The RIP Famous Person Thread

[BaitongBoy]

^I think Dawg is Siberian...heh...

[Thetyim]

Lou Kenton
Lou Kenton, who has died aged 104, served with the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War , and was said to have been the Brigades’ oldest surviving British member.

Louis Kenton was born in Stepney, east London, on September 1 1908 into a Jewish-Ukrainian family who had escaped the Tsarist pogroms. One of nine sons, only six of whom survived, he was brought up in a three-room flat in a Stepney tenement. When Lou was a small child, his father, a tailor, died of tuberculosis, and he left school at 14 to work in a paper factory.

[Thetyim]

John Forte
Major John Forte, who has died aged 96, on the Greek island of Corfu, where he became famous for reviving the game of cricket after the Second World War.

Cricket in Corfu is a legacy of Britain’s period of administration of the island in the 19th century, when visiting sailors first played the local fishermen, bakers and labourers on the Napoleonic army parade ground.

[Mr Lick]

Corrie Sanders: Ex-heavyweight champion dies in shooting



Former heavyweight world boxing champion Corrie Sanders has died after being shot during an armed robbery.

The 46-year-old was attending a family celebration at a restaurant near Pretoria in his native South Africa. He died in hospital.

Sanders pulled off one of boxing's major shocks when he beat Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO heavyweight title in 2003.

He retired in 2008, having won 42 of his 46 fights.

A police spokesman said Sanders was attending his nephew's 21st birthday party when gunmen entered the restaurant.

"In the midst of the celebrations, about three suspects came in," the spokesman explained.

"They were planning to commit an armed robbery. Then in the armed robbery they shot randomly. Corrie was shot in the hand and also the stomach.

"They fled with a digital camera and also a handbag of one of the people who was in the restaurant."

Police have not yet made any arrests but the spokeman said they were "in hot pursuit".

Sanders vacated the WBO title in December 2003 to concentrate on a challenge against Wladimir's older brother Vitali for the vacant WBC belt.

But he was stopped in the eighth round of the fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Sanders retired in December 2004 after beating Alexei Varakin in the second round of their contest in Austria, but returned to action two years later.

He lost his final bout, against Osbourne Machimana, for the South African heavyweight title in February 2008.

[Mr Lick]

Andy Williams, Moon River singer, dies aged 84



Singer Andy Williams has died at his home in Branson, Missouri, after a year-long battle with bladder cancer, aged 84.

He was best known for the song Moon River, the Oscar-winning song featured in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

In 1962, he started The Andy Williams Show, which was broadcast around the world and went on to win three Emmys.

Since the 1990s, he had run the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in his home town.

The singer was one of the most enduring stars of the 1960s and '70s whose easy style and mellow voice led President Ronald Reagan to call him "a national treasure".

A new generation discovered Williams' music when Music to Watch Girls Go By made the Top 10 in 1999 after being used in an advert.

Williams started singing professionally with his three brothers

He described Moon River as his "signature song" which had a "wonderful" melody and "timeless" lyrics.

"I never tried to sing like anybody else, fortunately I didn't sound like anybody else. It just happened," said Williams.

"I was very lucky that I had a voice that sounded different to almost anybody else's and it's recognisable."

Williams died on Tuesday night and is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his three children, Robert, Noelle and Christian.

Howard Andrew Williams was born in Iowa and started singing professionally with his three brothers as the Williams Brothers Quartet.

They worked in night clubs and on radio and backed Bing Crosby on his number one record Swinging on a Star in 1944.

Williams' TV show made him an international star and launched a recording career that spawned such hits as Butterfly, Love Story, Can't Get Used to Losing You and Almost There.

The show lasted nine years and will be remembered by many for introducing the Osmond family to the world.

Williams became a major star in 1956, the same year that Elvis Presley shot to fame, and was well loved in the 1960s.

"The old cliche says that if you can remember the 1960s, you weren't there," said the singer.

"Well, I was there all right, but my memory of them is blurred - not by any drugs I took but by the relentless pace of the schedule I set myself."

In 1962 he married Claudine Longet, a French actress and singer, with whom he had three children before their divorce in 1975.

Williams revealed in November 2011 he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer but said he planned to continue performing at his own theatre.

He said at the time that bladder cancer was "no longer a death sentence" and that "people with cancer are getting through this thing".

"They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them," he went on.

Williams left hospital in July to spend his final days at home with his family

[Daft Old Cat]

^ No way! The guy was a cat. That's bad news.

[alitongkat]

[Daft Old Cat]

[Thetyim]

Emperor of Easy
RIP

[Cujo]

And he was famous. Well done Lick.
RIP.
I remember as kids watching the Andy Williams show was a family activity.

[Mr Lick]

A tune for ones ears over breakfast

[Humbert]

Let's give credit for Johnny Mercer for writing that song. Andy William's version was much better than Audrey Hepburn's.

[Mr Lick]

[Daft Old Cat]

It's just been announced that Herbert Lom has died.

Herbert Lom, Pink Panther star, dies aged 95



Lom starred alongside Peter Sellers in several Pink Panther movies
Actor Herbert Lom, best known for playing Charles Dreyfus in the Pink Panther films, has died aged 95.
The Czech-born, London-based actor starred opposite Peter Sellers in several films as Inspector Clouseau's irritable boss.
Lom appeared in more than 100 films during his 50-year acting career, including such classics as The Ladykillers, Spartacus and El Cid.
His family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday.
Lom also portrayed Napoleon Bonaparte on two occasions. One of them came in the 1956 screen adaptation of Tolstoy's War And Peace.
He first appeared as police chief Dreyfus in 1964's A Shot In The Dark, a character who became increasingly mentally unstable as a result of Clouseau's incompetence as the films went on.

[Mr Lick]

He also wrote two novels alongside his acting career: Enter A Spy published in 1971 and Dr Guillotine in 1993.

His later acting career saw him work with director David Cronenberg in a 1983 adaptation of Stephen King novel The Dead Zone, opposite Christopher Walken.

[Mr Lick]

Frank Wilson, Motown producer and singer, dies





Wilson co-wrote and produced The Supremes' hit Stoned Love


Frank Wilson, who sang the sought-after Northern Soul single and produced a string of Motown hits, has died aged 71.

The Houston native wrote and produced for artists such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and The Temptations but only released one single as a vocalist.

Just two or three copies survived - one of which sold at auction for more than £25,000 in 2009.

Wilson had fought a long battle with prostate cancer but died on Thursday.

Just 250 demo copies of Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) were pressed on 7-inch vinyl, but Wilson decided he would rather focus on producing, so they were trashed.

A rare remaining copy which changed hands in 2009 is the most expensive record ever sold at auction. A prized item among collectors, the song is regarded as a Northern Soul classic in the UK.

[Mr Lick]

New York Times ex-chief Arthur Sulzberger Sr dies

Arthur Sulzberger led the New York Times to 31 Pulitzer prizes

Award-winning American newspaper publisher Arthur Sulzberger Sr has died at the age of 86.

Mr Sulzberger led the New York Times for more than three decades, before passing the business to his son.

He took over the paper in 1963 when it was in financial trouble, and transformed it into the heart of a multi-billion dollar media empire.

His family announced he had died at his home in Southampton, New York state, after a long illness.

His son, Arthur Sulzberger Jr, said in a statement that his father, whom he referred to by his childhood nickname of Punch, was "one of our industry's most admired executives".

"Punch, the old Marine captain who never backed down from a fight, was an absolutely fierce defender of the freedom of the press," he said.

[Mr Lick]

Malcolm Wicks death prompts cross-party tributes

Mr Wicks had served Croydon North since 1997

Politicians from all sides have paid tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks, following the 65-year-old's death from cancer.

Labour had "lost one of its sharpest thinkers", leader Ed Miliband said. Conservative Communities Secretary Eric Pickles called the Croydon North MP "a man of great wit and humanity".

Former prime minister Tony Blair hailed Mr Wicks' "complete integrity".

There will be a by-election in the safe seat held by Mr Wicks since 1997.

Mr Miliband said: "He was a brilliant energy minister, he was a deep thinker about welfare and pensions, and Labour to his core.

"Malcolm was also a dedicated constituency MP, always putting the needs of his Croydon constituents first. He was a brilliant campaigner.

"I have lost a wise confidant and most importantly a dear friend and the Labour Party has lost one of its sharpest thinkers. Our thoughts go to Malcolm's wife, Margaret, and his family."

Mr Wicks, a father and grandfather who is understood to have been unwell for some time, died on Saturday.

Mr Blair said: "He had a very basic principle that guided his life: to do what he could for others, to serve, to be committed and to work hard for causes that were always about helping those who needed it most.

"He had complete integrity in all he did and, both as an MP for Croydon and a minister, was immensely popular across the political divide."

'True servant'

Gordon Brown called Mr Wicks "a great thinker, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian".

"I talked to him during his long period of ill-health and I marvelled at his courage and tenacity in fighting his illness," said the former prime minister.

Former foreign secretary David Miliband said Mr Wicks had been a "deep thinker, honest politician, real reformer, brave fighter".

Before becoming an MP, Mr Wicks worked in the urban deprivation unit of the Home Office, as a lecturer and was director of the Family Policy Studies Centre.

He held a variety of ministerial briefs under Mr Blair and Mr Brown - including pensions, science and energy.

Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: "Malcolm's knowledge and passion on energy issues commanded huge respect, and we are all the poorer for his passing."

Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for neighbouring Croydon Central, called his colleague "a great MP for Croydon North and good friend. Drive home from SW1 won't be the same without him".

Mr Wicks' local Labour Party tweeted: "Malcolm Wicks MP will be missed by so many people. He was so hard working and a true servant of the people of Croydon. RIP."

Labour former welfare minister Frank Field said: "Malcolm Wicks was the most honourable, dedicated and genuine MP in the House of Commons."

He had retained his seat in Parliament at the 2010 general election with an increased majority of 16,483.

[Mr Lick]

Television antiques expert David Barby dies, aged 69

Mr Barby acquired many fans from his appearances on television shows like Antiques Road Trip

Warwickshire-based television antiques expert David Barby has died following a short illness.

Mr Barby, 69, from Rugby, was best known for appearances on BBC shows like Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip. He died in hospital on Wednesday.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson called him a "great friend" and said "no other expert... could rival his great human touch".

"He built up the great passion the public had for these programmes."

Mr Hanson, a former television colleague of Mr Barby, added: "More importantly he was a man of the people.

"Anybody could speak to him and he had time for so many members of the public to share their stories, memories, nostalgia and passion for old things."
'Ambassador for antiques'

Mr Barby first became interested in antiques as a boy growing up in Rugby.
He qualified aged 21 and began working for a local firm.

After a brief stint in London, Mr Barby returned to Warwickshire in 1978 to work at a Leamington auction house where he would eventually become a partner in the business.

He also founded a valuation company, David J Barby and Associates, in Rugby.
Mr Barby appeared in the first episode of Flog It in 2002.

[Mr Lick]

Historian Eric Hobsbawm dies, aged 95



Eric Hobsbawm, one of Britain's most eminent historians, has died at the age of 95, his family have confirmed.

He died in the early hours of Monday morning at the Royal Free Hospital in London where he had been suffering from pneumonia, his daughter Julia said.

Mr Hobsbawm, a historian in the Marxist tradition, wrote more than 30 books.

His reputation rests largely on four works, including History of the 20th Century, The Age of Extremes, which has been translated into 40 languages.

In a statement his family said: "He will be greatly missed not only by his wife of 50 years, Marlene, and his three children, seven grandchildren and great grandchild, but also by his many thousands of readers and students around the world."

Born to Jewish parents in Egypt in 1917, the year of the Russian Revolution, Prof Hobsbawm's life and works were shaped by his commitment to radical socialism.

His British father and Austrian mother moved to Vienna when he was two, then to Berlin.



Prof Hobsbawm in conversation with Jeremy Paxman in January

He joined the Communist Party aged 14, after he had been orphaned and was living with his uncle.

In his 80s he reflected: "Anybody who saw Hitler's rise happen first-hand could not have helped but be shaped by it, politically. That boy is still somewhere inside, always will be."

In 1933, with Hitler's grip on power tightening, he came to London. After gaining a PhD from Cambridge, he published his first book in 1948.

Hobsbawm was appointed a lecturer at Birkbeck College in London in 1947, spending his entire career on the faculty and eventually being appointed president.

His best-known works were the three-volume history of the 19th century and his book the Age of Extremes which covered the eight decades from WWI to the collapse of communism in Europe.

He published his final book, How to Change the World, in 2011.

Hobsbawm said he had lived "through almost all of the most extraordinary and terrible century in human history".

An unrepentant Marxist, he acknowledged the failure of 20th Century communism but said he had not given up on Marxist ideals.

In April, he told fellow historian Simon Schama he would like to be remembered as "somebody who not only kept the flag flying, but who showed that by waving it you can actually achieve something, if only good and readable books".

[Tom Sawyer]

And he was famous. Well done Lick.
RIP.
I remember as kids watching the Andy Williams show was a family activity.

Andy who?

[Cujo]

And he was famous. Well done Lick.
RIP.
I remember as kids watching the Andy Williams show was a family activity.

Andy who?

Andy griffiths.

[Mr Lick]

West Ham legend and former Man City manager John Bond dies aged 79

John Bond alongside the greats of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst

A statement on City's website read: 'Manchester City FC are deeply saddened to hear the news that former manager John Bond has passed away at the age of 79.

'John managed the club for three years, between 1980 and 1983 and oversaw the memorable run to the 1981 FA Cup final.

'Before Roberto Mancini in 2011, Bond was the last manager to lead the Blues to a Wembley the FA Cup final.'

Bond began his managerial career with Bournemouth and led them to promotion from the old fourth division at the end of his first season in charge.

He went on to manage Norwich, Manchester City, Burnley, Swansea, Birmingham and Shrewsbury.

Bond led Norwich to the 1975 League Cup final which they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.

Bond also played for Torquay during his playing career.

Norwich will pay tribute to Bond before Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie against Doncaster at Carrow Road.

A statement read: 'Norwich City Football Club is saddened to learn of the death of former manager John Bond at the age of 79.

'During his tenure he brought players such as World Cup winner Martin Peters to Norwich City, which helped trigger an exciting brand of attacking football at Carrow Road.

[oxyjohn]

Wasn't the Breakfast at Tiffany's version of Moon River sung by Danny Williams?

[Thetyim]

^
Yes, but he's dead as well