In 2024, we've experienced the loss of several luminaries in the world of entertainment. These beloved figures—actors, comedians, musicians, singers, and coaches—have touched our lives with their talent, passion, and dedication. They've left an indelible mark on our hearts and shaped the world of entertainment in ways that will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.
Among the incredible actors who bid farewell this year, we mourn the loss of a true chameleon who effortlessly.
Blanchard was born in the Merlet neighborhood of St. Barths on 16 February 1896.[1] She was born only 18 years after the former Swedishisland of St. Barths was sold back to France. Blanchard was last survivor of thirteen brothers and sisters.[1]
Blanchard moved to Curaçao in May 1923, where she became a Catholic nun of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Roosendaal on the island.[2] She adopted the name Sister Cyria during her years with the order, but earned the nickname "Sweets" due to her treatment of others, according to Victorin Lurel, the President of the Regional Council of neighboring Guadeloupe.[1] Other reports have indicated that Curaçaoan children called her "Douchy," which is derived from "Dushi" meaning "sweets" or "candy" in Papiamento, the creole language of Curaçao, because she worked as a sweet seller.[2]
Blanchard remained with the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Roosendaal on Curaçao until August 1955, when she returned to Saint Barthélemy at the age of 60.[1][2] She resided alone with her cat until she moved to a hospital nursing home in 1980 at the age of 84 due to declining health.[1][2]
Blanchard was described as generally in good health during her later years, despite the loss of her eye sight and her ability to speak.[1][2]She died in Saint Barth's on 4 November 2010, at the age of 114.
As the war began, Compagnon was serving with the 4e régiment de hussards, serving from horseback during the Battle of France. He fought in the Lorraine front, but was wounded in Picardy, leading a motorcycle cavalary unit. After the surrender, and disbandment of 4RH, Compagnon escaped to North Africa where he served with the 2e régiment de dragons, until transferred to the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regimentuntil 1943, when he was promoted to Captain on 25 June. In 1944, he made his way to London to serve with Charles De Gaulle and the 2nd Armored division.
2e DB and Compagnon did not see action on D-Day, but left Southhampton on July 29, 1944, and the division played an important role in theAllied breakout from Normandy, notably at the Falaise Pocket, when it destroyed the 9th Panzer Division. The division then was part of the liberation of Paris. In the push to the Rhine, Compagnon led the first French tank unit into Strasbourg where it fell on 23 November. In January 1945, Compagnon was wounded, but recuperated by the time the division reached the Berghof above Berchestgadsen on 4 May, along with the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division.
He started a new career as a historian and an author, publishing a biography of LeClerc in 1989, wrote accounts of the Normandy landings, and his memoir. He became a correspondent for Ouest-France, a university lecturer [3]. He was awarded the Grand-croix de la Legion d'honnoeur.
He was twice married, to Jacqueline Terilnden who died in 1963, with six children and secondly to Sylvie who survived him with one daughter.
Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta was a poet, editor, author, and teacher died from hypertension she was , 76. One of the country's most respected writers, Dimalanta published several books of poetry, criticism, drama, and prose and edited various literary anthologies.[1] In 1999, she received Southeast Asia's highest literary honor, the S.E.A. Write Award[2].
(June 16, 1932 – November 4, 2010)
Early years
Born in San Juan City in the Philippines, Dimalanta took up her Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and Doctor of Philosophy at theUniversity of Santo Tomas (UST). Trained as a concert pianist, Dimalanta focused on poetry, publishing her first collection of poems, Montagein 1974.
Career
Dimalanta served as the Writer in Residence[3] and a Full Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at the UST Graduate School and at the Faculty of Arts and Letters until her death. During her academic career, she held various administrative posts, including the position of Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters and Director of the Center for Creative Writing and Studies.[4]
A panelist for various writing workshops at UST, University of the Philippines, Silliman University in Dumaguete, and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan, Dimalanta served as a judge in prominent literary award-giving bodies such as the National Book Awards by the Manila Critics' Circle, Philippines Free Press Literary Awards, and Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.[5] This status, alongside her teaching experience, enabled her to reach and influence generations of journalists and creative writers like Recah Trinidad, Arnold Azurin, Cirilo Bautista, Albert B. Casuga, Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, Eric Gamalinda, Jose Neil Garcia, Mike Coroza, and Lourd de Veyra.
Dimalanta published several books in her lifetime: seven books on poetry, one on drama, one on criticism, and one on her collected prose. Her first collection of poems, Montage, won the Iowa State University Best Poetry Award (1969), and first prize (poetry category) in thePalanca Memorial Awards for Literature (1974).
She was a founding member and served as chairman of the Manila Critics Circle[6] and an honorary fellow of the Philippine Literary Arts Council. Poet and critic Cirilo F. Bautista hailed her as "not only our foremost woman poet but also one of the best poets writing now, regardless of gender."
Dimalanta also wrote critical reviews in international journals and local periodicals and taught at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and De La Salle University. The Ateneo de Manila University honored Dimalanta with the 13th Paz Marquez-Benitez Memorial Lecture and Exhibit which was organized by the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings (Aliww).[7]
In 2002, UST published Dimalanta's verse drama, "Lorenzo Ruiz, Escribano: A Play in Two Acts," with a Filipino translation by Florentino H. Hornedo and Michael M. Coroza. It was premiered on 22–24 February 1994 at UST in a production directed by Isagani R. Cruz.
Dimalanta lived with her family until her death in Navotas City.
Bibliography
Poetry
Montage (1974)
Time Factor (1983)
Flowing On (1988)
Lady Polyester (1993)
Love Woman (1998)
Passional (2002)
The Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta Reader, Volume 1, Poetry (2005)
Criticism
The Philippine Poetic
Anthology
Anthology of Philippine Contemporary Literature
Readings from Contemporary English
Prose
The Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta Reader, Volume 2, Prose (2006)
Drama
Lorenzo Ruiz, Escribano: A Play in Two Acts (2002)
Poet and Critic Best Poem Award from Iowa State University (1968)
Palanca Awards for Poetry (1974, 1983)
Fernando Maria Guerrero Award (1976)
Focus Literary Award for Fiction (1977, 1981)
Cultural Center of the Philippines Literature Grant for Criticism (1983)
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from the Writers' Union of the Philippines (1990)
Southeast Asia (SEA) Write Award from King Bhumibol of Thailand (1999)
Parangal Hagbong, University of Santo Tomas (2008)
In 1965 Duquesne became a Doctor of Law at the University of Liège. From 1965 to 1971 he served as an assistant lecturer in the Faculty of Law of that university. He was a practicising lawyer from 1965 to 1975 and again from 1988.
From 1975 to 1977 he was Deputy Secretary-General of the National Committee for Training and Further Training in Trade and Commerce. Frol 1977 to 1982 he served as general administrator of the National Committee for Coordination and Dialogue on Continuing Education for Small Businesses and the French-Speaking Institute for Continuing Training for Small Businesses. From 1983 to 1988 he was the Director of the National Fund for Professional Credit.
From 1973 to 1987 Duquesne served as an advisor and chief of staff to various liberal state secretaries and ministers. In 1988 he was elected a member of the Municipal Council of Manhay and was reelected in 1994 and 2000. He served until his resignation in 2003. From 1995 to 1999 he also served as mayor of Manhay. From 1994 to 2004 he was Chairman of the MR Federation of the Province of Luxembourg.
From 1987 to 1988 Duquesne served as Minister of Education. In 1988 Duquesne was elected a member of the Belgian Senate. In 1990 Duquense was made President of the PRL. In 1991 Duquesne was elected as a member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, re-elected in 1995 and 1999, and concurrently for a time served as a member of the Walloon Regional Council and the French Community Council (1991–1995). During this time he served as Quaestor (1995), Chairman of the Committee on Justice (1996–1999) and the Committee on Foreign Relations (1999) and Vice-President of the Chamber of Representatives and Chairman of the PRL-FDF parliamentary intergroup.
In the Verhofstadt I Government Antoine Duquesne served as the minister of the interior (1999–2003). In 2003–2004 Duquesne served as President of the MR. In 2003 Duquesne was elected to the Senate once more, served as Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Agriculture and Small Businesses, but he resigned in 2004 upon election to the European Parliament, in which he served 2004–2009. In 2006 Duquesne had a cerebral infarction which left him paralysed and unable to speak and which prevented him to fulfill his office of member of the European parliament for the remainder of his term or even to resign his mandate, as that formally required his signature, which he no longer was able to give.
James Randall Freud was born Colin Joseph McGlinchey, an Australian rock musician-songwriter commited suicide he was , 51. He was a member of Models during the 1980s and wrote their two most popular singles, "Barbados" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight".
His autobiographiesI am the Voice Left from Drinking (2002) and I am the Voice Left from Rehab (2007) detail his career in music entertainment and addictions. On 27 October 2010, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame by former member Wendy Matthews, Freud's absence from the ceremony was explained as being due to "another bicycle accident". Freud committed suicide on 4 November and is survived by his wife, Sally, and two sons, Jackson and Harrison.
( 29 June 1959 – 4 November 2010)
Biography
Early life
Freud was born as Colin Joseph McGlinchey on 29 June 1959 to Joe and Hannah McGlinchey and grew up in Melbourne.[1][2] His interest in music began before he started school. "From the time I was five, I realised that was what I wanted to do. My uncle gave me all Frankie Avalonrecords and I just loved them. That was it, that was all I wanted to do". His father left the family when Freud was in his early teens.[2] He attended St Thomas Moore Catholic Boys College.[1]
Despite his passion and musical talent, Freud's mother, Hannah, was against the idea. He later changed his name to James Randall Freud.[3] At age 17, Freud left to pursue his career and did not contact her for over two years. "We didn't communicate in any way until I could validate myself as a musician".[4]
Early career (1976–1982)
Freud formed his first band, Sabre, at the age of 16, with high school friend and guitarist Sean Kelly and drummer Ian McFarlane. Their first performance was at his younger sister's slumber party. After hearing the Sex Pistols' song "God Save the Queen" in 1977, Freud formed The Spred with Kelly, and three other members. Formed late in 1977, Teenage Radio Stars was a glam-punk band with Freud on lead vocals and guitar and Kelly on guitar and vocals.[5] When the opportunity came to record a single, "I Wanna Be Your Baby", later covered by Uncanny X-Men, two members were fired.
By early 1979, with ex-members of Colt, he formed James Freud & the Radio Stars with Murray Doherty on bass guitar, Roger Mason on keyboards, Glen McGrath on drums and Bryan Thomas on guitar, and later Tony Harvey playing guitar.[5][6] Later, Tony Lugdon (ex-Steeler) replaced Harvey on guitar and also provided keyboards.[5] Further changes by year's end resulted in Freud and Mason joined by Peter Cook on guitar and backing vocals, Tommy Hosie on drums and Mick Prague on bass guitar.[5] They signed with Mushroom Records and their debut single, "Modern Girl," was released in May 1980, which peaked at No. 12 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart.[5][7] They supported United Kingdom, New Romantics singer-keyboardist, Gary Numan, on his Australian tour. James Freud & the Radio Stars' debut album Breaking Silence was released in June, it was produced by Tony Cohen.[5][6]
Breaking Silence impressed Numan such that he offered to produce an album for Freud in the UK. Due to a UK band called The Radio Stars, a name change to James Freud & Berlin occurred. In October, they released "Enemy Lines" from Breaking Silence.[5] "Automatic Crazy", produced by Numan, followed in March 1981.[6] However, neither Freud nor Numan were happy with the London-recorded album and it was not released. One month later he disbanded the group.[5]
Models (1982–1988)
In 1982, Freud joined Models as bass guitarist after the departure of Mark Ferrie, reuniting with old collaborator Kelly.[8] Freud shared lead vocalist duties on some songs, beginning with one of his compositions, "Facing The North Pole in August" from The Pleasure of Your Company, recorded in 1983. In 1985, Two Freud-penned hits, "Barbados" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", took Models to No. 2 and No. 1 on the Australian singles chart, respectively. He remained in the band until they split in 1988.
Post-Models solo career (1989–2010)
In 1989, Freud went solo again, releasing Step into the Heat,[6] the most expensive album released by Mushroom Records up to that point. However, it was not successful. In his 2002 autobiography Freud blamed the low quality of the songs. After performing on pop music show, Countdown Revolution he criticised the show's format to music commentator, Ian Meldrum (creator and presenter on the earlier Countdown). Meldrum dismissed Freud with, "You're nothing but a fucking has-been. Look around you. See the new hosts of the show. They are the future of Australian music. You're on your way out now".[4][9]
Freud teamed with vocalist and guitarist Martin Plaza of Mental as Anything as the dance group Beatfish, releasing an eponymous record in 1992. In 1995, Freud canned his next proposed solo album, BigMouth, but some material was used on the Hawaiian surf-themedPostcard to Hawaii album released in 1996 by his next band, Moondog. Freud was the lead vocalist with Plaza and Phil Ceberano on guitar and backing vocals. In 1999, he performed "One Tony Lockett", an ode to the footballer Tony Lockett, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and released Today's Legends of AFL Football as James Freud & the Reserves.
Freud published his first autobiography in 2002, I Am the Voice Left from Drinking where he detailed his alcoholism and described how he nearly died on 24 March 2001 from alcohol poisoning and massive blood loss, "I was standing upon the wreckage of my youth; I probably wouldn't make it through the night and as I lay there, I couldn't help but wonder, 'How did I end up like this?'".[4][10]
In 2007 to 2009 Freud performed with Melbourne tribute band 80s Enuff at Melbourne's Crown Casino. In 2008, he released See You in Hell, which was to prove his last solo studio album. Prior to his death, Freud was manager for his sons' band, Attack of the Mannequins, and assisted them with the development of their debut album, Rage of the World.
Personal life
Freud married Sally Clifton in 1984. Sally has written four books including Thank You, Goodnight: A Backstage Pass to Australian Rock'n'roll(1997) on the music industry.[11][12] Together they had two sons, Jackson (born 1989) and Harrison Freud (born 1988).[2] The brothers formed their own rock band, Sonic Dogma, in 2005, which later became Attack of the Mannequins; the band was managed by Freud. His two autobiographies' titles, I am the Voice Left from Drinking (2002) and I am the Voice Left from Rehab (2007) refer to a lyric in the hit song "Barbados".[2] The books chronicle his descent into alcoholism and his subsequent recovery attempts. His widow and two children reside in Melbourne, Australia.[4]
Death
On 4 November 2010, Freud was found dead at his home in Hawthorn, Melbourne.[13] A week earlier, on 27 October, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame without Freud attending the ceremony. His absence was explained publicly as due to commitments to managing his sons' band. Privately, organisers were told that Freud would not attend because he could not be anywhere near alcohol. During the ceremony, Kelly explained the absence by saying Freud had "another bicycle accident".[14]
A statement by Michael Gudinski, whose Mushroom Records launched Freud's solo career and that of Models, said:
James' battle with alcoholism has been well chronicled. His two books on his recovery and five years' sobriety were bestsellers and gave a lot of people who were suffering the same affliction comfort and hope. Unfortunately, James has succumbed to his disease and taken his own life this morning.[14]
Freud, James (2002). I am the Voice Left from Drinking : the Models – from the 'Burbs to 'Barbados' and Beyond. Pymble, NSW: Harper Collins. ISBN0732274400.
On the stage, she created the role of Ariadne in the 1983 Broadway musical Merlin. She was the first Eponine in the second US tour of Les Misérables in 1988.
Nicastro has recorded four albums released on the Varese Saraband label. Two albums, Toonful and Toonful Too feature songs from animated musicals, Reel Imagination features songs from family musicals, and On My Own features songs from contemporary Broadway musicals, including her version of On My Own. They feature Paul Goldberg on drums and percussion, Walt Fowler on trumpet, Jimmy Hoff on bass, and Lanny Meyers piano/arranger.
Death
Nicastro died of breast and brain cancer on November 4, 2010 at her home with her family.[2] An episode of The Event originally aired November 15, 2010, is dedicated to her memory.
Anne Eugénie Blanchard was a Frenchsupercentenarian, who at the age of 114 years, 261 days was the oldest living person at the time of her death. She became the recognised titleholder upon the death of Japanese supercentenarian Kama Chinen on 2 May 2010. At the time of her death, Blanchard was (and still is) the 33rd oldest person ever verified, the 3rd oldest verified French person ever and theoldest verified person ever from the island of Saint Barthélemy (administratively and legally a part of Guadeloupe from 1878 until 2007), which is an overseas collectivity of France.
Blanchard was born in the Merlet neighborhood of St. Barths on 16 February 1896.[1] She was born only 18 years after the former Swedishisland of St. Barths was sold back to France. Blanchard was last survivor of thirteen brothers and sisters.[1]
Blanchard was described as generally in good health during her later years, despite the loss of her eye sight and her ability to speak.[1][2]She died in Saint Barth's on 4 November 2010, at the age of 114.
