Laws

7.3

Angie

1979

 

Brenda Vaccaro in Dear Detective (1979)

Dear Detective

6.3

TV Series

1979

1 episode

 

Polly Holliday, Beth Howland, Linda Lavin, Philip McKeon, and Vic Tayback in Alice (1976)

Alice

6.9

TV Series

Al Sharples

1979

1 episode

 

Vincent Baggetta in The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978)

The Eddie Capra Mysteries

7.1

TV Series

Inspector Chuck Di Carlo

1978

1 episode

 

Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and KISS in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park

4.6

TV Movie

Calvin Richards

1978

 

Sword of Justice (1978)

Sword of Justice

7.4

TV Series

Burson

1978

1 episode

 

Ann-Margret, Stockard Channing, Peter Falk, Dom DeLuise, Louise Fletcher, Madeline Kahn, John Houseman, Eileen Brennan, Sid Caesar, James Coco, Fernando Lamas, Marsha Mason, Phil Silvers, Paul Williams, and Nicol Williamson in The Cheap Detective (1978)

The Cheap Detective

6.5

Sgt. Crosseti

1978

 

Valerie Harper in Rhoda (1974)

Rhoda

6.9

TV Series

Tony Rizzo

1978

1 episode

 

Starsky and Hutch (1975)

Starsky and Hutch

7.0

TV Series

Sam Eberly

1978

1 episode

 

Tabitha (1976)

Tabitha

5.8

TV Series

Sergeant

1977

1 episode

 

Jack Klugman in Quincy, M.E. (1976)

Quincy, M.E.

7.3

TV Series

Dr. Byron BrownRocco

1977

2 episodes

 

Telly Savalas in Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

Stan SherbackJake Grubert

1975–1977

2 episodes

 

Good Penny

TV Movie

Jerry

1977

 

Phyllis (1975)

Phyllis

6.5

TV Series

Dan ValentiVince

1975–1977

25 episodes

 

Hollywood Man (1976)

Hollywood Man

5.1

Anthony

1976

 

Car Wash (1976)

Car Wash

6.2

Foolish Father

1976

 

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976)

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

7.9

TV Series

Sal Babbitaglia

1976

3 episodes

 

Angie Dickinson in Police Woman (1974)

Police Woman

6.6

TV Series

Starbo

1976

1 episode

 

Barnard Hughes in Doc (1975)

Doc

6.8

TV Series

Jerry Millner (Thief)

1975

1 episode

 

Louis Gossett Jr. and Bill Toliver in Delancey Street: The Crisis Within (1975)

Delancey Street: The Crisis Within

6.8

TV Movie

Joe

1975

 

Al Pacino in The Godfather Part II (1974)

The Godfather Part II

9.0

Carmine Rosato

1974

 

James Caan in The Gambler (1974)

The Gambler

7.1

Jimmy

1974

 

"Phyllis" Carmine Caridi, Cloris Leachman TV Pilot

Pete 'n' Tillie

6.2

TV Movie

Pete Schaefer

1974

 

Peter Boyle in Crazy Joe (1974)

Crazy Joe

6.2

Jelly

1974

 

The Sound Sleeper (1973)

The Sound Sleeper

Short

The Man

1973

 

I Could Never Have Sex with Any Man Who Has So Little Regard for My Husband (1973)

I Could Never Have Sex with Any Man Who Has So Little Regard for My Husband

4.6

Marvin

1973

 

Honor Thy Father (1973)

Honor Thy Father

5.2

TV Movie

Nick

1973

 

Irish Whiskey Rebellion (1972)

Irish Whiskey Rebellion

3.1

Marty

1972

 

Robert De Niro, Jerry Orbach, Joe Santos, Irving Selbst, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Jo Van Fleet in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971)

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

4.8

Tony, the Indian

1971

 

Sean Connery in The Anderson Tapes (1971)

The Anderson Tapes

6.4

Detective A

1971

 

The Plot Against Harry (1971)

The Plot Against Harry

7.0

1971

 

Naked City (1958)

Naked City

8.2

TV Series

Assistant Driver

1962

1 episode

 

Soundtrack

Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Bill Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

performer: "Danny Boy"

1982

1 episode

 

Thanks

Sinatra! Eternity (2025)

Sinatra! Eternity

In Memory Of

2025

 

All There Is (2025)

All There Is

7.0

special thanks

2025

 

Self

Love Lust (2011)

Love Lust

5.0

TV Series

Self

2011

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Prince of the City: The Real Story (2007)

Prince of the City: The Real Story

6.3

Video

Self - Gino Mascone (archive footage)

2007

 

The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992)

The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980

9.3

Video

Carmine RosatoAlbert Volpe (archive footage)

1992

 

Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Bill Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

Angelo Martelli (archive footage, uncredited)

1983

1 episode

 

The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977)

The Godfather: A Novel for Television

9.5

TV Mini Series

Carmine Rosato (archive footage, uncredited)

1977

John Gary Williams obit

Remembering John Gary Williams

 

He was not on the list.

Beloved soul singer and songwriter John Gary Williams died at his home today. He was 73 years old.

With his honey-sweet vocals, John Gary Williams rose to fame as the lead voice of inimitable Stax group, The Mad Lads (“Don’t Have to Shop Around,” “I Want Someone”). Williams formed the group with fellow students from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis during the early sixties and eventually recorded on Stax Record’s Volt label. With Williams’ high tenor voice and the soft soul harmonies of William Brown, Julius Green and Robert Phillips, The Mad Lads had several songs on the Billboard R&B chart during the sixties including “I Want a Girl” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” At the height of the band’s success, however, Williams was drafted into the military to serve in the Vietnam War and when he returned home his newly discovered political consciousness led him down a different path altogether. His powerful 1973 solo effort, John Gary Williams, was his last recording for the Stax label.

“We had the great privilege of knowing and working closely with John Gary Williams,” said Michele Smith VP, Estate & Legacy Brand Management for Stax Records and Craft Recordings. “The joy he had going through the Mad Lads photos and listening to his recordings for the 2017 reissue of his self-titled solo album, John Gary Williams, will always be remembered.  His wish for peace, love and equality in that album’s ‘The Whole Damn World Is Going Crazy’ is as relevant today as it was in 1973. He will be missed.”

“It takes my breath away to see people live from day to day

Without respect for each other, without love for their brothers

Without a second of kindness or a minute to be reminded, that we all have a common cause

And together we could conquer all, but I believe, I believe, I believe, yeah

I believe that the whole damn world is going crazy.”

–Lyrics from “The Whole Damn World Is Going Crazy”

Bill Buckner obit

Baseball great Bill Buckner dead at 69

He was not on the list.


Bill Buckner, a baseball stalwart who compiled 2,715 hits for five different teams over a 22-year career, died Monday. He was 69.

In a statement to ESPN, Buckner's widow, Jody, said that her husband had suffered from Lewy Body Dementia.

"Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life," Jody Buckner said. "Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

A Bay Area native, Bucker broke into the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he played the first eight years of his career. Dealt to the Chicago Cubs prior to the 1977 season, Buckner spent his most productive seasons on the North Side of Chicago. He was an All-Star in 1981 and finished in the top 20 of MVP voting four times -- in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982.

In May 1984, the Cubs dealt Bucker to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for star closer Dennis Eckersley and utility infielder Mike Brumley. Two and a half years later, Buckner would be front and center for one of the most infamous moments in baseball history.

In Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, the Red Sox held a 5-3 lead over the New York Mets entering the bottom of the 10th inning and were three outs away from claiming their first title since 1918. Red Sox manager John McNamara kept Bucker at first base for the 10th inning, rather than pulling him for defensive replacement Dave Stapleton.

Reliever Calvin Schiraldi retired the first two Mets hitters, then allowed three consecutive singles that cut the Boston lead to 5-4. Bob Stanley relieved Schiraldi and threw a wild pitch that allowed Kevin Mitchell to score the tying run. Three pitches later, Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball up the first base line. Buckner hobbled over to play the ball, only to see it skip under his glove and into right field as Ray Knight raced around third to score the winning run for New York.

The Mets won Game 7 two days later and the Red Sox championship drought would continue until 2004. Though his teammates refused to blame Buckner for the error, many Boston fans did and Buckner was released in May 1987.

Buckner played for the California Angels and Kansas City Royals before returning to the Red Sox for the start of the 1990 season. However, injuries and ineffectiveness at the plate led to his release in June of that year. Buckner and his family later moved from Massachusetts to Idaho due to ongoing fan and media criticism of his actions on that October night at Shea Stadium.

Time, a change in the Red Sox ownership and the Red Sox success in the new millennium helped heal the wounds of 1986. Buckner made a triumphant return to Fenway Park in 2008 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a home opener at which the Red Sox celebrated their second World Series title in four years.

"I really had to forgive, not the fans of Boston, per se, but I would have to say in my heart I had to forgive the media for what they put me and my family through," Buckner said at the time. "So, you know, I've done that and I'm over that."

Former Mets and Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, a teammate of Buckner with the Dodgers, tweeted: "I know I will always remember Billy Buck as a great hitter and a better friend. He deserved better."

He retired with the fourth-most assists by a first baseman (1,351) in major league history despite not playing the position regularly until he was 27 years old. After retiring as a player, Buckner became a real estate developer in Idaho. He coached a number of Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams before leaving baseball in 2014.

In the 1974 episode of the TV series Emergency! entitled “Nagging Suspicion,” Buckner is mentioned as “batting .300” by one of the fire fighters reading the newspaper. The series is set in Los Angeles and at the time Buckner was playing for the Dodgers. Charlie Sheen purchased the "Buckner Ball" at auction in 1992 for $93,000, and for a long time, it resided in the collection of songwriter and Mets fan Seth Swirsky, who refers to it as the "Mookie Ball". The ball was on loan for a time from Swirsky to the Mets to display in their Hall of Fame and Museum, and it was among the most popular artifacts for fans to see. On May 3, 2012, Swirsky sold the ball through Heritage Auctions for $418,250.

Buckner made a cameo appearance at the beginning of the sports parody film The Comebacks and was featured in an episode of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also made a cameo appearance in the pilot episode of the short-lived sitcom Inside Schwartz, advising the title character to "just let it go". In 1995, Buckner appeared along with Michael Jordan, Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr. in a commercial for the shoemaker Nike in which Spike Lee, in character as Mars Blackmon, compares Jordan's baseball skills to Musial, Mays, Griffey and Buckner. The punch line is a visual reference to Buckner's 1986 World Series error. His famous 1986 World Series miscue is also referenced in the films Celtic Pride, Rounders, and Fever Pitch. The play is also referenced in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Brother's Little Helper" and in the musical Johnny Baseball. On October 23, 2008, during former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan's testimony in House hearings on the 2008 financial crisis, Representative John Yarmuth referred to Greenspan as one of "three Bill Buckners". Buckner and Mookie Wilson appeared in an MLB Network commercial for the 2016 postseason, "Catching Up", marking the 30th anniversary of the 1986 World Series and their roles in it.

Buckner is mentioned in The Areas of My Expertise in a series of New England sports references. In the book, John Hodgman describes a (fictional) radio personality and recounts the premonition she had regarding Buckner's infamous error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, in Boston, is colloquially referred to by locals as the Bill Buckner Bridge because traffic goes between the "legs" of the bridge, like Buckner's 1986 World Series fielding error. The nickname is now spoken fondly, since Buckner and Sox fans thought fondly of each other after the 2004 World Series win.

In the minors he played for the Odgen Dodgers, Spokane Indians and Albuquerque Dodgers. He also coached the Brockton Red Sox.

Teams

Los Angeles Dodgers (1969–1976)

Chicago Cubs (1977–1984)

Boston Red Sox (1984–1987)

California Angels (1987–1988)

Kansas City Royals (1988–1989)

Boston Red Sox (1990)

Career highlights and awards

All-Star (1981)

NL batting champion (1980)

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

Roger O. Hirson obit

Roger Hirson, Who Wrote the Book for ‘Pippin,’ Dies at 93

 He was not on the list.

Roger O. Hirson, who earned a Best Book Tony Award nomination for his work on the musical Pippin, died May 27 at the age of 93. His death was confirmed to the New York Times by his son, playwright David Hirson.

Mr. Hirson met Pippin composer Stephen Schwartz in 1969—three years before the musical would open on Broadway—as Schwartz (then a student) searched for a potential collaborator on the project.

Though Mr. Hirson was more than twice Schwartz’s age, the two melded their combined experience and perspectives to tell the medieval coming-of-age tale, which went on to earn 11 Tony Award nominations (winning five) and run for over four years.

Prior to Pippin, Mr. Hirson—alongside Ketti Frings—penned the book to the 1967 Broadway musical Walking Happy. Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s Hirson wrote episodes for such television anthologies as The Goodyear Television Playhouse, The Alcoa Hour, Playhouse 90, and The Sunday Showcase.

Later in life, the writer returned to the small screen, crafting the screenplay for the 1991 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis–centered miniseries A Woman Named Jackie.

Born May 5, 1926, in New York, Mr. Hirson served in the U.S. Army during World War II before studying English at Yale University. In addition to David, Mr. Hirson is survived by son Christopher and a grandson.

Filmography

Alcoa Hour: "The Big Build-Up"

Alcoa Hour: "Man on a Tiger"

Goodyear Television Playhouse: "End of the Mission"

Goodyear Television Playhouse: "Doing Her Bit"

Goodyear Television Playhouse: "Mr. Dorothy Allen"

Hallmark Hall of Fame: "A Bell for Adano"

Kraft Television Theatre: "The Glass Wall"

Playhouse 90: "The Long March"

Playhouse 90: "Journey to the Day"

Studio One: "Trial by Slander"

Studio One: "The Weston Strain"

Studio One: "Kurishiki Incident"

Sunday Showcase: "One Loud Clear Voice"

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "The Zone of Silence" (1959)

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "Ghost Bomber: The Lady Be Good"

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "And Bring Home a Baby"

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "Thirty Days to Reconsider"

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "Money for Sale"

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "Terror at My Heels"(1956)

The Armstrong Circle Theatre: "Error in Judgment: The Case of Prisoner #16688" (1957)

The DuPont Show of the Week: "The Outpost"

The DuPont Show of the Week: "Don't Go Upstairs"

The DuPont Show of the Week: "Windfall"

The Philco Television Playhouse: "The Basket Weaver" (1947)

The Philco Television Playhouse: "The Miss America Story" (1947)

 

Writer

Roma Downey in A Woman Named Jackie (1991)

A Woman Named Jackie

6.5

TV Mini Series

teleplay

1991

3 episodes

 

The Old Man and the Sea (1990)

The Old Man and the Sea

6.7

TV Movie

written by

1990

 

The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story (1986)

The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story

6.1

TV Movie

Writer

1986

 

George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol (1984)

A Christmas Carol

7.8

TV Movie

screenplay

1984

 

Teri Garr, Robert Wagner, and Horst Janson in To Catch a King (1984)

To Catch a King

5.7

TV Movie

Writer

1984

 

Pippin: His Life and Times (1982)

Pippin: His Life and Times

7.3

TV Movie

book

1982

 

William Hurt, Victor Garber, Guy Boyd, Jill Eikenberry, Pauline Flanagan, Sean P. Griffin, William Prince, and Robert P. Fields in The Best of Families (1977)

The Best of Families

7.0

TV Mini Series

Writer

1977

 

Demon Seed (1977)

Demon Seed

6.3

screenplay

1977

 

The Adams Chronicles (1976)

The Adams Chronicles

8.1

TV Mini Series

written by

1976

2 episodes

 

Strike Force (1975)

Strike Force

4.3

TV Movie

Writer

1975

 

Pieces of Dreams (1970)

Pieces of Dreams

5.1

screenplay

1970

 

Mordersken (1969)

Mordersken

TV Movie

play: "World War 2 1/2"

1969

 

The Bridge at Remagen (1969)

The Bridge at Remagen

6.7

story (as Roger Hirson)

1969

 

John Forsythe in A Bell for Adano (1967)

A Bell for Adano

7.3

TV Movie

adaptation for television

1967

 

Ben Gazzara in Run for Your Life (1965)

Run for Your Life

7.6

TV Series

story

teleplay

1967

1 episode

 

CBC Show of the Week (1964)

CBC Show of the Week

TV Series

Writer

1965

1 episode

 

Walter Matthau and Frank McGee in The DuPont Show of the Week (1961)

The DuPont Show of the Week

6.1

TV Series

writer

by

1962–1964

3 episodes

 

Playdate

6.8

TV Series

Writer

1963

1 episode

 

Ronald Reagan in General Electric Theater (1953)

General Electric Theater

6.8

TV Series

written by

1961

1 episode

 

Vanity Fair

TV Series

adaptation

1961

 

Playhouse 90 (1956)

Playhouse 90

8.3

TV Series

writer

teleplay

1958–1960

2 episodes

 

Mischa Auer, Leon Belasco, and Gig Young in Ninotchka (1960)

Ninotchka

7.9

TV Movie

adaptation

1960

 

Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950)

Armstrong Circle Theatre

7.6

TV Series

writer

1956–1960

9 episodes

 

John Forsythe, Larry Blyden, and Barbara Rush in Sunday Showcase (1959)

Sunday Showcase

4.4

TV Series

writer

1960

1 episode

 

Marsha Hunt and John Rodney in Studio One (1948)

Studio One

7.5

TV Series

writer

written by

1957–1958

3 episodes

 

Eddie Bracken, Alice Ghostley, Dennis Olivieri, and Tirrell Barbery in General Motors 50th Anniversary Show (1957)

General Motors 50th Anniversary Show

TV Special

special material

1957

 

Kraft Theatre (1947)

Kraft Theatre

8.0

TV Series

Writer

1957

1 episode

 

The Alcoa Hour (1955)

The Alcoa Hour

7.2

TV Series

writer

1956–1957

2 episodes

 

Justice (1954)

Justice

5.5

TV Series

television play

1955–1956

2 episodes

 

London Playhouse

TV Series

writer

1955

1 episode

 

Kraft Theatre (1947)

The Philco Television Playhouse

7.4

TV Series

writer

story

1952–1955

2 episodes

 

Goodyear Playhouse (1951)

Goodyear Playhouse

7.6

TV Series

writer

1955

3 episodes

 

Additional Crew

Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams in Fosse/Verdon (2019)

Fosse/Verdon

7.9

TV Mini Series

book: Pippin

book copyright: Pippin ©1974, ©2017

2019

1 episode

Stephen Thorne obit

The actor Stephen Thorne has died at the age of 84.

He was not on the lust.

In the 1970s Stephen Thorne created three of the greatest adversaries of the Doctor, characters whose influence endures in the programme today.

His towering presence and deep melodious voice were first witnessed in the 1971 story The Dæmons, where he portrayed Azal, the last living Dæmon on Earth, in a story often cited as one of the most appreciated of the third Doctor's era and story emblematic of the close-knit UNIT team of the time.



Stephen Thorn was born in London in 1935. He trained as an actor at RADA and spent several seasons with the Old Vic Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Television credits were many and included roles in Z Cars, Crossroads, Sexton Blake, David Copperfield and Last of the Summer Wine.

His voice was suited to Radio work where roles included Aslan in The Magicians Nephew, Treebeard in The Lord of the Rings, and Colon in Terry Pratchett's Guards! Guards!. He has played many characters for Big Finish Audio productions including reprising the roles of Omega and Eldred.

Thorne recorded over 300 unabridged audiobooks including children's stories and often gave readings at events in places such as Westminster Abbey. His awards include a Talkies Award 1996 for Enigma by Robert Harris and several Golden Earphones Awards from Audiofile Magazine.

The death of Stephen Thorne was announced on Twitter by Lisa Bowerman on behalf of one of his great friends.
It's with great sadness that Chris Benjamin has just asked me to announce the death of his oldest and dearest friend, actor #StephenThorne He leant his magnificent voice to many productions, and those who knew him, know what a gentle man he was. Many thoughts to his family. RIP
He returned to the series in 1972 playing Omega, the renegade Time Lord fighting The Three Doctors, a character that would return to confront the Doctor in later years. In 1976 he opposed the Fourth Doctor playing the male form of Eldred, last of the Kastrians in the story The Hand of Fear.

Bart Starr obit

Bart Starr, legendary 1960's Green Bay Packers quarterback, dies at 85

He was not on the list.


Legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr died Sunday at the age of 85, according to the team.

The Packers announced Starr, a catalyst of Vince Lombardi's powerhouse teams of the 1960s, died in Birmingham, Ala., citing his family.

He had been in failing health since suffering a serious stroke in 2014.


We are saddened to note the passing of our husband, father, grandfather and friend, Bart Starr," family members said in a statement.


Starr "battled with courage and determination" after a serious stroke in September 2014, but "his most recent illness was too much to overcome," family members said.

"While he may always be best known for his success as the Packers quarterback for 16 years, his true legacy will always be the respectful manner in which he treated every person he met, his humble demeanor, and his generous spirit," a statement read.


The Packers selected Starr out of the University of Alabama with the 200th pick in the 1956 draft. He led Green Bay to six division titles, five NFL championships and wins in the first two Super Bowls. Until Brett Favre came along, Starr was known as the best Packer ever. The team retired his No. 15 jersey in 1973, making him just the third player to receive that honor. Four years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

After losing the 1960 NFL title game in his first playoff appearance, the Packers never lost another playoff game under Starr, going 9-0, including wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders in the first two Super Bowls.

Starr's college career wasn't very noteworthy and it wasn't until Lombardi's arrival in Green Bay in 1959 that Starr, living by his motto "desire and dedication are everything," began to blossom.


Lombardi liked Starr's mechanics, his arm strength and especially his decision-making abilities. Under Lombardi's nurturing, Starr became one of the league's top quarterbacks.

"If you work harder than somebody else, chances are you'll beat him though he has more talent than you," Starr once said. He credited Lombardi for showing him "that by working hard and using my mind, I could overcome my weakness to the point where I could be one of the best."


The quarterback's status as a Packers icon was tested by his struggles as the team's head coach. In nine seasons from 1975-83, he won just 41 percent of his games, going 53-77-3, including 1-1 in the playoffs, part of three decades of futility that followed the glory years.

After football, Starr, became a successful businessman in Birmingham, Alabama, not far from his hometown of Montgomery, where he was born on Jan. 9, 1934.

Starr was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. He won NFL titles in 1961, `62, `65, `67 and `68. He was the 1966 NFL MVP and was named to the 1960s All-Decade team. He also was named MVP of the first two Super Bowls. Starr also has an NFL award named after him, given annually to a player of outstanding

But the play he was most famous for was a run.

In the NFL championship on Dec. 31, 1967, Starr knifed into the end zone behind guard Jerry Kramer and center Ken Bowman with 16 seconds left to lift the Packers over the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in what became known as the "Ice Bowl."

"We all have a capacity to focus and to concentrate to a unique degree when we're called upon to do it," Starr said on the 30th anniversary of that game. "That's exactly what I did that day. And I think the same was true of the Cowboys. Let's face it, they obviously were not accustomed to something like that and yet they were the team which had surged and come back in the second half and were in a position to win it."

Two weeks later in sunny Miami, the Packers defeated the AFL champion Raiders 33-14 in Lombardi's final game as head coach of the Packers.

When Starr retired following the 1971 season, his career completion percentage of 57.4 was tops in the run-heavy NFL, and his passer rating of 80.5 was second-best ever, behind only Otto Graham. Starr replaced Dan Devine as Packers head coach in 1975 and would be replaced himself by former teammate Forrest Gregg in 1984 after failing to lead the franchise to the kind of success he did as a player.

In 1965, Starr and his wife, Cherry, helped co-found Rawhide Boys Ranch in New London, Wisconsin, a facility designed to help at-risk and troubled boys throughout the state. The couple dealt with tragedy in 1988 when their son Brett died at 24 due to complications from cocaine addiction. They also had another son, Bart Jr.

"His love for all of humanity is well known, and his affection toward the residents of Alabama and of Wisconsin filled him with gratitude," the family's statement said. "He had hoped to make one last trip to Green Bay to watch the Packers this fall, but he shall forever be there in spirit."

Beverly Lunsford obit

Beverly Jane Lunsford of Canton, Georgia | 1945 - 2019 | Obituary

 

She was not on the list.

Ms. Beverly Lunsford, age 74 of Canton, formerly of Conyers, passed away Wednesday May 22, 2019 at Northside Hospital Cherokee.

Ms. Lunsford is survived by her dearest friend: Sharon Summers of Jasper; Step-Sons and Daughters in heart: Robert & Amber Nix of Cumming; Robin & Jose Casas of Jasper; Renee & Clay Barrineau of Canton; Grandchildren in heart: Colton Williams, Jose Casas Jr, Hampton Barrineau, Eason Barrineau, Ryleigh Nix and Robert Nix Jr.

Visitation will begin 1:00 PM Sunday May 26, until the funeral hour.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday May 26, 2019 in the Cagle Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Ben Mock officiating.

Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.

Cagle Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lunsford family.

The actress best known for playing Shirley Fletcher on the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver.

Lunsford's early career encompassed several stage performances as well as television and movies. She first appeared at the age of 12 in the 1957 Broadway production of The Rope Dancers, starring Siobhán McKenna and Art Carney. Lunsford's big-screen work started soon after. She appeared in several anthology dramas, then progressed to guest-starring roles on television series such as National Velvet, My Three Sons, and Leave It to Beaver. She temporarily played the part of Amy Ames Britton Kincaid on the CBS soap opera The Secret Storm, during which she filled in for the main star, Jada Rowland. She had previously played a role on The Edge of Night.

Lunsford's starring role came in 1961 when she played in Roger Corman's topical drama The Intruder. The film dealt with race relations in the American South in the wake of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954.

In 1963, Lunsford was cast in Herbert L. Strock's horror film The Crawling Hand. Lunsford made her last screen appearance in 1969, although she still attended various public celebrity-oriented events until her death in 2019.

Filmography

Year     Title            Role

1957    That Night!   Betsy Bowden

1962    The Intruder            Ella McDaniel

1963    The Crawling Hand            Patsy Townsen

1968    Jennie: Wife/Child            Jennie Pekingpraw

 

Television

Year     Title            Role

1956    Robert Montgomery Presents            Mark Pendel

1955–1958            United States Steel Hour            Sylvia/Allison

1960–1961            National Velvet Marilyn Winters in "The Riding Mistress (with Roger Mobley)

1962    Leave It to Beaver            Shirley Fletcher

1969    My Three Sons            Betty Crawford