/ Stars that died in 2023

Friday, February 4, 2011

Peter Hofmann, German operatic tenor, died from dementia and Parkinson's disease he was , 66

 Peter Hofmann[1] was a German operatic tenor who also worked in the rock and musical theatre fields. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease since 1994, and ceased performing in 1999.

(22 August 1944 - 30 November 2010)

Hofmann was born in Marienbad (modern Mariánské Lázně,Czech Republic) and became a singer in a rock band before joining the army. During his military service he started studying singing which he continued to do in Karlsruhe. He made his opera debut in 1972 in Lübeck, as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte. He subsequently appeared in Stuttgart, Paris, Vienna, London, Chicago and San Francisco. he is best known for singing on the heldentenor roles of Wagner, he has performed Siegmund, Lohengrin, Parsifal, Tristan and Loge, notably at the Bayreuth Festival where he first appeared in 1976. He was heard at the Metropolitan Opera from 1980 to 1988, in Lohengrin, Parsifal, Die Meistersinger and Die Walküre.
From 1990 to 1991, he played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, in Hamburg.

Recordings

From Bayreuth, Hofmann appears as Siegmund in the 1980 Die Walküre (with Dame Gwyneth Jones as Brünnhilde) conducted by Pierre Boulez, in Patrice Chéreau's 1976 Ring production (Deutsche Grammophon), and in the title role of the 1982 Lohengrin (opposite Karan Armstrong as Elsa) conducted by Woldemar Nelsson (EuroArts), in Götz Friedrich's production.
In the studio, he made a remarkable 1978 recording of Die Zauberflöte under French conductor Alain Lombard with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Kathleen Battle which was surprisingly not widely distributed, then Fidelio (conducted by Sir Georg Solti, 1979), Parsifal (opposite Dunja Vejzovic's Kundry, led by Herbert von Karajan, 1979–80), Orfeo ed Euridice (1982) and Der fliegende Holländer (with José van Dam and Vejzovic, conducted by von Karajan, 1981–83). Hofmann is also heard in Leonard Bernstein's "live" recording of Tristan und Isolde (1981).
The 1986 live DVD performance under James Levine of Lohengrin gives some idea of Hofmann's physical appeal. He certainly looked the part of the Aryan Wagnerian figure with his piercing blue eyes, florid blond hair and a square-set facial features.

Light music career

In 1987, Hallmark published Songs for the Holidays featuring Hofmann and the soprano Deborah Sasson. At the same time as singing classic roles in opera, Hofmann was also making a number of pop albums selling well in Europe such as Rock Classics of 1987 and Love Me Tender: Peter Hofmann Sings Elvis Presley in 1992. By the late 1980s he had abandoned opera completely in favour of musical theatre, making 300 appearances in the show Phantom of the Opera in the Hamburg production of the early 1990s.
Peter Hofmann moved to live in Bayreuth and spent his time writing his autobiography and supporting research through the Peter Hofmann Parkinson Project.[2] He died in October 2010, at the age of 66.


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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Jim Kelley, American sportswriter and television journalist (Sports Illustrated), died from pancreatic cancer he was , 61

James Thomas "Jim" Kelley, Jr.  was a professional sports news columnist whose 30-year career focused primarily on the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League, and the greater Buffalo area. He started covering the Sabres in 1981 for The Buffalo News, and also went on to cover the Stanley Cup Finals for 23 straight years.

(October 26, 1949[1] – November 30, 2010)

Kelley also pursued other media besides newspaper writing. He originated the weekly "Hockey Night in Buffalo", as well as "Sharpshooters" on WNSA with partner Mike Robitaille. From time to time he continued to contribute various hockey articles to ESPN.com and FOXSports.com. His experience and knowledge of hockey led The Hockey News to proclaim him in 2002–03 as one of the "100 People of Power and Influence in Hockey."[2]
Kelley was a regular co-host on Prime Time Sports, a columnist for Sports Illustrated[3], and wrote a hockey column for Sportsnet.ca; he continued writing columns for Sportsnet up until his death, with his final column being published the day of his death.

Honors

Kelley was a three-time president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. He also won the 1994–95 New York State Publisher's Award for Sports Writing Excellence, and was named one of the top five hockey writers in North America by ESPN. He was chosen as a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Media Selection Committee, and a Staff Consultant to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. In 2004, Kelley earned one of hockey's highest honors, receiving the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. One year later, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.He will also be inducted in to the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame on January 1, 2011

Hašek incident

One of the most notorious moments of Kelley's career came in the 1996–97 NHL season, while he was covering the Buffalo Sabres' first round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators. After Sabres goaltender Dominik Hašek claimed to be injured with a knee pop in Game Three of the series, Kelley wrote a column the next day that accused Hašek of having "poor mental toughness."[4] After Game Five of the series, Kelley approached Hašek for an interview. When he saw Kelley, Hašek unexpectedly yelled at him, pushed him and subsequently ripped his shirt off. He later issued a formal apology to Kelley, and was suspended three games and fined $10,000 for his actions.[5]

Battle with cancer

In his Sportsnet.ca column on Christmas Eve 2009, Kelley revealed that he was battling pancreatic cancer.[6] He died at age 61 at Buffalo General Hospital on November 30, 2010.[7] Earlier that morning at 1:30 a.m. (EST), he filed his final column for Sportsnet.ca. The subject was the Toronto Maple Leafs' status on the two-year anniversary of the hiring of Brian Burke as its general manager.[8]

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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Gabriela Kownacka, Polish actress (Rodzina zastępcza), died from breast cancer.she was , 58

Gabriela Anna Kownacka, née Kwasz was a Polish film and theater actress, best known for playing in the Polish TV series Rodzina zastępcza.[1] Kownacka was a Lutheran.[2]
Gabriela Kownacka died on November 30, 2010, aged 58 from brain tumor[3]. On December 7, 2010, she was interred at the Evangelical Cemetery in Warsaw.[4]

(May 25, 1952 - November 30, 2010) 

Biography

W 1971 ukończyła III LO we Wrocławiu i zdała maturę . In 1971 she graduated from III LO Wrocław and passed a high school diploma . In the same year she got the acting department at the National Theatre School in Warsaw .  Being the first year she starred as Sophie in The Marriage of Andrzej Wajda .


Received a diploma of Dramatic Arts in 1975 with the title of Master of Arts dramatic actor. In the same year he embarked on the Theatre Square in Warsaw , where he debuted the title role in the art of Pepsi, Pierrette Bruno directed by the founder and director of this theater Edward Dziewońskiego . . Also in the same year in the Television Theatre she played Maggie in the art of Arthur Miller's After the fall, directed by Andrzej Lapicki .
 
In 1977 he received the Award. Zbigniew Cybulski for the role of Maggie and Countess Rita in leprous Jerzy Hoffman , and in 1979 the title of the Film Star of the Season in Lubuskie Film Summer in Lagow for her role as Anita in the musical comedy Hello Szpicbródka, the last king kasiarzy performance .
In 1978 he received the Erwin Axer proposal engagement at the Contemporary Theatre in Warsaw , then in 1983 from George Grzegorzewski , who made the team after assuming the management of the Studio Theatre in Warsaw .
 
  In 1983, she bore a son Francis. In 1998, even as an actress Studio Theatre, she played a guest at the National Theatre in the role of Sister Dora Halka Spinoza by Witkiewicz , directed by Jerzy Grzegorzewski. . By order of the President dated 22 August 2005 for achievements in artistic work has been awarded the Gold Cross of Merit [1] . In the same year during the Festival of Good Humor received a statuette of "bowler" for best actress comedy [2] .
In 2006 he has left his hand on Amber Promenade of Stars at the Star Festival in Gdansk [3] .
 She has appeared in more than 60 roles Television Theatre, and starred in over 40 theatrical productions around the country.

Illness and death

In 2004 the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer .
Several months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments have given a positive result, so could return to work on the set of the series Foster .
 
At the end of May and June 2008 there was a sudden recurrence of disease and health condition deteriorated very actress.  In March 2009, at the National Theatre held a charity concert, in which all income was spent on the treatment of actresses [4] .

November 30, 2010 died after six years of fighting against cancer [5] .
December 7, 2010 was buried in the cemetery of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Warsaw . The funeral was attended by Maja Komorowska , Joanna Szczepkowska , Golda Tencer , Ewa Ziętek , Marian Opania , Wojciech Malajkat and others [6] . Actor Martin Hycnar read a farewell letter on behalf of John Englert - Director of the National Theatre in Warsaw.

 Filmography

  • 1972: The Wedding - Zosia
  • 1975: Skazany - Kasia
  • 1976: Trędowata – Rita Szylinżanka
  • 1977: Ciuciubabka – Grażyna
  • 1977: Pani Bovary to ja
  • 1977: Rebus – Ania
  • 1977: Rekolekcje – Myszka
  • 1977: Szarada – Ewa
  • 1978: Hallo Szpicbródka – Anita
  • 1980: Urodziny młodego warszawiaka – Jadźka
  • 1980: Ukryty w słońcu – Joanna
  • 1980: Bo oszalałem dla niej – Sylwia
  • 1981: Dziecinne pytania – Bożena
  • 1981: Przypadki Piotra S. – prostitute
  • 1981: Spokojne lata – Iza
  • 1983: Nadzór – Danusia Wabik
  • 1984: Jak się pozbyć czarnego kota – Krystyna Danek
  • 1984: Pismak – Maria
  • 1984: Zamiana – Ola
  • 1985: Kronika wypadków miłosnych – Olimpia
  • 1985: Ga, ga. Chwała bohaterom – blondie woman
  • 1985: Żaglowiec – Michael's mother
  • 1985: Czarny kot
  • 1986: Nieproszony gość
  • 1987: Hanussen – wife
  • 1988: Niezwykła podróż Baltazara Kobera – Gertruda
  • 1989: Kapitał, czyli jak zrobić pieniądze w Polsce – Barbara
  • 1989: Yacht – wife
  • 1992: Smacznego telewizorku – Teresa Adler
  • 1992: Sauna – Masza
  • 1992: Zwolnieni z życia – Elżbieta
  • 1993: Les Nouveaux Exploits d'Arsene Lupin
  • 1995–1998: Matki, żony i kochanki – Dorota Padlewska-Lindner
  • 1996: Cesarska tabakierka – Baronowa
  • 1996: Dzieci i ryby – Ewelina
  • 1999: Fuks – Alex's mother
  • 1999: Kiler-ów 2-óch – president's wife
  • 1999: Rodzina zastępcza – Anna Kwiatkowska
  • 1999: Bratobójstwo
  • 2001: Pas de deux – Anna Struziakowa
  • 2002: Na dobre i na złe – Lidia Kornecka, menadżerka Niki
  • 2003: Powiedz to, Gabi – actress
  • 2006: Przebacz – mother
  • 2007: Dwie strony medalu – Jolanta Wysocka
  • 2007: Niania – herself

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J.E. "Pat" Patterson, American politician, mayor of Minden, Louisiana (1974–1978) died he was , 86

 Jacob E. Patterson, known as J.E. "Pat" Patterson , was a businessman who served as the Democratic mayor of the small city of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana, for a single term from 1974-1978   died he was , 86.[1]



(April 28, 1924 – November 30, 2010)

Background

Patterson's business interests included Tide Craft, Inc., a boat company previously known as Bayou Boats, which he purchased in the early 1960s. The company sustained three major fires, including one in 1970. In its heyday, Tide Craft consisted of a large office complex with Minden's first computer system, a showroom, and metal buildings for the production of large boats. The boats were shipped by 18 wheelers all over the United States and presented in show rooms nationwide. In 1974, Patterson sold Tide Craft and announced his bid for mayor.[1]

Tenure as mayor

It had then appeared that the incumbent Republican, Tom Colten, would not seek a third term. At the time, the office of mayor was under the city commission format, but by the end of the term to which Patterson would be elected, the city charter was altered to the mayor-council system. In 1973, Colten had proposed converting the full-time mayoral position to part-time so that he could accept a paid position with Minden's private hospital. The council refused to approve such a change to benefit one individual. Having first said that he would not run again, Colten changed his mind. For the first time ever, a full Republican slate filed for all municipal positions in the historically Democratic city.
Patterson defeated Colten, 3,186 (62.5 percent) to 1,914 (37.5 percent).[2] Not long afterwards, Colten relocated to Baton Rouge, where he subsequently accepted a position with the Department of Transportation and Development. Along with Patterson's election, a Republican, Felix Garrett (1922–1987), a university professor, won election as the city's last public utilities commissioner, having unseated the incumbent Fred T. "Tony" Elzen, by a 7-3 margin.[2] By 1978, the city council seats were allocated along single-member district lines, and Garrett became the first Republican on the revamped city council.
While Patterson was mayor, the city decided to retain its historic bricks overlaying Main Street but to remove them from Broadway Street so that they could be used for future repair or replacement parts as needed.[1]

Representative's race

Patterson did not seek re-election in 1978. Instead, he ran in a special election for Louisiana House of Representative District 10 seat vacated by R. Harmon Drew, Sr., who was elected to his former position as Minden city judge. Patterson ran third in the special election held on November 5, 1978. His 2,687 votes were 102 short of procuring a runoff election berth. The position went to Minden attorney Bruce M. Bolin, a son of Judge James E. Bolin.[3] At 11:30 p.m. on the night before the state House election, Patterson's son, Ricky G. Patterson (1951–1978), was shot to death under questionable circumstances, which was never resolved and are believed to have been foul play.[4]
In 1982, Patterson tried to regain the mayor's office but ran third in the nonpartisan blanket primary. His 1,207 votes were 239 short of the number needed to procure a general election berth against the eventual winner, fellow Democrat Noel "Gene" Byars, an educator.[5] The incumbent, Jack Batton, did not seek a second term.

Family

Patterson was married for more than sixty years to the former Sadie Grace Chanler (February 17, 1929–June 10, 2010). Both graduated in 1946 from Minden High School.[6] His graduation was delayed by service as a mailman in the United States Navy during World War II.[1] The couple also had a daughter, Connie Patterson, thereafter Carmen Valerie Patterson Yocom Paul (1948–2007), a businesswoman who died after a triple bypass heart surgery and a 33-day hospital stay. A 1966 Minden High School graduate, she was the widow of Robert Thomas "Tommy" Yocom, II (1947–1983), and thereafter married Stephen Ralph Paul (born July 22, 1949) of Bossier City.[7] A second daughter and only surviving child is Tanua Shurlaine Patterson Riley (born February 7, 1962) and husband, Samuel Keith Riley, both natives of Minden and residents in 2010 of Diboll, Texas.
Patterson died in Shreveport at the age of eighty-six. Services were held on December 3, 2010, at the First Pentecostal Church in Minden, with the Reverend Jeff Ramsey officiating. Patterson is interred beside his son and his wife, who preceded him in death by five months, at Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sibley in south Webster Parish.[1]

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Dave Skrien, American CFL football player (Roughriders, Blue Bombers) and coach (BC Lions, Roughriders), died from complications from Alzheimer's disease he was , 81

David A. Skrien[1] [2] was a Canadian Football League player and coach died from complications from Alzheimer's disease he was , 81.

(April 4, 1929 – November 30, 2010)

Skrien graduated from Morris High School (1946) and Minnesota (1950) where he played fullback and linebacker. He played two seasons in the CFL before becoming a coach.
Skrien's first coaching job was at Albert Lea High School where he spent one season as head coach. From there he served as an assistant at Ball State and Minnesota before returning to the CFL as the BC Lions backfield coach in 1959. Skrien was elevated to the Lions' head coaching position during the 1961 season after an 0–6–1 start. In his six seasons as the Lions head coach, Skrien's teams had a record of 42–47–5 and played in two Grey Cup Games, winning one (52nd). He also won the Annis Stukus Trophy in 1963 as the CFL coach of the year. Skrien was fired in 1967 after an 0–5 start.
After one season as an assistant coach at Boise State College, Skrien returned to the CFL as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Eskimos. When head coach Neill Armstrong left the Eskimos at the end of the season, management decided to promote the less experienced Ray Jauch to the head coaching position and Skrien did not return to Edmonton.
On December 29, 1970, Skrien was hired by the Saskatchewan Roughriders to replace head coach Eagle Keys. In his two seasons in Regina, the Roughriders had a 16–14–1 record and made the 1972 Grey Cup. Skrien resigned following the 1972 season.
In 1975, Skrien was hired by former CFL coach and executive Leo Cahill to coach the offensive backfield of the Memphis Southmen, which included Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. After the World Football League folded, Skiren returned to his native Minnesota to coach Golden Valley Lutheran College. One of his players at GVLC was Nelson Simpson, who later wrestled under the name Nikita Koloff. In 1988, Skiren returned to his alma mater Minnesota as a football administrative assistant and recruiting coordinator. He retired after the 1995 season, but remains involved with Golden Gophers football.

Death

Skrien died in a nursing home in Mound, Minnesota on November 30, 2010 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 81 years old. [3]

CFL coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Result
BC 1961 1 7 1 .125 5th in Western Football Conference - - Missed Playoffs
BC 1962 7 9 0 .438 4th in Western Football Conference - - Missed Playoffs
BC 1963 12 4 0 .750 1st in Western Football Conference 2 2 Lost Grey Cup
BC 1964 11 2 3 .846 1st in Western Football Conference 3 1 Won Grey Cup
BC 1965 6 9 1 .400 4th in Western Football Conference - - Missed Playoffs
BC 1966 5 11 0 .313 5th in Western Football Conference - - Missed Playoffs
BC 1967 0 5 0 .000 5th in Western Football Conference - - Fired
SSK 1971 9 6 1 .600 2nd in Western Football Conference 1 2 Lost in Conference Finals
SSK 1972 8 8 0 .500 3rd in Western Football Conference 2 1 Lost Grey Cup

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Ted Sorel, American actor (Guiding Light, Law & Order), died from complications from Lyme disease he was , 74

Ted Sorel  was an American actor whose numerous credits included Guiding Light, Law & Order and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appeared in film and Broadway productions died from complications from Lyme disease he was , 74.

(November 14, 1936 - November 30, 2010) 


Sorel was born Theodore Eliopoulos in 1936 in San Francisco, California.[1] He later adopted the professional name of Ted Sorel.[1] His family had originally immigrated to the United States from their village of Kyparissi, Laconia, in Greece.[1] Sorel would later renovate his grandfather's home in Kyparissi during his life. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.[1]
Sorel resided in Katonah, New York, for much of his acting career.[1] He died of complications of Lyme disease at the Lillian Booth Actors' Home in Englewood, New Jersey, on November 30, 2010, at the age of 74.[1]

Family

He was survived by his wife, the actress Jacqueline Coslow (the daughter of the late actress Esther Muir and late composer Sam Coslow); two children and a granddaughter.[1

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Monty Sunshine British clarinetist (Chris Barber Orchestra), died he was , 82,

Monty Sunshine [1] was an English jazz clarinetist, whose main claim to fame was his clarinet solo on the track "Petite Fleur", a million seller for the Chris Barber Jazz Band in 1959 died he was , 82,.[1] Sunshine variously worked with The Eager Beavers, The Crane River Jazz Band, Beryl Bryden, George Melly, Chris Barber, Johnny Parker, Diz Disley and Donegan's Dancing Sushine Band.[1]

(9 April 1928 – 30 November 2010)

Biography

Born in Stepney, London,[1] he along with Lonnie Donegan, Jim Bray and Ron Bowden, formed the back line of what was the embryo Chris Barber Band. Ken Colyer was the first trumpet player, with Sunshine on clarinet, and the original 1953 band took the Colyer name until there was a split from Colyer in May 1954. Pat Halcox - who only turned the band down originally as he wanted to carry on his studies - took over the spot, and the band formally adopted the Chris Barber Jazz Band as its title.
The band quickly made an international reputation following their inaugural tour of Denmark, before their professional debut in the United Kingdom. Sunshine stayed with the band for several years, until he left around 1960, to be replaced by Ian Wheeler.[2]

He formed his own band, staying true to the original six man line up, whilst Barber expanded his band membership to seven, then eight and finally to eleven.
In January 1963, the British music magazine NME reported that the biggest trad jazz event to be staged in Britain had taken place at Alexandra Palace. The event included George Melly, Diz Disley, Acker Bilk, Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Ken Colyer, Alex Welsh, Bob Wallis, Bruce Turner, Mick Mulligan and Sunshine.[3]
Sunshine returned to play a reunion concert with the original Chris Barber Band at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon in June 1975. This was well received, and the band reformed once again for a international reunion tour in 1994. Sunshine retired from music around 2001.
Monty Sunshine's discography is extensive, and CDs have been issued of recordings with Colyer and Barber, as well as with his own band.
He died in November 2010, at the age of 82.[1]

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Dickey Betts died he was 80

Early Career Forrest Richard Betts was also known as Dickey Betts Betts collaborated with  Duane Allman , introducing melodic twin guitar ha...