Rest in Peace

[jdobbin]

It seems we don't get to mention some of the people who have recently died and it seems a shame not to remember them.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/AL...RsbTdJhwX5TpQgA

When Don Chevrier realized he would never play sports at the highest level, he found another way to the big show.

The journey took the broadcaster with the big voice around the globe, from the baseball diamond to the Olympics to some of the biggest boxing matches.

"I realized early that I would not be a good athlete so the next best thing was to broadcast sports," he told The Canadian Press in a 2004 interview.

Chevrier, a longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster whose career spanned some two dozen sports, died Monday at his home in Palm Harbor, Fla., a spokesman for the family said Tuesday. He was 69.

Chevrier had suffered from a blood disorder and was recently admitted to hospital before being released a few days later.

"We were saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and universally respected colleague Don Chevrier," said Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics.

"As anyone who knew him can attest, Don was one of the true gentlemen in our business. Our condolences go out to his family. Don will be sorely missed."

Chevrier was Mr. Versatile for a slew of networks - both TV and radio. One count had Chevrier's broadcast resume at 21 different sports, including team handball at the 1976 Olympics.

I don't think that there is a Canadian or American who watched or listened to sports who hadn't heard Chevrier call a game. His voice will be missed.

[Shakeyhands]

funny tht you say that about his voice... I must be a little off or something, I couldn't figure out who he was until I saw his picture.

[jdobbin]

Quite a sad day for Canadian music.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Internationally renowned Canadian jazz pianist and trumpet player Oscar Peterson has died.

The 82-year-old died at his Mississauga, Ont. home on Sunday from kidney failure and other complications following a stroke several years ago, sources have confirmed.

In many countries that I have travelled to, they knew Canadian hockey and many had heard of Oscar Peterson. It was funny how I would be sitting in a bar in Tokyo, a restaurant in Moscow or on the beach in Waikiki and I'd hear the strains of Peterson's swinging piano or the sound of his horn.

He was an incredible Canadian and will be missed.

[jdobbin]

Some of the other commentary on Petersons's passing.

The French President issued a statement and on the radio they said today that condolences are coming from round the world.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/071224/...terson_chretien

Years later Chretien brought Peterson to an Ottawa event where Mandela was named an honourary Canadian citizen.

During a private meeting, Chretien recalled, the revolutionary political figure glowed upon meeting the great pianist.

"It was very emotional," Chretien told The Canadian Press in an interview Monday.

"They were both moved to meet each other. These were two men with humble beginnings who rose to very illustrious levels."

In fact he says that when he first met Peterson in the 1960s, his level of international fame was without parallel among his countrymen.

"He was the most famous Canadian in the world," Chretien said.

In an illustration of Peterson's worldwide celebrity, the French government issued a statement reacting to his passing even before the Canadian government did.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said one of the bright lights of jazz had been extinguished.

"He was a regular on the French stage, where the public adored his luminous style," Sarkozy said. "It is a great loss for us."

The Canadian government also produced a written statement Monday saluting Peterson as a "jazz icon."

Edited December 25, 2007 by jdobbin

[guyser]

Some of the other commentary on Petersons's passing.

And yet , a victim of racism in his own neighbourhood , Mississauga.

RIP Oscar.

[jdobbin]

Don Wittman, sportscaster dead at 71. Longtime Winnipeg and national sportscaster was the voice of football, hockey and the Olympics for decades. Because of his perceived bias against his hometown team in Winnipeg, he was called Witless for not seeing goals that even replays showed were scored.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/obit_craft_wittman

Don Wittman, whose smooth baritone voice called some of Canada's most significant sports, has died of cancer. He was 71.

For more than 40 years, Wittman was a familiar face on CBC television. He did the play-by-play for Grey Cups and Stanley Cups, plus covered curling, golf and track and field. He was a fixture at both summer and winter Olympics.

"He is truly a first-generation television sports legend. He's one of the pioneers of our industry," Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports, said in January.

"He has done almost everything and done it all well."

Wittman died early Saturday morning in a Winnipeg hospital surrounded by his family.

"The family wishes to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of support Don received from friends, colleagues and fans. Thanks to everyone for respecting our privacy at this time," Wittman's family said in a statement on the CBC's website.

It was Wittman who called Ben Johnson's steroid-fuelled 100-metre victory at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and he was on hand when Donovan Bailey sprinted to gold in the same event in 1996 at Atlanta.

CBC broadcaster Scott Russell, who worked with Wittman at several Olympic and Canada Games, called him "the most unselfish broadcaster I've ever worked with."

He was unrecognizable several days ago when he received a sports broadcasting honour. Cancer had ravaged his body.

[jazzer]

I remember having a drink with Whitman way back in 1975 when he was covering the Canada Winter Games. He was one of about three patrons in a lounge where I was playing. Nice fellow.

[jdobbin]

Heath Ledger, dead at 28.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/...dead/index.html

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday of a possible drug overdose in a Lower Manhattan apartment, the New

Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment.

The Academy Award nominated actor was 28.

"Pills were found in the vicinity of the bed," police spokesman Paul Browne told CNN.

"This is being looked at as a possible overdose, but that is not confirmed yet."

The pills appeared to be over-the-counter sleeping medication, said police spokeswoman Barbara Chen.

Ledger was unresponsive when he was found by a housekeeper who had gone to wake him for an appointment with a masseuse in the Soho apartment, Browne said.

Part of the Hollywood destructive crowd. To add to the shame, he dies at an Olson twin house.

Edited June 13, 2008 by jdobbin

[Melanie_]

Heath Ledge, dead at 28.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/...dead/index.html

Part of the Hollywood destructive crowd. To add to the shame, he dies at an Olson twin house.

I'm not a real Hollywood follower, despite my recent posts re: Woody Allen/Mia Farrow/Soon Yi Previn. But this is so sad, not just because he was an Oscar nominated actor, but because he was a young man, with everything to live for. I'll be watching for the autopsy results, while at the same time chastising myself for contributing to the exploitation of his death. God help me if I actually buy a magazine - I'll be on the slippery slope to hell.

[jdobbin]

Tim Russert, dead of a heart attack at 58.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/

Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after a sudden heart attack at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” program when he collapsed, the network said. He and his family had recently returned from Italy, where they celebrated the graduation of Russert’s son, Luke, from Boston College.

I really enjoyed his program. It was essential political viewing on the weekend and he did it with humour, seriousness and fairness. Very sad indeed.

I don't think I've felt as large a hole in the news media since Peter Jennings.

[Shakeyhands]

Tim Russert, dead of a heart attack at 58.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/

I really enjoyed his program. It was essential political viewing on the weekend and he did it with humour, seriousness and fairness. Very sad indeed.

I don't think I've felt as large a hole in the news media since Peter Jennings.

Wow, thats crazy. Poor family. I enjoyed his style.

[Guest American Woman]

RIP, George Carlin. You'll be missed.

Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television. Some People Are Stupid. Stuff. People I Can Do Without. George Carlin, who died of heart failure Sunday at 71, leaves behind not only a series of memorable routines, but a legal legacy: His most celebrated monologue, a frantic, informed riff on those infamous seven words, led to a Supreme Court decision on broadcasting offensive language. link

[jdobbin]

RIP, George Carlin. You'll be missed.

Let's not forget Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!

[Fortunata]

Outrageous Fortune!

Too bad, he was very funny.

[GostHacked]

I spent many a nights with good friends watching George Carlin. This guy should have done movies with Cheech and Chong. IF he did, I wanna know about them.

[jdobbin]

Old Velcro lips is dead.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.ht...f7-f526a47ac2a2

The brother of actor Leslie Nielsen, Erik Nielsen was an aggressive showman on the political stage, including his years as Opposition House leader after Clark lost power in 1980. Among other things, he engineered what became known as the "Bell Ringing Affair" to protest the ruling Liberal government's omnibus energy bill, a move that halted the business in the Commons for three weeks because opposition MPs refused to respond to the bell summoning them to the House.

[jdobbin]

Paul Newman dead at 83.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Hollywood legend Paul Newman, who won accolades for his roles in films such as "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Sting," has died at age 83.

Newman, who had been battling cancer, passed away at his home near Westport, Conn., on Friday with family and friends by his side.

He was quite the presence in film. I particularly like him partnered with Redford.

[August1991]

I particularly like him partnered with Redford.

I didn't like Butch Cassidy. And The Sting, on recent viewing, doesn't hold up. The story is marvelous but the execution, in modern eyes, is too 1960s hokey.

Paul Newman was a short guy with striking, cool blue eyes. Cool? "What we have here... is a failure to communicate".

[jbg]

Paul Newman lived about 40 kms from me. He will be missed.