R.I.P. - Alice Herz-Sommer

Alice Herz-Sommer, believed to be world's oldest Holocaust survivor, dies at 110

Go straight to G-D, Mrs. Herz-Sommer, and truly enjoy eternal peace and comfort...

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R.I.P. - Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis, Chicago actor, writer and director, dead at 69

"Best-known as an actor for 'Ghostbusters', 'Stripes', writer/director for 'Caddyshack', 'Groundhog Day'"

I really enjoyed his work, and he made a lot of people laugh. Godspeed, Mr. Ramis. Rest In Peace.

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The world

is a much darker and sadder place today.

Pete Seeger, folk singer and activist, dead at 94

I had a dream of meeting him one day, which I never realized. He was always an amazing man to me, and I hope to meet him in Heaven one day.

So very sad, but he lived his life in hope of a better world and worked all his days toward that goal. Goodnight, Mr. Seeger, and go swiftly to God...

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R.I.P. - David Frost

David Frost dies at 74; interviewed Nixon

Who doesn't remember David Frost?

Rest in Peace, Mr. Frost.

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R.I.P. - Roy Bonisteel

Canadian journalist and former CBC television host Roy Bonisteel dies at 83

A Canadian journalist who had some wonderful programs. He hasn't been seen on TV here for a whil, but when he was, I enjoyed his programs very much. A thoughtful journalist and broadcaster that will be missed...

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Cherish your friends

and your family. This life is over all too soon.

Rest in Peace, Cherie Woodworth; You Will Be Missed

Rest in Peace, Cherie Woodworth.

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R.I.P. - Doug Engelbart

...without whom none of us would be reading this on our computers the same way.

Doug Engelbart, inventor of computer mouse, dies at 88

Even though the article says that the use of the computer mouse is waning in an age where people use finger swipes to navigate, if that person is still using a desktop computer they're most likely using a mouse. There are still many, many of them in use throughout the world.

Rest in peace, Mr. Engelbart.

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R.I.P. - Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller, outlandish comedian, dies at 95

"Phyllis Diller, famed for her self-deprecating jokes, wild wardrobe and overstated laugh, made her comedy club debut at 37 and enjoyed a long career in clubs, movies and TV."

95! A good long life. Enjoy your rest, Ms. Diller, after a lifetime of making people laugh...

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R.I.P. - Ray Bradbury

Author Ray Bradbury dies, aged 91

Here's his Wikipedia entry.

He is certainly a writer who filled my mind with visions of other civilizations, other science, other futures and other realities while I was growing up and later, as an adult. I spent many, many hours enjoying his writing. I also mostly agree with him on the internet though I do use it (as you can see).

Rest in peace, Mr. Bradbury.

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R.I.P. - Fr. Len Cyr

I've known Fr. Len since his ordination, and I have always considered him one of the kindest, most generous and truly caring individuals I have ever met. He was the kind of person who really wanted to know you, and when he got to know you he would do anything he could for you.

He officiated at my marriage to SWMBO and gave us his guarantee. It's still working and still in effect.

I always enjoyed spending time with him. He had a terrific sense of humour and you never knew what joke he would come out with.

In his last years he suffered a great deal. He had been sick for a while as an adult and that sickness (leukemia) resulted in suffering and hospitalization. Surgery on his throat in his last years took away one of his greatest pleasures, singing. It was always so nice to sit and chat with him, and it was always so painful to sit and chat with him - that is, to see him suffering so stoicly and with such good humour. To say I truly loved him as a friend would not be an exaggeration.

Go swiftly go God, Fr. Len, and rest in his peace, finally freed from your suffering. Requiescant in pacem. Please pray for me to our Lord and Heavenly King!

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R.I.P. - Doc Watson

Another music pioneer is gone.

Doc Watson, Blind Guitar Wizard Who Influenced Generations, Dies at 89

Rest in peace, Doc.

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R.I.P. - Donald 'Duck' Dunn

Soul bassist Donald 'Duck' Dunn dies in Tokyo

Bass players aren't often regarded very highly outside of the music industry, but they're actually indispensable to most music's sound. In Soul and R & B this gentleman was the best, and the music world will miss him.

Rest in peace, Mr. Dunn, and thanks for all the wonderful music...

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R.I.P. - Peter John Burnell

Just a  very sad day. I've known Peter since he first came to teach at the university, and we spent many hours over coffee, tea and various meals, alone or at one time often in the company of Fr. Daniel Callam, visiting and discussing the affairs of the world, and closer, the affairs of the university and of our own lives in our walks with God. He was a man of generosity, warmth and tremendous humour, and he lived a simple life as a scholar, passing on his great love of things gone by, and things still relevant today.

He will certainly be missed, and I pray for the repose of his soul, and peace and comfort for all who knew him and were close to him. A day we knew was coming, but still a sad day.

Requiescant in Pacem, Peter. I'm sorry you're no longer here to correct my Latin.

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R.I.P. - Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak dies

"'In my books, I like children to be as ferocious, and inventive and troublesome as they are in real life'"

Rest in Peace, Mr. Sendak, and thanks for all the joy and discovery you've given the world.

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R.I.P. - Levon Helm

Levon Helm, Drummer and Gravel-Throated Singer for the Band, Is Dead at 71

This will most likely only mean something to you if you grew up in the 60s and 70s listening to contemporary rock music. Levon Helm was a terrific musician, and a member of one of rock music's most important groups of the era.

God bless you, Mr. Helm, and thank you for so much wonderful music...

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R.I.P. - Dick Clark

Another icon from my adolescence is gone...

Dick Clark dead at 82: American Bandstand host dies of heart attack

Rest in peace, Mr. Clark. You provided many, many hours of entertainment to a generation of North American kids...

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R.I.P. - Earl Scruggs

Earl Scruggs, legendary U.S. banjo player, dead at 88

Another inspiration, another fantastic musician, gone. Anyone growing up in the 60s and 70s heard his music. You didn't have to like bluegrass or country music to love his music. He was an artist, and an incredible talent. The world is a wee bit smaller today.

Mr. Scruggs, my prayer is for you to go swiftly to God to rest in His love. Thank you for many hours and years of wonderful music...

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R.I.P. - Fr. Jim Hanrahan

The world has lost a good, holy and very talented man.

Fr. Jim Hanrahan, a member of the Congregation of St. Basil, died last Wednesday. He was President of the College at our university that I attended and later worked for, and I always liked him. He was a talented, intelligent individual and I'm very certain that his presence will be missed.

Requiescat in Pacem, Fr. Jim. May God grant you rest after so many years in His service.

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R.I.P. - RIta Fuller

This past Friday,February 3, a wonderful woman passed away at a local hospital. She, her husband and her family, were our family friends for many years, and she was like a second Mom to me with all the time I spent at their house and all the secrets I shared with her that I couldn't tell my own parents. One of her children, my own age, became one of my best friends in high school. This weekend it was sad to see her whole family, about 50 people up to the great grandchildren, getting together for the prayers and funeral. I was honoured by being singled out in the eulogy with a funny event from the past that has apparently passed into the family lore. She was a good, holy person with many gifts, some of which she gave up with the onset of serious rheumatoid arthritis and the loss of the use of her hands. As a dear friend I loved her, and I will miss her.

Requiescat in Pacem, Mrs. Fuller, and rest in the gentleness and love of God's Kingdom.

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R.I.P. - Helen Campbell

The world has lost another good soul.

Helen was the mother of my best friend, Dan, who died a few years ago. Dan's death was a sad blow to her. She was a such a lovely person, and I always enjoyed visiting with her. She had wit and charm and we spent some very enjoyable hours with her and Harley.  I'm sure her wonderful dog Harley can't understand where his long-time companion has gone.

Helen moved to Ontario some time ago to live with her daughter and her family and I missed her then, though I will miss her more now knowing that she's gone from this earth.

Lord, have mercy on this kind soul and take her to eternal happiness with you in Heaven.

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