Notable deaths in August 2020

Who Died In August 2020 ?

The following deaths of notable individuals occurred in August 2020. Death list of celebrities, politicians,singers,actors,artists,writers,athletes,painters,diplomats,Olympic champions,playwrights,wrestlers,football players,ice hockey players,basketball players,composers and other famous peoples who sadly passed away in August 2020. 

  August 1, 2020

Alex Dupont, 66

(Born: 30 June 1954 - Died: 1 August 2020)

 

was a French football manager and player (Dunkerque, Sedan, Ajaccio). Alex Dupont died at the age of 66 after a heart attack announced the Voix du Nord, he who had stopped training after leaving Brittany at the end of the 2015-2016 season .He coached Dunkerque, Charleville, Boulogne, Gueugnon, with whom he won the Coupe de la Ligue in 2000, Sedan, Laval, Amiens. He managed Brest since 2009, when he took over from Gérald Baticle. Before that, he had been a player and then coach of Dunkirk, his hometown. On June 2012, Dupont was named as head coach of Ligue 1 side AC Ajaccio. Alex Dupont was sacked by Ajaccio on 17 December 2012. He returned to manage Brest in 2013. At the end of the 2015–16 season, his expiring contract with the Ligue 2 side was not renewed. French football has just lost a coach who left his mark in the world of football. It was he who led Gueugnon, a second division club, during the League Cup coronation in 2000, against PSG of Laurent Robert and Ali Benarbia (2-0). He also coached Sedan in the elite or even Stade Brestois which he himself had brought up to Ligue 1 in 2010.

 

Cause of death: heart attack

 

Stan Mellor, 83

(Born: 10 April 1937 – Died: 1 August 2020)

 

was a British National Hunt jockey and horse trainer, Champion Jockey (1960–1962). Stan Mellor, the first jump jockey to ride 1,000 winners, has died aged 83.The three-time champion jockey was one of the few riders to triumph in a race against Arkle. He would probably have added a fourth title in 1962-63 but for suffering serious facial injuries in an early fall near the head of affairs on Eastern Harvest in the inaugural running of what is now the Betfair Hurdle, which was run that year at Aintree and attracted a field of 41. Mellor guided Stalbridge Colonist to victory against the legendary Irish racehorse in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup. He had a successful training career and saddled both Royal Mail (1980) and Lean Ar Aghaidh (1987) to win the Whitbread Gold Cup. Born to a timber merchant in Manchester, Mellor secured his first win at 16 on Straight Border in Wolverhampton before tasting success for the first time as a professional on Wirswall Prince at Ludlow in 1954. He retired in 1971 having ridden 1,035 winners over jumps in Britain with another nine victories in Ireland.He proceeded to land more than 750 races as a trainer, with his best horses including King’s Curate, winner of the 1991 Stayers’ Hurdle, and Pollardstown, in the race now known as the Aintree Hurdle in 1980.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

 

Rickey Dixon, 53

(Born: December 26, 1966 – Died: August 1, 2020)

 

was an American football player (Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Raiders, Oklahoma Sooners), Jim Thorpe Award winner (1987). Rickey Dixon, the former Oklahoma star cornerback who battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for the last several years, died at the age of 53 according to former Sooners coach Barry Switzer. Dixon, had battled ALS over the final years of his life, and had also been a prominent figure in the class-action concussions lawsuit against the NFL. Dixon won the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back in 1987 and was a consensus All-American that year. He was an all-Big Eight player in 1986 and 1987. In the 1987 game against No. 1 Nebraska, Dixon had two interceptions to help the No. 2 Sooners to a 17-7 win. Dixon's nine interceptions during the 1987 season remain an OU record and his 17 career interceptions are second in school history behind Darrell Royal. After becoming the fifth overall pick in the 1988 NFL draft, Dixon spent five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one season with the Los Angeles Raiders. Upon the conclusion of his playing career, he returned to Texas to become a physical education teacher. Dixon finished his career with 170 total tackles and 17 interceptions (second only to Darrell Royal for the school record). During his senior year, he had nine interceptions for 232 yards which remain school records for the Sooners. Dixon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

 

Cause of death: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

 

David Darcy, 76

(Born: 11 August 1943 – Died: 1 August 2020)

 

was an Australian rules football player (Western Bulldogs, South Adelaide) and coach. David, the father of former Dogs’ captain and current Director, Luke, died at the age of 76. David Darcy played 133 games and kicked 47 goals for Footscray in two stints, from 1963-66, and from 1968-71. He represented Victoria four times, and also spent four seasons with South Adelaide in the SANFL, including two years as captain-coach. David’s career at the Bulldogs allowed the Club to use the father-son rule to recruit his son Luke in the 1992 AFL Draft. Luke went on to enjoy a brilliant 14-year career in the red, white and blue.He started his career at half forward but in his second season moved to defence where he excelled. As a key position defender he went on to represent Victoria on four occasions. Darcy is the father of former Bulldogs player and current football commentator Luke Darcy. His death was confirmed by his former club, Westernbulldogs in an official statement released via their webiste.

 

Cause of death: unknown

 

Wilford Brimley, 85

(Born: September 27, 1934 – Died: August 1, 2020)

 

was an American actor (The Natural, The Thing, Cocoon) and singer. Wilford Brimley, the mustachioed actor who appeared on the big screen, television shows and Quaker Oats commercials, has died. He was 85. Brimley died Saturday while hospitalized in St. George, Utah, his manager Lynda Bensky told. He'd been at the ICU, where he was getting treatment for medical problems and was on dialysis. Wilford Brimley, who worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films. After serving in the Marines and taking on a variety of odd jobs, he became an extra for Western films, and in little more than a decade he had established himself as a character actor in films such as The China Syndrome (1979), The Thing (1982), Tender Mercies (1983) and The Natural (1984). He was the long-time face of television advertisements for the Quaker Oats Company. He also promoted diabetes education and appeared in related commercials for Liberty Medical. Brimley's best-known work was in "Cocoon," in which he was part of a group of seniors who discover an alien pod that rejuvenates them. The 1985 Ron Howard film won two Oscars, including a supporting actor honor for Don Ameche.

 

Cause of death: kidney disease

 

  August 2, 2020

Leslie Randall, 95

(Born: 19 October 1924 – Died: 2 August 2020)

 

was an English film and television actor, writer and comedian. Leslie Randall, who has died aged 95, was best known for the TV show Joan and Leslie, ITV’s first sitcom, which began in 1955. Leslie Randall was born on October 19, 1924 in South Shields, Durham, England. He had a mammoth 62-year career in the business. He was evacuated to family in Darlington during the blitz. After that, he returned to London and worked as a trainee journalist with an Australian newswire, and in 1943 he joined the RAF. He survived a death-defying tour of duty when, as a newly qualified pilot officer bomb aimer. He appeared in the 1963 film version of Billy Liar where he played Danny Boon, and as Reggie Wilkie in episodes of Emmerdale, (1999–2000), as well as episodes of The Monkees, and I Dream of Jeannie. His comedy play Forty Love, premiered at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, Guildford, in 1975, then toured for six months before opening in the West End at the Comedy theatre.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

 

Keith Pontin, 64

(Born: 14 June 1956 – Died: 2 August 2020)

 

was a Welsh footballer (Cardiff City, Barry Town, national team). Former Cardiff and Wales defender Keith Pontin dies aged 64 following five-year battle with dementia, which his family believe was caused by his playing career. Pontin came through Cardiff's youth ranks before making his senior debut in 1976. Pontin began his career with Cardiff City, making nearly 200 league appearances and earning two caps for the Welsh national team. He later played for Merthyr Tydfil and Barry Town. Pontin, who made his Bluebirds debut on the opening day of the 1976-77 season and won two senior caps for his country in 1980, was diagnosed with dementia when he was 59. During the 1981–82 season he played in more matches than any other player in the squad but couldn't stop the club from being relegated. After a falling out with Bluebirds boss Len Ashurst the following year, Pontin left Ninian Park for Merthyr Tydfil and would later finish his career off with a spell at Barry Town.Cardiff posted on Twitter on Sunday afternoon: 'It's with great sadness that the club has learned of the passing of former Bluebird, Keith Pontin. He won two Wales caps, making his debut in the famous 4-1 win over England in 1980. In 2018 the family of Pontin, who was diagnosed with dementia three years earlier, said ex-players are being "forgotten" by the authorities.

 

Cause of death: dementia

 

Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, 69

(Born: 6 May 1951 – Died: 2 August 2020)

 

was a Kazakh wrestler, Olympic champion (1980). The famous Kazakh wrestler and Olympic champion Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov has passed away, Kazinform correspondent reports. Forty years ago Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov became the winner of the Olympics in Moscow. The Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aktoty Raimkulova expressed her condolences in connection with the death of the famous Kazakh athlete. Ushkempirov won an Olympic gold medal in 1980 and a world title in 1981. Ushkempirov took up wrestling in 1969 and won the Soviet title in 1975 and 1980. After retiring from competitions he worked as director of a sports school in Almaty in 1984–1993. In 1993 he founded the sports club Zhaksylyk and served as its president. Since 2001, an annual junior wrestling tournament has been held in Almaty in his honor.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 3, 2020

Shirley Ann Grau, 91

(Born: July 8, 1929 – Died: August 3, 2020)

 

was an American writer (The Keepers of the House), Pulitzer winner (1965). A Pulitzer Prize-winning Louisiana author passed away Monday, August 3 due to complications brought on by a stroke. According to The New Orleans Advocate, Metairie-based author, Shirley Ann Grau, died at a Kenner health care facility. Grau's career spans an impressive fifty years, during which she penned six novels, four collections of short stories and a teleplay. Grau completed her high school education at the Ursuline Academy in New Orleans before attending Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University, where she pursued a degree in literature. Her first book was published in 1956 and her later novel, “The Keepers of the House,” was the work of fiction that earned her the renowned Pulitzer award. Before ''The Black Prince'', her first collection of short stories, was published, Grau had placed three of the stories. “Joshua” was first published in The New Yorker, “White Girl, Fine Girl” in New World Writing, and “The Black Prince” in The New Mexico Quarterly. The stories in this collection range from the fantasy of “The Black Prince” to the bayou folk of “Joshua.” Her writing explores issues of death, destruction, abortion, and miscegenation, frequently set in the past in Alabama or Louisiana.

 

Cause of death: stroke

John Hume, 83

(Born: 18 January 1937 – Died: 3 August 2020)

 

was an Northern Irish politician, Member of Parliament (1983–2005), Member of the European Parliament (1979–2004) and Foyle Members of the Legislative Assembly(1998–2000), Nobel laureate (1998). John Hume, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, has died aged 83. He died in a Londonderry nursing home following a long period of illness. A founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mr Hume was named ‘Ireland’s Greatest’ person in the country’s history in a public poll in 2010. He started his political activism in the civil rights movement in the late 1960s, joining MPs in a 48-hour hunger strike to protest at the internment without trial of hundreds of suspected Irish republicans. In the late 1980s, Mr Hume took considerable risks for peace by holding talks with the then leader of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams. Mr Hume played a major role in the peace talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Tributes have been paid across the board by political leaders past and present, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in office when the peace deal was signed. "John Hume was a political titan; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past," Mr Blair said. Hume was a native of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was the second leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), a position he held from 1979 until 2001. He was regarded as one of the most important figures in the recent political history of Ireland and one of the architects of the Northern Ireland peace process. He was also a recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award.

 

Cause of death: unknown (dementia?)

Ralph Barbieri, 74

(Born: 1946 - Died: 3 August 2020)

 

was a American sports radio host. Former KNBR host Ralph Barbieri has died at age 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. The Chronicle reported that Barbieri, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2005 and let go by KNBR in 2012, died at his home in Novato. He spent 28 years at KNBR (680 AM). Over the final 15, he teamed with Tom Tolbert on a popular afternoon show called “The Razor and Mr. T.” Barbieri was dubbed “Razor Voice” many years ago by the late Chronicle columnist Herb Caen because of his raspy, high-pitched delivery. The nickname, which may have also been inspired by his surname's resemblance to "barber," was given to him by longtime San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. In 2007, Barbieri renewed his four-year contract with KNBR through November 2011. Barbieri was known to end his show with, "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly," a quote from Gilbert K. Chesterton. Critics found Barbieri’s interview questions interminable and thought he was too easy on his subjects. He thought his approach allowed listeners to know his subjects better than they would have had he been more confrontational. In any case, his show drew a loyal audience. Barbieri was reportedly a vegetarian and a believer in animal rights. In 2004, the American Diabetes Association named Ralph Barbieri one of five "Bay Area Father of the Year" award winners.

 

Cause of death: Parkinson's disease

Sean Martin, 59

(Born: December 29, 1960 – Died: August 3, 2020)

 

was an American-Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and graphic designer. Sean Martin (born December 29 1960 in Hereford Texas) is a Canadian cartoonist illustrator and graphic designer best known for the Doc and Raider comic strip series which appeared in LGBT publications in the 1980s and 1990s. Martin lived in New York and San Francisco before moving to Canada in 1986. He took Canadian citizenship in 1989 living in Vancouver Toronto and Calgary. He published the first Doc and Raider strips in a Vancouver gay publication in 1987. He published two books collecting strips: Doc and Raider: ''Caught on Tape'' (1994) and ''Doc and Raider: Incredibly Lifelike'' (1996). He retired the regular strip in 1997, but drew two five-page stories for the Little Sister's Defence Fund. Martin has written a manual for theatre designers, Big Show Tiny Budget, based on his years as a scenic and costume designer, a novella Triptych, and adaptations of classic theatre scripts. His work was honoured in 2001 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Gay Rodeo Association. Martin's illustration work for Candide is part of the permanent Voltaire collection at the University of Wittenberg.

 

Cause of death: pancreatic cancer

Michael Peter Smith, 78

(Born: September 7, 1941 - Died: August 3, 2020)

 

was an American, Chicago-based singer-songwriter. A gentle force in folk music, Chicago musician Michael Smith is dead at 78. Rolling Stone once called him "The greatest songwriter in the English language", and earlier this month, the American Songwriter online magazine fairly compared him to the recently deceased John Prine, writing that both men “imbued their songs with heartfelt, sentimental tenderness. Each of them wrote lyrics of unforced grace and elegance, using language wistful and concise to create genuinely poignant songs.” He sang and composed from the 1960s, and his rich and challenging songs have been recorded by more than 30 performers. He was born Sept. 7, 1941 in South Orange, N.J., then a rowdy factory town that would have a profound influence on his music. He spent $15 to buy his first guitar and was soon performing in a series of local bands. He is best known for writing "The Dutchman", which was popularized by Steve Goodman and also recorded by Brendan Grace, Suzy Bogguss, Celtic Thunder, Liam Clancy, Gamble Rogers, Anne Hills, Mara Levine and Si Khan, Norm Hacking, Bernard Wrigley, John McDermott, Tom Russell, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert James Waller, Josh White Jr.,and the New Kingston Trio. In 2009, Smith won the International Hans Christian Andersen Prize (Copenhagen) for The Snow Queen.

 

 

Cause of death: colon cancer

  August 4, 2020

Dick Goddard, 89

(Born: February 24, 1931 – Died: August 4, 2020)

 

was an American television meteorologist, author, cartoonist, and animal activist.

Weatherman Dick Goddard, one of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved television personalities, died Tuesday at 89 years old, his daughter, Kimberly, confirmed to WJW-TV Fox 8. Dick Goddard, a man with a warm smile, a fierce intellect, and always a place in his big heart for any animal in need, lived much of his life as a legend in his hometown – yet never forgot his humble beginnings. Born in the Depression, February of 1931, Dick grew up in what was then known as Greenberg – what is now the city of Green in Summit County. For over five decades, he served as the evening meteorologist at WJW-TV, the Fox Broadcasting Company-affiliated television station in Cleveland, Ohio. He holds the Guinness World Record for longest career as a weather forecaster after passing Canadian meterologist Peter Coade. Goddard was a local meteorologist for more than 50 years. From August 1977 to January 1979, Goddard also hosted WJW's version of Bowling for Dollars, a syndicated franchised game show. He has also appeared in numerous skits on WJW's popular Big Chuck and Lil' John Show over the years. He retired in 2016 from Fox 8 after a distinguished career. To locals, he is known as much for his love of animals as for his meteorology. He was an enduring advocate for our furry friends and lobbied hard for what became known as "Goddard's Law," a provision that increased penalties for people convicted of animal mistreatment.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Rajko Dujmić, 65

(Born: 7 August 1954 – Died: 4 August 2020)

 

was a Croatian songwriter, composer,singer and music producer (Novi fosili). Rajko Dujmić who co-composed "Rock Me", the winning entry from Eurovision 1989 has died at the age of 65. Croatian media reports that the singer and composer Rajko Dujmio has passed away today at the age of 65. The performer who was born in Zagreb was best known as a member of the group Novi fosili who represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 with "Ja sam za ples" finishing 4th in Belgium. Rajko passed away following a traffic accident on July 29. The singer and composer had been in hospital for the past week before succumbing to his injuries. Rajko was born on August 7, 1954. He finished high school in Zagreb, majoring in violin, and then graduated from the Pedagogical Academy. Instead of becoming a teacher of musical education, he dedicated himself to music and became one of the most prolific composers of popular music in the history of Croatian discography. Rajko’s biggest Eurovision success as a composer came in 1989 after the entry he composed “Rock me” performed by Riva won the Eurovision Song Contest 1989. He received Croatian music award Porin for lifetime achievement in 2013.

 

Cause of death: injuries sustained in traffic collision

Willie Hunter, 80

(Born: 14 February 1940 — Died: 4 August 2020)

 

was a Scottish football player (Motherwell, national team) and manager (Queen of the South). Former Hibs, Motherwell and Scotland player Willie Hunter has died at the age of 80, the Fir Park club have confirmed.Hunter was a key member of the Lanarkshire club’s Ancell Babes, a talented group who also featured the likes of Ian St John, Hunter’s close friend, and Pat Quinn, who died last month.The Edinburgh-born inside forward scored 40 goals in 229 appearances for Motherwell between 1957 and 1967 and later played for boyhood heroes Hibs as well as having spells in South Africa and the United States. The Abbeyhill-born midfielder played 14 times for the men in green and white - including in the 1968/69 League Cup final defeat to Celtic. He would go on to represent clubs in the United States and South Africa either side of his short spell at boyhood heroes Hibs. Hunter turned his hand to coaching after retiring from the game, becoming the assistant to former Motherwell teammate Ian St John at Portsmouth.Hunter spent most of his playing career with Motherwell, although he also played for Detroit Cougars, Hibernian, Hellenic and Cape Town City. His last involvement in football was as Inverness Caledonian's manager from 1979 to 1981.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Ilse Uyttersprot, 53

(Born: 10 May 1967 - Died: 4 August 2020)

 

was a Belgian politician, member of the Chamber of Representatives (2007–2010), mayor of Aalst (2007–2012). Former mayor and alderman of Aalst (in the province of East Flanders) Ilse Uyttersprot was found dead. Uyttersprot’s boyfriend turned himself in on Tuesday morning, saying he had killed her, after which police found her body in an apartment on Meuleschettestraat in the centre of Aalst. The reason for the murder was in the “relational sphere,” according to the public prosecutor. Uyttersprot was murdered with a hammer. Born in Dendermonde, she was the daughter of Raymond Uyttersprot, former mayor of Moorsel. Uyttersprot put a law degree to work briefly before turning to politics in the late 1980s. She was a Chamber member from 2007 to 2010. From 2007 to 2013, she was mayor of Aalst, Belgium. Afterwards, she became a schepen (alderman) of the city. Uyttersprot was 53 and the mother of two children. She had been a member of CD&V’s youth section and had also served in the federal parliament.

 

Cause of death: killed (beaten)

Irena Sedlecká, 91

(Born: September 7, 1928 - Died: August 4, 2020)

 

was a Czech sculptor and Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. After training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, she was awarded the Lenin Prize for sculpture before fleeing the communist regime. The Pilsen native fled in 1967 together with her first husband and three children from communist Czechoslovakia. In Britain, she later became a member of the Royal British Sculpture Society. During her artistic career, she created a number of monumental portraits and busts. One of the most significant achievements is the three-meter statue of Freddie Mercury, which has stood on the shores of Lake Geneva since 1996 in Montreux, Switzerland. Commissioned portrait heads include Laurence Olivier, Donald Sinden, Paul Eddington, Richard Briers, Jimmy Edwards, Ted Moult, Bobby Charlton, Lord Litchfield and Sir Frank Whittle. She was married several times, lastly to the sculptor Franta Belsky, who died in 2000.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Eddie Ilarde, 85

(Born: August 25, 1934 – Died: August 4, 2020)

 

was a Filipino broadcaster and politician. Popularly known as ‘Kuya Eddie’, Former senator, television and radio broadcaster Edgar “Eddie” Ilarde passed away. He was 85. Ilarde’s death was reported by radio DZBB, where he had a program before community quarantine was imposed in March to curb the spread of COVID-19. He is perhaps known for hosting Student Canteen and Swerte sa Syete. He also hosted two famous radio programs – Kahapon Lamang, Dear Kuya Eddie, at Napakasakit Kuya Eddie. Napakasakit Kuya Eddie would later be an inspiration for a song performed by Roel Cortez in 1984. Ilarde also served in government as Pasay City councilor from 1963 to 1965, as 1st district representative of Rizal, senator, and later an assemblyman during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos. By 1978, Ilarde had allied himself with President Marcos. Running under the Marcos' political party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (or the New Society Movement), Ilarde won election to the Interim Batasang Pambansa as an Assemblyman representing Metro Manila. He served until 1984.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Tony Costanza, 52

(Born: July 2, 1968 – Died: August 4, 2020)

 

was a American metal musician (Machine Head, Crowbar). Original Machine Head drummer Tony Costanza has died. He was 52 years old. Afzaal Nasiruddeen (ex-Crisis) broke the news earlier today. He said: ''It is with a very heavy heart that I have to accept and inform everyone concerned that I lost my brother, band mate, home boy and family today. Tony Costanza was one of a kind. A man with a huge heart, love and loyalty for the ones close to him.'' Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn said that “a big chunk” of the band’s classic debut album, “Burn My Eyes”, was written with Costanza ( ''A Thousand Lies'', ''The Rage to Overcome'', ''Death Church'', ''A Nation on Fire'', ''Blood for Blood'', ''I'm Your God Now'' and ''Block''. Costanza received jazz lessons from Buddy Rich's best friend, Irv Kluger. Influenced by such drummers as Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan and Terry Bozzio. Tony Costanza joined MACHINE HEAD in 1992 and sat behind the kit for the band's first three shows. He left MACHINE HEAD in October 1992 and was replaced by Chris Kontos, who made his live debut with the group the following month. Costanza was also a member of CROWBAR during the early 2000s, and appeared on the band's 2001 album "Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form".

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 5, 2020

Pete Hamill, 85

(Born: June 24, 1935 – Died: August 5, 2020)

 

was an American journalist (New York Post, New York Daily News), novelist, essayist, editor and educator, Grammy Award winner (1976). Pete Hamill, the self-taught, street-wise newspaper columnist whose love affair with New York inspired a colorful and uniquely influential journalistic career and produced several books of fiction and nonfiction has died at the age of 85. Hamill, four days after a Saturday fall that fractured his right hip, died in New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist.Though Hamill underwent emergency surgery, his heart and kidneys ultimately failed. The legendary Hamill served as editor for both the Daily News and the New York Post during a newspaper career that covered the last 40 years of the 20th century. Hamill, along with fellow columnist Jimmy Breslin, were considered New York City's two best known street columnists of their time. He wrote 21 novels and more than 100 short stories, along with longer pieces for The New Yorker, Esquire, Rolling Stone and New York magazine. Hamill’s career as a journalist began in earnest in 1960 when he returned to the United States and scored a job as a reporter for The New York Post. He spent a few years in Europe as a correspondent for the Saturday Evening Post, and upon returning to New York, settled into an illustrious career that found him hopping between many of the city’s major tabloids and newspapers — the Post, the Daily News, The Village Voice and New York Newsday. A friend of Robert F. Kennedy, Hamill helped persuade the senator to run for the United States presidency, then worked for the campaign and covered it as a journalist.

 

Cause of death: complications from a broken hip

Frédéric Jacques Temple, 98

(Born: 18 August 1921 – Died: 5 August 2020)

 

was a French poet and writer. The poet, novelist, translator, essayist and journalist Frédéric Jacques Temple has passed away “very peacefully” at the age of 98. His work includes poems (collected in 1989 in a "Personal Anthology"), novels, travel stories and essays. In 1942, he left for Algiers with his family, discovered Africa with fascination and notably frequented the bookstore of Edmond Charlot, the publisher of Albert Camus, who would also be his. But from 1943 to 1946, “a fracture” arises for the young man: the terrible experience of war, especially during the Italian campaign. Frédéric Jacques Temple had received in 2013 the Guillaume Apollinaire Prize for his poetic work which, like his novels “Les Eaux Mortes”, “An Indian cemetery,” The Enclosure “,” La Route de San Romano “or” Le Chant des Limules “, mix Languedoc childhood, break of war, impulse towards elsewhere, amazed encounters with artists, birds, plants. In 1954, Jacques Temple was appointed director of French television broadcasting for Languedoc-Roussillon, where he remained until 1986. An anthology of his poems was published at the beginning of 2020 by Gallimard. Soon after, his health suddenly declined. His last poems were published by Éditions Bruno Doucey under the title Par le sextant du soleil.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Eric Bentley, 103

(Born: September 14, 1916 – Died: August 5, 2020)

 

was a British-born American theater critic (The New Republic), playwright, singer, editor, and translator. Eric Bentley, Critic Who Provoked Lovers Of Broadway, has died at the age of 103. His son Philip confirmed the death. In 1998, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the New York Theater Hall of Fame, recognizing his many years of cabaret performances. The drama critic Walter Kerr, writing in The New York Herald Tribune Book Review, said that “Mr. Bentley does not believe in a popular theater” and feels that “the audience is incapable of valid judgment in aesthetic matters.” Broadway’s defenders reminded Mr. Bentley that Sophocles, Shakespeare and Shaw had, above all, been popular. To which Mr. Bentley rejoined, “To be popular in an aristocratic culture, like ancient Greece or Elizabethan England, is quite a different matter from being popular in a middle-class culture.” Bentley attended Oxford University, receiving his degree in 1938. He subsequently attended Yale University (B. Litt. in 1939 and PhD in 1941), where he received the John Addison Porter Prize. Bentley taught History and Drama during the 1942 summer session at Black Mountain College, as well as from 1943–1944. Bentley was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1969. That same year, he made his homosexuality public. At Columbia he became engaged in leftist campus politics during the volatile 1960s and surprised everyone when he quit — in part, he said, to experience life as a gay man, having divorced his second wife. But it was as a critic that he made his first and most enduring impression.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 6, 2020

Vern Rumsey, 47

(Born: 1973 - Died: August 6, 2020)

 

was an American bassist (Unwound, Fitz of Depression, Household Gods) and recording engineer. Vern Rumsey, who played bass in the great '90s/early 2000s post-hardcore band Unwound, has died. He was 47. Conan Neutron, who was Rumsey's bandmate in current group Household Gods, wrote on Facebook, "Absolutely stunned and shocked. Vern Rumsey is gone. I have no details at all''. A cause of death has not been revealed. Rumsey most recently played in the band Household Gods with Slint’s David Pajo, Conan Neutron, and the late Lauren K. Newman. Vern Rumsey was a figure in the ’90s Olympia, Washington punk scene that produced bands like Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney. He was a founding member of Unwound, originally formed as a trio called Giant Henry, alongside Justin Trosper and Brandt Sandeno. Rumsey played on every Unwound record. He was also in the bands Long Hind Legs,Oslo,Fitz of Depression,Witchypoo and in 2009 He was playing in the band Flora v. Fauna. In 2020, Vern Rumsey started to release new music as a member of the band Household Gods with David Pajo, Conan Neutron, and Lauren K. Newman, who died in 2019 before the release of the band’s first album Palace Intrigue. The album, issued in June 2020, was dedicated to Newman’s memory.

 

Cause of death: has not been revealed

Elmer Petersen, 91

(Born: September 4, 1928 – Died: August 6, 2020)

 

was an American sculptor who works in metal (World's Largest Buffalo). One of the best-known visual artists in the La Crosse area has died. Sources tell us sculptor Elmer Petersen died at Gundersen in La Crosse, less than a month before his 92nd birthday. His most prominent artwork is the World's Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, North Dakota. Petersen lived and worked in Galesville, Wisconsin. Several of his metal works are displayed in La Crosse, including the Eagle sculpture in Riverside Park, the ‘lacrosse players’ seen both on 2nd Street downtown and on Rose Street, the Gideon Hixon statue near City Hall. More recent works by Petersen included the George Poage sculpture in Poage Park, and the steel eagle outside the UW-La Crosse football stadium. While at Dana College, Petersen was drafted in the middle of his education, then returned on the GI Bill to do graduate work in art at the University of Wisconsin. Early in his career, Petersen worked and taugh at Texas Lutheran University before returning to Wisconsin in 1978 and opening an art studio. Petersen received thirteen awards out of 23 juried shows.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Fernanda Lapa, 77

(Born: May 11, 1943 - Died: August 6, 2020)

 

was a Portuguese actress and director. Fernanda Lapa died today, at the age of 77, in Cascais, where she was hospitalized, today announced the Escola de Mulheres, a company she has run since its foundation in 1995. “It is with deep regret and immense sadness that the Escola de Mulheres reports the death of Fernanda Lapa, artistic director of this company since its founding in 1995”, can be read in the statement. Fernanda Lapa was born on May 11, 1943 as Maria Fernanda Mamede de Pádua Lapa. Lapa is best known for her work on ''Lusitana Paixão'' (2003), ''O Mistério da Estrada de Sintra'' (2007) and'' Recompensa'' (1978). Fernanda Lapa has received several awards and coordinated the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Bernardo Santareno, which is celebrated this year and of which the Escola de Mulheres performed the work “O Punho”. Fernanda Lapa won the Sete de Ouro Prize for the best production in 1992 and the Critics Award in 1992 for the production with “Medeia é Bom Rapaz”. She was one of the founders of Casa da Comédia, an avant-garde company in Portugal in the 1960s, Manuela de Freitas, Norberto Barroca and other young artists. Mother of three daughters, one of whom was lost in 2001 (dancer and choreographer Mónica Lapa), she is the sister of the actress São José Lapa, who is also eight years her junior.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Yolanda Huergo, 49

(Born: 30 May 1971 – Died: 6 August 2020)

 

was a Spanish politician. Yolanda Huergoadvisor and spokesperson for We can Equo in Gijn, passed away this Thursday at 49 years after a long illness. She was a member of Asturian Nationalist Unity and Compromisu por Asturies. She was the councilwoman and spokeswoman for Podemos from 2019 until August 2020. Huergo has fought for decades in various social movements, such as defending the official status of the Asturian language. Yolanda Gonzlez Huergo, was born in Gijn in 1971 and was a civil servant in Siero Urban Planning Area since 2004. Before joining Gijn Town Hall as a councilor for Pode-Equo, Huergo actively participated social movements for the defense of human rights! We can Asturias She mourned the death and indicated on her social networks that "it was a pride to share the fight with her". "Your example, commitment and dedication will always inspire us", they highlighted.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 7, 2020

Michael Ojo, 27

(Born: January 5, 1993 – Died: August 7, 2020)

 

was a Nigerian-American professional basketball player. (FMP, Crvena zvezda). Former Florida State center Michael Ojo died on Friday after collapsing during training in Serbia, his former team Red Star Belgrade said. He was 27. The Nigerian-born basketball player was taken to a hospital in the Serbian capital, but doctors failed to resuscitate him, Belgrade media reported. He was not believed to have had any health issues or heart conditions, according to the report. "The sudden and shocking death has deeply shaken everyone in the club," Red Star said in a statement. The 7-foot-1 Ojo was born in Nigeria before coming to the United States to finish high school and land a scholarship to Florida State. He went on to start 78 games for the Seminoles during his college career and became a fan favorite known for his high character and friendliness. He was well known for his towering stature at 7ft 1in tall, and Nike reportedly invested spent thousands of dollars on a machine to create a shoe which fitted his US size 21 feet.Ojo averaged 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks over 21 games with FMP in the ABA League. He also appeard in the 2018 Serbian SuperLeague season. Ojo averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds over 14 games in the SuperLeague. On July 18, 2018, Ojo inked a two-year deal with Serbian club Crvena zvezda. During two seasons he played with Crvena zvezda, Ojo appeared in 108 games in domestic, regional and European competitions.

 

Cause of death: heart attack

Bernard Bailyn, 97

(Born: 9 September 1922 – Died: 7 August 2020)

 

was an American historian, author, and academic specializing in U.S. Colonial and Revolutionary-era History. Bernard Bailyn, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and educator of lasting influence whose “The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution” transformed how many thought about the country’s formation, has died at 97. Bailyn's wife, Lotte, told The Associated Press that the author died early at their home in Belmont, Massachusetts. A son, John F. Bailyn, said the cause was congestive heart failure. One of the country’s leading historians of the early United States, Dr. Bailyn offered a strong riposte to that argument with his breakthrough volume, “The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution” (1967), which received the prestigious Bancroft Prize for American history writing and the first of his two Pulitzer Prizes for history (1968 and 1987). He was a recipient of the 2010 National Humanities Medal. He was married to MIT Professor of Management Lotte Bailyn (née Lotte Lazarsfeld) and was the father of Yale astrophysicist Charles Bailyn and Stony Brook linguist John Bailyn. He was best known for studies of republicanism and Atlantic history that transformed the scholarship in those fields. As a Harvard professor, Bailyn mentored such award-winning historians as Gordon Wood and Jack Rakove. Bailyn’s other books included “Voyagers to the West” and “The Ordeal of Thomas Hutchinson.”

 

Cause of death: heart failure

Adam Comrie, 30

(Born: July 31, 1990 – Died: August 7, 2020)

 

was a Canadian professional ice hockey player (Rochester Americans, Syracuse Crunch, EC KAC). Adam Comrie, who played as a defenseman for the Syracuse Crunch, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Virginia. He was 30 years old. The Ontario Hockey League offered their condolences. “The Ontario Hockey League family is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of former Saginaw Spirit and Guelph Storm defenceman Adam Comrie who has passed away at the age of 30,” they wrote. “The Ontario Hockey League offers its deepest condolences to Adam’s friends and family at this most difficult time.” After 8 professional seasons in North America, Comrie opted to embark on a European career, agreeing to a one-year deal with Austrian club, EC KAC of the EBEL, on July 16, 2018. He had recently celebrated his 30th birthday on July 31st. He was the third-round draft pick (80th overall) by the Florida Panthers in the 2008 NHL Draft. Comrie has played the last two seasons with Klagenfurt AC in Austria. This past season, he appeared in 44 games. He had five goals and 10 assists for 15 assists during the 44 games in Austria. In his tenure with Klagenfurt AC, he appeared in 89 games. He also had 20 goals and 28 points for 48 points.

 

Cause of death: motorcycle crash

  August 8, 2020

Alfredo Lim, 90

(Born: December 21, 1929 – Died: August 8, 2020)

 

was a Filipino politician, Senator (2004–2007) and Mayor of Manila (1992–1998, 2007–2013). Former Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim passed away, his daughter Cynthia Lim confirmed. He was 90. This comes just a day after incumbent Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced that Lim had contracted the coronavirus disease. In 1981, he finished his master's degree in national security administration with honours at the National Defense College of the Philippines and pursued a Doctor Of Philosophy in criminology. During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he was appointed as the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), serving from 1989 to 1992. Lim served as Manila mayor from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2007 to 2013. He won in the 2004 senatorial elections, but resigned halfway through his term to run for Manila mayor. Although he won the 2007 and 2010 mayoralty races, he lost his reelection bid in 2013, and his comeback attempt in 2016 to former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada. He ran for mayor again in 2019 but lost to Mayor Isko Moreno. He joined the presidential race in 1998 but lost to Estrada, who tapped him as interior secretary. Prior to his stint in politics, Lim was best known as a decorated police officer who was tough on crime. His reputation earned him the moniker "Dirty Harry''. Lim himself was the subject of two biopics: Alfredo Lim: Batas ng Maynila (1995) and Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story (2013).

 

Cause of death: COVID-19

Gabriel Ochoa Uribe, 90

(Born: November 20, 1929 – Died: August 8, 2020)

 

was a Colombian football player and manager (América, Millonarios, national team). Gabriel Ochoa Uribe, a Colombian soccer legend in his career as goalkeeper and coach, died in Cali, as confirmed by his son to a Colombian newspaper. He was 90 years old. Ochoa Uribe had rushed to a clinic in Cali in June and after a few days he returned to his home, where he finally passed away. He won four league titles and the Copa Colombia with Millonarios as a player and fourteen league titles as a manager, making him the most successful Colombian coach of all time. The América club, which Ochoa Uribe led three times to the finals of the Copa Libertadores, mourned his death, as did the Colombian Soccer Federation and the Dimayor professional league. In his first two spells as manager of Millonarios Ochoa Uribe led them to four league titles. He also had a short spell coaching the Colombia national team. In 1966 he coached Santa Fe, leading them to the Colombian championship and making them the first Colombian team ever to reach the semi-finals of Copa Libertadores. In 1979, he became manager of América de Cali, he led them to 7 league championships, they were runners-up in the Copa Libertadores three times consecutively (1985, 1986, 1987). He retired in 1991. 

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 9, 2020

Franca Valeri, 100

(Born: 31 July 1920 – Died: 9 August 2020)

 

was an Italian actress (Il vedovo, The Shortest Day, Gli onorevoli). The actress and TV face died at the age of 100 (had just turned 100 on July 31st). Alma Franca Maria Norsa, born in Milan, was not only the author of the Snobby lady very popular on the radio of that post-war period: Valeri (name loaned by Paul Valery, French critic and poet) reached the large audience of the Sister Cecioni with the legendary tv appearances a Studio One, also proposing the intelligent style of a critical humor as in the Teatro dei Gobbi she invented. she was an extraordinary comic talent. Franca Valeri created a classic repertoire of theater characters, then radio, film and television, who in every way represent the “masks” that are inextricably linked with their names Miss Snob to Cesira the manicure, up to Sora Cecioni. In the 1960s Valeri also frequently worked for Italian TV. Directed by Antonello Falqui, she starred in Studio Uno, Le divine and Sabato Sera. In the 1980s and early 1990s she starred in a series of commercials for Pandoro Melegatti, which were well received and stretched over a number of years (pandoro being a seasonal product tied to the Christmas holidays). On 8 May 2020, Valeri received an Honorary David di Donatello Award.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Carroll Hardy, 87

(Born: May 18, 1933 – Died: August 9, 2020)

 

was a American baseball player (Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros). Carroll Hardy, who was a three-sport star at Colorado, played in the NFL and Major League Baseball and worked for the Broncos for nearly a quarter century, passed away at 87 from complications due to dementia. Hardy attended the University of Colorado from 1951 to 1955, where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He was all-Big Seven Conference as a halfback, running from a single-wing formation under head coach Dallas Ward, and All-Conference in baseball under head coach Frank Prentup. Hardy was a member of the sports hall of fames in Colorado and his home state of South Dakota. He lettered 10 times at CU from 1951-55 in football (running back), baseball (center fielder) and track (broad jump) and averaged 6.9 yards per rushing attempt in football and hit .392 in baseball. One of his claims to fame came in 1960 when he became the first and only man to pinch-hit for Ted Williams, who had fouled a ball off his foot. Hardy hit into a double play. With his baseball career behind him, Hardy worked for 20 years in the Denver Broncos' front office. As a player personnel director, he was the key figure in building the Orange Crush Defense in the 1970s.

 

Cause of death: complications from dementia

Martin Birch, 71

(Born: 27 December 1948 – Died: 9 August 2020)

 

was a British music producer and engineer (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden). Martin Birch, who produced nine Iron Maiden albums and records from the likes of Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 71.The news was confirmed by Whitesnake singer David Coverdale, who tweeted: “It is with a very heavy heart I’ve just had verified my very dear friend and producer Martin Birch has passed away. He began the first of many longstanding band relationships with Fleetwood Mac, working on five albums between 1969 and 1973, and Deep Purple, working on 11 albums with them including two UK No 1s, Fireball and Machine Head. He worked on multiple albums with Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult and Whitesnake, and helped Black Sabbath freshen up their heavy metal sound after Ronnie James Dio took over from Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. The song "Hard Lovin' Man" from the Deep Purple album Deep Purple in Rock is dedicated to him: "For Martin Birch - catalyst". He retired in 1992, after producing Iron Maiden's Fear of the Dark album. Birch appeared in Iron Maiden's music video "Holy Smoke".

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 10, 2020

Joe Segal, 94

(Born: April 24, 1926 – Died: 10 August 2020)

 

was a American jazz musician and club owner. Joe Segal, whose Jazz Showcase clubs presented swinging music at numerous Chicago locations for almost 75 years, has died at age 94. Aside from the musicians themselves, no one did more for jazz in Chicago than impresario Joe Segal. For more than 70 years, starting in 1947 as a student at Roosevelt University, Segal presented the world’s greatest jazz musicians in rented hovels, rundown showrooms, dilapidated hotels and, eventually, elegant clubs and concert halls. His first live jazz concert experiences were big band performances at the city’s Earl Theater. The popularity of Segal's events grew quickly, and big band musicians would perform solo on their off-nights, along with other local and visiting artists including Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and Lester Young. In the early 1970s, Segal opened a spot on Rush Street, the first official Jazz Showcase (its current residence is inside the Landmark Dearborn Station). Thousands of music fans have had their first live jazz experience at the Jazz Showcase's various locations, and for many musicians, the venue served as a launch pad for their individual careers. In 2013, Segal received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Roosevelt University.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

P. J. Sheehan, 87

(Born: 1 March 1933 – Died: 10 August 2020)

 

was an Irish politician. Former Fine Gael TD Patrick “PJ” Sheehan, who was involved in politics for more than 50 years, has died at the age of 87, a week after the death of his wife Frances on August 3. Mrs Sheehan’s funeral took place in the Church of our Lady Star of the Sea in Goleen, West Cork, on August 5.. Mr Sheehan served as a TD for the Cork South-West constituency from 1981 to 2002. He was re-elected to the Dáil in 2007 at the age of 74. Mr Sheehan retired from politics at the 2011 general election. He had also served on Cork County Council, where he was elected for the first time in 1967. On 20 September 2010, Sheehan apologised after being under the influence of alcohol and threatening a garda officer after she prevented him from driving while leaving Leinster House in July 2010. He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him. Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard said Mr Sheehan left a big imprint in west Cork. “His true legacy in many ways will be his debates around the harbour and tourism. He was a real advocate for the people of west Cork. It was only last week that I was at the funeral of his wife in Goleen.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Lorna Beal, 96

(Born: 28 November 1923 – Died: 10 August 2020)

 

was an Australian cricketer. Former Australia wicketkeeper Lorna Beal (née Larter), who played seven Test matches between 1948 and 1951, has died aged 96. A right-handed batter and wicket-keeper, Beal took up cricket at the age of 12 before joining the South Hawthorn Ladies Cricket Club. It was during this time that she was selected to open the batting for Victoria and Australia. She made her debut against New Zealand in Wellington in what was the first women's Test between the two countries with the remaining six matches all coming against England. Her final Test was at The Oval in 1951 in a match England won to level the series 1-1 after Australia had won the second Test in Worcester by two wickets. It was on the boat journey to England for the 1951 tour where she met her husband, Roy, who she would marry following her retirement from international cricket after that trip. Cricket Australia on Monday paid tribute to former women’s cricketer Lorna Beal: “There’s no doubt Lorna faced challenges that today’s players could never dream of, including spending six weeks at sea to get to England to play the game she loved. “It’s pioneers like Lorna who paved the way for future generations and have made the game what it is today.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Vladica Popović, 85

(Born: 17 March 1935 – Died: 10 August 2020)

 

was a Serbian football player (Red Star Belgrade, Yugoslavia national team) and manager (Deportivo Cali). Tragic day for Red Star, The man who took the club to the roof of the world passes away at the age of 85. The legendary Vladimir Vladica Popovic was born in 1935 and spent his entire life in red-and-white. Born in Zemun, Dunavska banovina, Popović started playing at local side Jedinstvo but his talent was spotted while he was still very young and giants Red Star Belgrade brought him to their youth team where he will later play for more than a decade becoming team captain and also regular member of the Yugoslav national team. Since 1970, he dedicated himself to coaching, working in Venezuela and Colombia, while his greatest success came in winning the world club title in 1991 with Red Star against Colo-Colo.Vladica Popović leading Portuguesa FC, Caracas F.C. and Deportivo Italia. He also managed Colombian sides Deportivo Cali and Millonarios as well as the Peru national football team.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Raymond Allen, 91

(Born: March 5, 1929 – Died: August 10, 2020)

 

was an American television actor. He was best known for his appearances on television during the 1970s (Sanford and Son, Good Times, Starsky & Hutch). Raymond G. Allen, Sr., who played Uncle Woodrow "Woody" Anderson on Sanford and Son, has died. He was 91. According to TMZ, which first reported the news, Allen's family said the actor was in a long-term California facility and was found unresponsive on Monday morning. EMTs were not able to revive him. His family told the outlet that Allen — who had been in a health care facility since 2016 — died as a result of respiratory issues, but they were not coronavirus-related. The actor was best known for his Sanford and Son character of Uncle Woodrow “Woody” Anderson, brother-in-law of Redd Foxx’s Fred Sanford and long-suffering husband of LaWanda Page’s Aunt Esther. On another Norman Lear-created series, Good Times, Allen played Ned the Wino, a neighborhood street character and friend of the series’ central Evans family. Although Allen had not appeared in any acting roles since 1985, he continued making public appearances where he spoke to people and signed autographs. According to his MySpace page.

 

Cause of death: respiratory issues

  August 11, 2020

Trini Lopez, 83

(Born: May 13, 1937 – Died: August 11, 2020)

 

was an American singer, guitarist, and actor. Trini Lopez, who had worldwide hit records in the early 1960s by creating a unique mix of American folk, Latin and rockabilly music, whose renditions of “If I Had a Hammer” and “Lemon Tree” climbed the charts and an actor who appeared in films including The Dirty Dozen died on Tuesday at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 83. Born in 1937 in Dallas, Texas, López was the son of two immigrants from Mexico and began playing guitar at age 11. López released his first album, Live at PJ's, in 1963, and its success inspired a follow-up album titled By Popular Demand: More Trini López at PJ’s, which was released later that same year. He was also an accomplished guitarist and designed two guitars for Gibson Guitars in the 1960s. The musician's version of "If I Had a Hammer" reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 36 countries and sold more than one million copies. Mentored by Buddy Holly and Frank Sinatra, Lopez became an international star while performing in English and Spanish. Unlike Mexican American singers such as Ritchie Valens, Lopez rejected advice to change his name and openly embraced his Mexican American heritage despite warnings it would hurt his career. Sinatra signed Lopez to his Reprise Records label after seeing him perform at a West Hollywood nightclub. They became friends and were spotted together regularly in social circles in Las Vegas and Palm Springs. In 1993, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him. In 2002, Lopez teamed with Art Greenhaw for Legacy: My Texas Roots. The album used the "Texas Roots Combo" including Lopez, Greenhaw, and Lopez's brother, Jesse.

 

Cause of death: COVID-19

Walter Carrington, 90

(Born: July 24, 1930 – Died: August 11, 2020)

 

was an American diplomat, ambassador to Senegal (1980–1981) and Nigeria (1993–1997). A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, is dead. This was confirmed in a statement signed by his wife, Arese Carrington. The statement reads, “It is with a heavy and broken heart but with gratitude to God for his life of selfless humanity that I announce the passing of my beloved husband Walter Carrington, former U.S. Upon graduation from Harvard, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where one of his assignments was as an enlisted man with the Judge Advocate General Corps (Germany, 1955–57). Upon separation from the military, he entered a private law practice in Boston, Massachusetts; during that time, he also served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. He held various positions in the Peace Corps from 1961 to 1971, serving as Country Director in Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Tunisia and then as Regional Director for Africa (1969–71). From 1971 to 1980, he was Executive Vice President of the African-American Institute. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal. Mr Carrington, who celebrated his 90th birthday a fortnight ago, served as the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Senegal and Nigeria. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal from 1980 to 1981 and was later appointed by former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, in 1993 as the ambassador to Nigeria, where he remained until 1997. The diplomat has deep ties with Nigeria. He married into a Nigerian family and had lived in three Nigerian cities since the late 1960s. In 1997, he received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Livingstone College, North Carolina.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 12, 2020

Mónica Miguel, 84

(Born: 13 March 1936 – Died: 12 August 2020)

 

was a Mexican actress, director and singer. Mónica Miguel, a Mexican actress known for her long acting career in film and soap operas, passed away at the age 84. No details were released about the actress’s cause of death. Several celebrities from the entertainment world in Mexico sent some condolences and messages of unity to the family. Many of them posted messages and photographs with the beloved actress, who was an important part in the successes of the Mexican television. Mónica Miguel made her debut as dialogue director on the soap opera “Quinceañera”, this would be the beginning of a prolific career as a director, collaborating mainly with the producer Carla Estrada; She was a stage director on locations for several of her soap operas, such as “Amor de Nadie”, “De Frente al Sol”, “Los parientes sociales”, “Alondra”, “María Isabel” and “El privilegio de amar”; in some of them she also participated as an actress. In 1986, she received the María Tereza Montoya and Virginia Fábregas prizes for her acting in Aire frío. Since 1988, she has directed many popular, internationally distributed soap operas. This work has earned her prizes from the Herald and New York Latin ACE Award.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Howard Mudd, 78

(Born: February 10, 1942 – Died: August 12, 2020)

 

was an American football player (San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears) and coach (Indianapolis Colts). Longtime NFL assistant coach and former All-Pro offensive lineman Howard Mudd has died due to injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident earlier this month. He was 78. Mudd had been in a Seattle intensive care unit following a motorcycle accident two weeks ago. His family announced his death in a statement. A ninth-round pick in the 1964 draft, Mudd spent the bulk of his career in San Francisco, where he blossomed into a three-time Pro Bowler when earning All-Pro recognition in 1968. Mudd was also tabbed as a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960s. Mudd was one of the best offensive line coaches in the history of the NFL. He held that role with the Colts from 1998-2009 with whom he won Super Bowl XLI and returned for a short stint during the 2019 season. Mudd coached for eight NFL teams from 1974-2012 and is best known for crafting the elite offensive line that protected Peyton Manning. He played in 93 career games while earning one All-Pro nod in 1968. For his work as an assistant coach, Mudd earned the Pro Football Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Cause of death: traffic collision

Bill Yeoman, 92

(Born: December 26, 1927 – Died: August 12, 2020)

 

was an American Hall of Fame college football player (Texas A&M) and coach (Michigan State, Houston). Bill Yeoman, a standout lineman and teammate of Heisman Trophy winners Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis at Army, who would go on to shepherd the University of Houston into the top tier of college football as the Cougars' coach for 25 years, died Wednesday at age 92. His son, Bill Jr., said Yeoman died of pneumonia and kidney failure. The longest-serving football coach in UH history, Yeoman won 160 games and four Southwest Conference championships and made 11 bowl appearances during a 25-year career with the Cougars. He retired in 1986. Yeoman led the Cougars to 11 bowl appearances between 1962 and 1986. Yeoman played his freshman year at Texas A&M, then received an appointment to West Point. He played center for Army from 1946 to 1948, according to his biography. After serving in the Army from 1950 to 1953, Yeoman worked as an assistant coach at Michigan State University. Yeoman played a big role in the integration of college sports, becoming the first football coach at a major Texas program to offer a scholarship to an African American when he signed Warren McVea in 1964. Yeoman was inducted into the University of Houston Hall of Honor in 1998. The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Yeoman in 2001 and two years later the Texas Sports Hall of Fame named him as an inductee. Also in 2002, Yeoman received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Cause of death: pneumonia and kidney failure

Mary Hartline, 92

(Born: October 29, 1927 – Died: August 12, 2020)

 

was an American model and actress. One of the first superstars of television, Mary Hartline Donahue of Hillsboro died at her home in Hillsboro. After graduation, she spent a year in Chicago modeling, taking trumpet and voice lessons, and attending classes at Northwestern University. She began her show business career on a radio program call Junior Junction, later renamed Teen Town.In 1945, she was cast in ABC radio's Teen Town (later known as Junior Junction). The program made its debut on 2 January 1946 and featured Hartline leading a 16-member Sweetheart Band, which was composed of eight boys and eight girls. In 1949, the ABC television network picked up the local show, Super Circus, which was also produced by Stokes. Hartline moved to Super Circus where her looks and figure made her a national star and a sex symbol for thousands of boys, young and old. The show, starring former real-life Chicago World's Fair barker, Big Band announcer, and radio host Claude Kirchner. In 1951, she also hosted a short-lived Mary Hartline Show on ABC TV that failed to find a sponsor.Hartline married four times and had no children. 

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 13, 2020

Michel Dumont, 79

(Born: 29 January 1941 – Died: 13 August 2020)

 

was a Canadian actor, artistic director, translator and narrator. The great man of the theater Michel Dumont, who ran the Compagnie Jean-Duceppe in Montreal for more than 25 years, has died at the age of 79. He served as the artistic director for the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe in Montreal from 1991 to 2018. Michel Dumont has performed in more than 75 plays at “his” theater at Place des arts, but also on other stages in Montreal and in the tours of the Jean-Duceppe company. In addition to his work on stage, Dumont has displayed his acting talents on television, where he held leading roles. In 1972, he played the role of Fantoche on Picotine, a children’s show aired on Radio-Canada, Jos in the dramatic series Race de monde (1978–81), Minister Alain Robert in Monsieur le ministre (1982–86), Gilbert Trudel in Les dames de cœur (1986–89), Captain Gilbert Tanguay in Omertà, la loi du silence (1996–97), La part des anges (1998–99), as well as in the series Bunker, le cirque (2002) and the highly popular series Providence (2009–11) and Yamaska (2009–16). The world of film, too, has been enriched by Michel Dumont’s great acting talents. His first film appearance was in Jean-Claude Lord’s 1979 production Éclair au chocolat. Michel Dumont has won the Prix Gémeaux for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series three times, in 1998, 2003 and 2013. In 2001, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Québec at Chicoutimi. In 2010, Québec’s National Assembly. He was made an officer of the National Order of Québec in 2013.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Quentin McCord, 42

(Born: June 26, 1978 – Died: August 13, 2020)

 

was an American professional football player. Former Kentucky football star wide receiver Quentin McCord has passed away. He was 42. A native of LaGrange, Georgia, McCord played professionally in his home state. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft, he recorded 23 receptions for 427 yards and a touchdown in three years with the team. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders practice squad in 2004, his last year in the NFL. McCord bounced around the CFL before ultimately ending his football career back in Lexington with the Kentucky Horsemen in 2009. The best statistical year of his career came in 2002, when he recorded 11 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown. He also played as a kick and punt returner. He then spent part of the 2004 season on the practice squad of the Oakland Raiders. It was his last year in NFL. Before ending his career, he bounced around the CFL. Ultimately, he ended his career back in Lexington with the Kentucky Horsemen in 2009. He was out of football in 2005, however he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 2006. In 2009, McCord joined the Arena Football League's developmental league and was assigned to the Kentucky Horsemen.

 

Cause of death: Not Known Yet

Darío Vivas, 70

(Born: 12 June 1950 – Died: 13 August 2020)

 

was a Venezuelan politician. Dario Vivas, the Mayor of Venezuela’s capital Caracas died after suffering from novel coronavirus for more than three weeks. Vivas, a senior member of the ruling socialist party, had said on Twitter on July 19 that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was going into self-isolation. Taking to Twitter, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said, “He died in combat … taking care of his health and all of us in this difficult battle against the Covid-19 pandemic”. Vivas is the first top-level government official to die of COVID-19, although several others have tested positive. The physical departure of the well-known revolutionary leader, who accompanied Hugo Chávez in his struggles since the 1990s, shocked the Venezuelan political world Vivas formerly served as National Assembly deputy representing the Capital District for two consecutive periods. He also served as its first vice president twice (2010–2011) and (2013–2015) and as vice president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in 2015. Vivas was appointed head of the Capital District in January.

 

Cause of death: COVID-19

  August 14, 2020

Valentina Legkostupova, 54

(Born: December 30, 1965 – Died: 14 August 2020)

 

was a Russian pop singer. The singer of the hit “Yagoda-Malina” and Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (2001) Valentina Legkostupova has died at the age 54. This was announced by the daughter of the singer Anette Bril on her Instagram page. “Today at 15:30 a wonderful bright person, the best mother, daughter and grandmother in the world, has passed away,” Bril wrote. Bril said that in early August, she found her mother in a Moscow apartment. There were bruises on the woman’s body, her husband Yuri Firsov was next to the artist. The daughter of Legkostupova called doctors, and both were taken to a drug treatment clinic. Subsequently, Firsov fled, and the performer’s condition worsened. As a result, Legkostupova was hospitalized in Moscow with a head injury on August 11. Doctors diagnosed her with cerebral edema, the artist was in a coma.The debut of the singer on the stage took place in 1985 in Kherson of the Ukrainian SSR a solo concert with a band led by Senya Son. In 2014, Legkostupova moved to a permanent residence on the island of Tenerife. There, she was mostly engaged in real estate, but did not stop her concert and teaching activities. In August 2016, the production centre of Valentina Legkostupova VL Music began its work.

 

Cause of death: cerebral edema

Julian Bream, 87

(Born: 15 July 1933 – Died: 14 August 2020)

 

was an English virtuoso classical guitarist and lutenist. Julian Bream has died at his home in Wiltshire at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by his management company, who said he died “peacefully at home”.The virtuoso musician performed globally during his heyday, and was renowned for his recordings of new compositions and masterclasses. He won four Grammy Awards and received 20 nominations between 1960 and 85. One of the most distinguished classical guitarists of the 20th century, Bream played a significant role in improving the public perception of the classical guitar as a respectable instrument. From child prodigy to international performer, Julian Bream played a key role in changing the public attitude towards the guitar as a mainstream classical instrument, while also resurrecting the legacy of the Renaissance and Baroque lute.He became something of a prodigy, at 12 winning a junior exhibition award for his piano playing, enabling him to study piano and composition at the Royal College of Music. He played his first public guitar recital in Cheltenham in 1947, aged 13. He carried out national service between 1952 and 1955, putting his instruments in storage but playing electric guitar in an army dance band. His first European tours took place in 1954 and 1955, followed by extensive touring in the Far East, India, Australia, the Pacific Islands and many other parts of the world. In 1997, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his debut, he performed a recital at Cheltenham Town Hall. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1964 for services to music, and in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 1985 he was made a CBE.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Herb Orvis, 73

(Born: October 17, 1946 – Died: August 14, 2020)

 

was an American Hall of Fame football player (Colorado Buffaloes, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts). Herb Orvis, a former first-round draft choice of the Lions, died in his adopted hometown of Goodyear, Arizona, Brendan Savage. Orvis was 73. Orvis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008. Herb Orvis liked to say getting drafted into the Army during the turbulent 1960s was the best thing that ever happened to him. Orvis left Flint Beecher High School before graduating to begin his military service in 1965 and it was during his stint in the Army that he began playing football for the Berlin Bear military team. The Lions made Orvis the 16th overall choice out of Colorado in 1972. The defensive lineman spent the first six seasons of his NFL career in Detroit before playing his final four seasons with the Baltimore Colts.He started 104 of 122 career games. In 1975, Orvis earned second-team all-conference honors by United Press International. Orvis has spots in the College Football Hall of Fame, Colorado Hall of Fame (on January 8, 2015) and Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame. He also was named to the 1970s All-Big Eight Decade team. After football, he grew citrus fruit, owned an art gallery, ran a construction business. He retired in 2013. 

 

Cause of death: Parkinson’s disease

Linda Manz, 58

(Born: August 20, 1961 – Died: August 14, 2020)

 

was an American actress. Linda Manz, who as an androgynous teen captivated many with her performances in the films: Days of Heaven (1978) and Out of the Blue (1980), died at the age 58. The cause, according to extended family posting on social media, was pneumonia and lung cancer. In 1976, at the age of 15, she was cast by Terrence Malick to play the young narrator in his second film Days of Heaven, which was released in 1978. Manz's part was initially smaller than planned, however Malick was so impressed by her that he invited her to provide the narration of the film, which appeared in the final cut. Manz then appeared in the The Wanderers (1979), directed by Philip Kaufman, and played the lead in Dennis Hopper's influential cult film Out of the Blue. Manz appeared in a small role as a robber in the episode "The Snow Queen" of Faerie Tale Theatre. Her only remaining roles were a spot in the 1979 TV movie Orphan Train as Sarah and a small role in David Fincher's movie The Game, and a larger one in Harmony Korine's Gummo in 1997, playing the mother of one of the main characters. In 1985, Manz married camera operator Bobby Guthrie. The couple had three children.

 

Cause of death: pneumonia and lung cancer

Tom Forsyth, 71

(Born: 23 January 1949 – Died: 14 August 2020)

 

was a Scottish football player (Motherwell, Rangers, national team) and coach. Rangers legend Tom Forsyth has sadly passed away this at the age of 71.The iconic Ibrox defender, nicknamed ''Jaws'' moved to Light Blues from Motherwell in 1972 where he forged his reputation with 326 appearances. He achieved legendary status in his 10-year stay, with two trebles among his haul of three league titles, four Scottish Cups and two League Cups. He scored the winning goal in the 1973 Scottish Cup Final against Old Firm rivals Celtic from six inches.[The centre-back also won 22 Scotland caps and played at the 1978 World Cup. He captained Scotland once, against Switzerland in 1976. Forsyth retired from playing and went on to manage Dunfermline Athletic for a year in the early 1980s. After retiring from playing, Forsyth went on to manage Dunfermline and was also assistant manager to former team-mate Tommy McLean at Greenock Morton, Motherwell and Hearts.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Pete Way, 69

(Born: 7 August 1951 – Died: 14 August 2020)

 

was an English rock bass guitarist (UFO, Waysted, Fastway). UFO bass player Pete Way has died aged 69 after suffering 'life-threatening' injuries in an accident two months ago which eventually led to his death.The legendary founder of the iconic rock band died with his wife Jenny by his side. Way helped start UFO alongside singer Phil Mogg, guitarist Mick Bolton and drummer Andy Parker in 1968. UFO helped bridge the gap between hard rock and heavy metal, influencing acts like Iron Maiden, Metallica, and countless others. While UFO never achieved the huge success of many of the bands they influenced, such songs as “Doctor Doctor” and “Too Hot to Handle” have become hard-rock classics. He performed on their first 10 studio albums from 1970's UFO 1 to 1982's Mechanix, before departing with the idea of forming Fastway with Motorhead guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clark. The veteran musician also formed Waysted, Fastway with Motorhead guitarist ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke and handled bass duties during Ozzy Osbourne’s British leg of the Speak of the Devil tour. In 2018, he formed the Pete Way Band along with guitarist Kamil Woj and Jason Poole, and also recorded a guest bass on a Warfare song along with Evo and Fast Eddie Clarke titled "Misanthropy". In June 2019, PWB launched the UK tour with the new lineup consisting of two ex-UFO members.

 

Cause of death: injuries sustained in accident

  August 15, 2020

Robert Trump, 71

(Born: August 26, 1948 – Died: August 15, 2020)

 

was an American real estate developer and business executive. (The Trump Organization). Robert Trump, 71, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, died at a New York hospital, Donald Trump announced in a statement. "It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace," the President said. Robert Stewart Trump was born in 1948, the youngest of New York City real estate developer Fred Trump's five children. The president, more than two years older than Robert, admittedly bullied his brother in their younger years, even as he praised his loyalty and laid-back demeanor. Robert Trump had reportedly been hospitalised in the intensive care unit for several days that same month. He took blood thinners and had recently experienced brain bleeds after a fall, according to the New York Times. Robert Trump began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization. He served on the board of directors for ZeniMax Media, parent company to Bethesda Softworks, a position he occupied from 2000 until his death in 2020. During his tenure he published series including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and Wolfenstein. 

 

Cause of death: unknown

Richard Gwyn, 86

(Born: May 26, 1934 – Died: August 15, 2020)

 

was a Canadian journalist, author, historian, and civil servant. One of Canada’s greatest journalists, author and political commentator Richard Gwyn has died at age 86 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born into a life of privilege mapped out for him in Great Britain, Gwyn instead emigrated to Canada at the age of 20 and forged a brilliant career in newspapers, television and as a historian. Astonishingly, he achieved his greatest success and influence in his late 70s, when he penned a definitive two-volume biography of our first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. From 1970 to 1973, he was the director-general, socio-economic planning in the Department of Communications. In 1973, Gwyn joined The Toronto Star and worked as a national affairs columnist until 1985. He then became an international affairs columnist later that year until 1992. He continued to write columns on public affairs for the Star, on a freelance basis, until 2016. From 1994 to 2006, I saw Richard nearly every week; he was a regular part of the foreign-affairs panel on TVO’s Studio 2, where he appeared alongside Janice Stein and Eric Margolis. That trio was so popular that TVO created a spinoff show for them called ''Diplomatic Immunity''. Gwyn ceased writing his column in 2016 and made his last appearance as a television panellist in 2017.

 

Cause of death: Alzheimer’s disease

  August 16, 2020

Chilla Porter, 84

(Born: 11 January 1936 – Died: 16 August 2020)

 

was an Australian athlete (high jumper) and political figure. Charles "Chilla" Porter, a champion high-jumper who won silver at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, has died after a long battle with cancer. Porter, whose son Christian is federal Attorney-General in the Morrison government, became a national hero after his marathon battle with American champion Charles Dumas which lasted until after sunset. Chilla competed in two Olympic Games for Australia and won a silver medal after his incredible high jump performance against Charles Dumas in the Melbourne games in 1956. "Chilla" was a seven-time national champion and in 2011 was inducted into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame. He also collected silver medals in the 1958 Commonwealth Games and the 1962 Commonwealth Games. Porter served as state director of the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division).He was appointed chairman of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) by the state Liberal government. 

 

Cause of death: cancer

Tommy Carroll, 77

(Born: 18 August 1942 – Died: August 2020)

 

was an Irish international footballer (national team). Irish international Carroll, who played right back for the Town side which won the Second Division in 1968 has died at the age of 77. Carroll was most famous for his part in a dressing room fight between new boss Bobby Robson and skipper Bill Baxter, after which he and Baxter left the club. He played for Town between 1966 and 1971, and also had spells with Cambridge City and Birmingham City. He was just 15 when he made his debut for Shelbourne alongside his elder brother Eddie. During seven years at Tolka Park he won the League of Ireland Championship and the FAI Cup. Upon his return to Ireland in 1973, he had spells as player and manager with Shelbourne and Athlone Town. Carroll was capped 17 times by the Republic of Ireland Ireland between 1968 and 1973. He managed Shels for most of the 1975/76 season following the departure of the long-serving Gerry Doyle. In December 1976 he was appointed player/manager of Athlone Town in succession to Trevor Hockey. 

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 17, 2020

Mário de Araújo Cabral, 86

(Born: 15 January 1934 – Died: 17 August 2020)

 

Commonly known by the nickname "Nicha" Cabral, was a Portuguese racing driver. Former Formula 1 driver Mário de Araújo ‘Nicha’ Cabral has died, at the age of 86, a source close to the family confirmed to the Lusa agency. The former car driver and textile entrepreneur died at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon, where he was hospitalized, victim of a prolonged illness. He participated in five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix (four starts), debuting on 23 August 1959. He scored no championship points. His name was soon blackened by an incident when he pulled onto the track at Monsanto in front of F1 great Jack Brabham. The incident has been linked with Cabral ever since. A hot sweltering day in Portugal necessitated a later starting time and, even then, driver struggled with the intensity of the late summer heat. Mario finished the race but failed to qualify for other Formula. Cabral was seriously injured in the 1965 Formula Two Rouen-Les-Essarts Grand Prix and was absent from competition until 1968 when he returned to race sportscars and occasionally in Formula Two before retiring in 1975.

 

Cause of death: prolonged illness

Boyd Grant, 87

(Born: August 17, 1933 – Died: August 17, 2020)

 

was an American college basketball coach for Fresno State and Colorado State. Boyd "Tiny" Grant, the basketball coach who led Colorado State and Fresno State to the NCAA tournament, died Monday on his 87th birthday. Colorado State announced Grant suffered a stroke over the weekend and didn’t recover. Hailing from American Falls, Idaho, Grant was a guard for Colorado State under coach Jim Williams before embarking on a coaching career. After stints as an assistant coach for the Rams and at Kentucky, he became a head coach in the junior college ranks. He took over at Fresno State in 1977-78 and would lead the Bulldogs to three Western Athletic Conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1983 NIT Championship. Grant was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Grant became the coach at Colorado State for the 1987-88 season. In four seasons, Grant took the Rams to two NCAA tournaments. Grant is the winningest coach in program history guiding the Bulldogs to 194 wins. Grant retired from coaching in 1991.

 

Cause of death: complications from stroke

  August 18, 2020

Cesare Romiti, 97

(Born: 24 June 1923 – Died: 18 August 2020)

 

was an Italian economist and businessman, Chairman of Fiat (1996–1998). Former longtime Fiat managing director Cesare Romiti died Tuesday at the age of 97. Romiti spent 25 years at the helm of Italy's biggest car maker. Romiti was the right-hand man of late owner Giovanni Agnelli, the heir to the Fiat dynasty, and served as the company's chief executive in 1976-1996 and as chairman in 1996-1998. He is remembered for winning a bitter labour dispute with trade unions in 1980, and for leading Fiat during a period of surging sales and profits in the 1980s. After retiring from Fiat, Romiti became the chairman of RCS Editori, the publishing house of Italy's biggest newspaper, Corriere della Sera. The first 23 years of his career were spent as a manager in the chemical sector, From chemistry Romiti moved on to deal with the aviation sector: in 1970 he was called by Iri to Alitalia, of which he subsequently became CEO. Romiti will leave Fiat in 1998, with a sentence on his shoulders, shared with other managers, for illegal party financing, tax fraud and false accounting. The latter charge fell in 2003. Upon leaving the group, he asked Agnelli to be able to acquire a share in Gemina and set up his own business. Romiti became president of the Corriere della Sera, a position held until 2004, and was among the shareholders of Impregilo (of which he was also president) and of the Rome airports. He is also responsible for the birth of the Italy-China.Foundation, which he led from 2003 to 2018, when, at the age of 95, he handed over the helm to the entrepreneur Alberto Bombassei, owner of Brembo. 

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Ben Cross, 72

(Born: 16 December 1947 – Died: 18 August 2020)

 

was an English stage and film actor (Chariots of Fire, Star Trek, First Knight). Ben Cross, the stage and film actor best known for his roles in Chariots of Fire and Star Trek, has died at the age of 72. Cross is survived by his wife Deyana Boneva Cross, and his three children. He was married three times.The actor’s family confirmed that Cross died on Tuesday morning in Vienna, Austria. His daughter Lauren shared the following announcement on Facebook: “I am utterly heartbroken to share with you that my darling father died a few hours ago,” she wrote. “He had been sick for a while but there was a rapid decline over the past week.” After graduating from Rada (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts), Cross made the move from stage to screen in 1977’s A Bridge Too Far alongside Sean Connery and Michael Caine, in a role he later described as a “glorified extra”. In the same year he also became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company before gaining fame playing Billy Flynn in Chicago. In 1978, Cross starred in the musical Chicago, playing Billy Flynn. The part led to his casting in Chariots of Fire which won the Oscar for Best Picture. Chariots of Fire followed the true story of two Olympic athletes and their different reasons for seeking gold. For his role in Chariots of Fire he was awarded the Most Promising Artiste of 1981 awards by the Variety Club Awards. In a 1985 interview the actor admitted he preferred American roles because of their emotionalism, saying of English acting: "Over here, people hide behind mannerism and technique and don't come up with any soul. American actors are much freer with the emotions. It's pretty hard in Europe not to have experience of Americans because we're exposed to a lot of American product. In more recent years, Cross took on the role of Sarek in the 2009 release of "Star Trek," in which Chris Pine played Kirk and Zachary Quinto played Spock. According to Cross' IMDb, he was currently working on "The Devil's Light" in which he was cast as Cardinal Matthews. According to Variety, Cross finished filming ten days ago. Cross was also a director, writer, and musician. He wrote music, screenplays, and articles for English-language publications.

 

Cause of death: cancer

Dale Hawerchuk, 57

(Born: April 4, 1963 – Died: August 18, 2020)

 

was a Canadian Hall of Fame ice hockey player and coach. Dale Hawerchuk, a hockey phenom who became the face of the Winnipeg Jets en route to the Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer. The Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts, a team Hawerchuk coached, confirmed the death on Twitter: "After an incredibly brave and difficult battle with cancer, our dad has passed away. My family is so proud of him and the way he fought.'' #HawerchukStrong," Eric Hawerchuk, one of Dale's sons. A teenage star, Dale Hawerchuk was drafted first overall by the Jets in 1981. He went on to play nine seasons in Winnipeg and five in Buffalo before finishing up his distinguished 16-year NHL career with stints in St. Louis and Philadelphia. Hawerchuk recorded 518 goals and 1,409 points in 1,188 regular-season games (he added 30 more goals and 99 assists in 97 playoff games). He won the NHL's Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year in 1982 and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility in 2001. Hawerchuk served as the head coach of the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League from 2010 to 2019. Hawerchuk became the president, director of hockey operations, and primary owner of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League's Orangeville Crushers in 2007. He left this position in 2010.

 

Cause of death: stomach cancer

Mariolina De Fano, 79

(Born: 14 October 1940 – Died: 18 August 2020)

 

was an Italian film, theater and television actress (Tutto l'amore che c'è, The Cézanne Affair, Make a Fake). Mariolina De Fano died yesterday at the age of 80, she was found lifeless in her apartment in Bari, following an illness. She was known for having worked in several films alongside Sergio Rubini. Thanks to her great talent she has not only become an icon from Bari, but also a nationally renowned actress. Mariolina De Fano, born Maria Esther De Fano, made her debut at the age of three, on the stage of the railway post-work with a poem written by her father Vito De Fano. He has acted in numerous comedies, music and operettas, especially in Puglia, from Dongiovanni to Il Paese dei Campanelli to Assunta Spina. On television, in addition to appearing in several local broadcasts, he starred in fiction The Count of Monte Cristo. With Sergio Rubini he had shot Extraordinary performance: ''The journey of the bride'', ''All the love there is'', ''The soulmate'' and ''The boogeyman''.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 19, 2020

Allan Fotheringham, 87

(Born: August 31, 1932 — Died: August 19, 2020)

 

was a Canadian newspaper and magazine journalist. Former Vancouver Sun columnist Allan Fotheringham has died at age 87. Allan Fotheringham, “Dr. Foth” as he was known to his readers, was what we used to call a “Big Foot” columnist in journalism. It means a pull-no punches pundit with a national presence. The journalist and columnist mocked Canadians of every station in life. He revelled in his ability to draw blood, for sport as much as for therapeutic purposes. He took down mayors and monarchists, prime ministers and PR men, other journalists and the justice system, bureaucrats and the bourgeoisie with whimsical wordplay that was no less cutting for its folksiness. He built them up, too, taking credit for sparking the political careers of Brian Mulroney, Paul Martin, and Stockwell Day. He was hired straight out of university by the Vancouver Sun during the heady times of the late 1960s, the final days of the old Bennett Socreds provincially and the advent of Pierre Trudeau federally. He was one of the leading specialists in explaining the world of British Columbia politics during his time at the Sun. He later wrote for Maclean's, where his column appeared on the back page of the magazine for 27 years. He had a national syndicated column that was in 20 newspapers, but he retired from regular contributions in 2007 due to illness. Fotheringham continued to write occasionally for the Globe and also for the National Post and a Calgary magazine called The.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Todd Nance, 57

(Born: November 20, 1962 – Died: August 19, 2020)

 

was an American musician (drummer). Todd Nance, the founding drummer and 30-year member of the Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic, has died at age 57. The Georgia jam band today confirmed Nance’s death with a post on its Facebook page. It included a message from Nance’s family and a tribute from his former bandmates: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Todd Nance, a founding member of Widespread Panic, passed away early this morning in Athens, GA from sudden and unexpectedly severe complications of a chronic illness. Nance joined Houser, singer John Bell and bassist Dave Schools for the band’s first official gig as Widespread Panic in February 1986. That started Nance’s 30-year tenure as the band’s drummer. He took a hiatus from Widespread Panic beginning in late 2014 to deal with personal matters. He was replaced for all live dates by Duane Trucks. He rejoined the band for four shows in February 2016 at their "Panic en La Playa" destination event. Following this, Widespread Panic announced that Nance had officially left the band and would be replaced by Trucks permanently.

 

Cause of death: chronic illness

Slade Gorton, 92

(Born: January 8, 1928 – Died: August 19, 2020)

 

was an American politician,member of the U.S. Senate (1981–1987, 1989–2001) and Attorney General of Washington (1969–1981). Slade Gorton, a three-term U.S. senator who was the rare Republican in Democratic Washington state, has died at the age of 92. Gorton served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1946. He then attended and graduated from Dartmouth College and subsequently from Columbia Law School; he also served in the United States Air Force from 1953 until 1956, continuing to serve in the Air Force reserves until 1980 when he retired as a Colonel. After college and law school in the east, Gorton came to Seattle in 1953. He practiced law and fell in with a group of young, moderate Republicans. They included future governor and senator Dan Evans who helped Gorton win his first campaign for state Legislature in 1958. In a 40-year political career, he served in the Legislature, and as state attorney general before he became a senator. He later served on the 9/11 Commission. Gorton served as Senate Republican leader before Democrat Maria Cantwell and the growing influence of the liberal Seattle-area electorate ousted him in a tight election in 2000. Gorton was known for his aggressive consumer-protection battles as attorney general; his defeat in 1980 of the state’s legendary Democratic Sen. Warren Magnuson at the height of his power; and his work on the GOP inner team in the U.S. Senate.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 20, 2020

Chi Chi DeVayne, 34

(Born: September 24, 1985 – Died: August 20, 2020)

 

Zavion Davenport, better known by the stage name Chi Chi DeVayne, was an American drag queen and reality television personality who came to international attention on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. RuPaul's Drag Race Chi Chi DeVayne star has died at the age of just 34. It comes after she was hospitalised with pneumonia last week where she asked fans to pray for her. She was also admitted to hospital with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure in July. The reality star suffered from scleroderma, which is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition in which the immune system attacks the tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels. It can also cause scarring and thickening of body tissue. The Shreveport, La. native rose to national prominence on season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she dazzled with her quick wit and personality before finishing the competition in fourth place. DeVayne was later asked to return to compete on the third All-Stars spin-off in 2018, but was eliminated on the fourth episode. Recent All Stars winner Shea Couleé tweeted: "I'm literally so devastated and sick to my stomach. Wake me up when it's all over." DeVayne appeared on RuPaul's podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee with Michelle Visage in 2016. In March 2018, DeVayne was a part of Max Emerson's Drag Babies series, which was hosted by Bob the Drag Queen.

 

Cause of death: pneumonia

Frank Cullotta, 81

(Born: December 14, 1938 – Died: August 20, 2020)

 

was an American mobster for the Chicago Outfit, movie consultant (Casino), member of the "Hole in the Wall Gang" in Las Vegas with friend and mobster Tony Spilotro. Frank Cullotta, mobster turned informant and widely known as a friend of notorious mob boss Tony “The Ant” Spilotro and Frank Cullotta and consultant on the movie “Casino,” has died at the age of 81. Cullotta was recruited from Chicago to join Spilotro in Las Vegas, and became a member of the “Hole in the Wall Gang.” Cullotta’s name was inextricably tied to Spilotro, from their teen-age friendship to their days on the streets of Las Vegas.Cullotta was an admitted killer, known to have killed three men, and he implicated Spilotro for ordering the deaths. Geoff Schumacher, vice president of exhibits and programs for the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, said Cullotta died at an area hospital. He had COVID-19 as well as other medical issues, Schumacher said. Cullotta figured prominently in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Mobbed Up: The Fight for Las Vegas” serial podcast, which was created in partnership with the Mob Museum. In 2013, he told his story in an episode of Locked Up Abroad.

 

Cause of death: COVID-19

Desmond Guinness, 88

(Born: 8 September 1931 – Died: 20 August 2020)

 

Desmond Guinness, a descendant of Arthur Guinness, Anglo-Irish author on Georgian art and architecture, and co-founder the Irish Georgian Society, has died aged 88. Mr Guinness, who bought Leixlip Castle and lived in it for decades where he hosted rock stars like Mick Jagger, Bob Geldolf and Phil Lynott, was a ‘quiet, unassuming gentleman,’ according to local Leixlip councillor Joe Neville (FG). Along with hosting rock concerts at the castle , featuring such acts at The Rolling Stones, The Boomtown Rats and Thin Lizzy, Mr Guinness was very much a local hero whose impact on the area went back generations, Mr Neville told Independent.ie. “He had a local impact going back decades,” he said. Guinness and Mariga founded the Irish Georgian Society in April 1958 to help to preserve Irish architecture of all periods. This was timely as the Irish planning laws were enacted only from 1963. His conservation work has been recognised by many American and English cultural groups, and Europa Nostra. In 1980 he was made an honorary Doctor of Laws at Trinity College Dublin. In 2001 he was made an honorary member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and was awarded the gold medal of the Eire Society of Boston.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 21, 2020

Sir Bob Elliott, 86

(Born: 3 January 1934 – Died: 20 August 2020)

 

was a Australian-born New Zealand medical researcher. Cure Kids founder Sir Robert Elliott, also known as Bob, The Auckland man, who was knighted in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, has died at the age of 86. Elliott was educated at Adelaide High School, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide from 1951 to 1956. After working as a house surgeon in Blenheim, New Zealand, he trained in paediatric medicine in Adelaide and Denver, Colorado. He was appointed as a senior lecturer at Adelaide in 1963, and in 1970 he moved to the University of Auckland School of Medicine as the foundation professor of paediatrics.Elliott was educated at Adelaide High School, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide from 1951 to 1956. After working as a house surgeon in Blenheim, New Zealand, he trained in paediatric medicine in Adelaide and Denver, Colorado.[2] He was appointed as a senior lecturer at Adelaide in 1963, and in 1970 he moved to the University of Auckland School of Medicine as the foundation professor of paediatrics. Cure Kids said New Zealand had “lost a shining bright light in child health research”.Sir Bob Elliott, described as "a shining bright light" in Kiwi children's health. One of New Zealand's greatest medical minds, Sir Bob is best known for the heel prick test given to all new-born babies which has been adopted internationally.The test identifies Cystic Fibrosis at birth - allowing it to be treated immediately before the disease does too much damage to lungs. It increased the life expectancy of people with the illness from 7 to 10 years to more than 40 years. Sir Bob's test has saved thousands of lives and impacted millions worldwide. Sir Bob was knighted four weeks ago in recognition for his medical research. He pioneered the transplantation of insulin-producing pig cells into humans to treat Type One diabetes.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Ron Tudor, 96

(Born: 18 May 1924 – Died: 21 August 2020)

 

was an Australian producer, engineer, label owner (Fable Records) and record industry executive. Australian music industry legend Ron Tudor has passed away at the age of 96. Ron was awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1979 for his services to the recording industry. He also received the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music from APRA in 1996 and a special achievement award by APRA in 1999. He started his career with W&G Records in 1956 as a sales representative; he became their in-house producer and A&R agent before leaving in 1966. Tudor had established an independent record label, Fable Records, in late 1969 with an official launch in the following April. Tudor founded Fable's sub-label, Bootleg Records, in late 1971 in partnership with Brian Cadd. Tudor continued with Fable Records into the early 1980s but He sold the label to John McDonald in July 1984.In the following October he joined Armstrong Studios, which was renamed as AAV Studios.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 22, 2020

Alessandro Mazzinghi, 81

(Born: 3 October 1938 – Died: 22 August 2020)

 

was an Italian boxer, WBA world light-middleweight champion (1963–1965, 1968). Sandro Mazzinghi, a never forgotten boxing champion, who would have turned 82 in October, died at the Lotti hospital in Pontedera (Pisa), his hometown. In 1961 Mazzinghi won the Military World Championships. The same year he turned professional, following his elder brother Guido. Mazzinghi was world superwelter champion in the years 1963-65 and 1968-69. Last year he was inducted into the Italian boxing Hall of Fame. He remained world champion until 1965, a year in which he suffered a terrible accident. The boxer remained in critical condition for some days, with a skull fracture that would condition his career in the following years. Mazzinghi came back in the ring to defend his title in Genoa, Italy, against Tony Montano (knockout in the 12th round) and in Rome, against Fortunato Manca (winning by decision in 15 rounds). Mazzinghi’s professional career began on September 15, 1961 and ended with a match in Florence on March 4, 1978. Between these two dates, 64 matches won, 43 of which by knockout, and only 3 lost.

 

Cause of death: stroke

Emil Jula, 40

(Born: 3 January 1980 – Died: 22 August 2020)

 

was a Romanian professional footballer (Universitatea Cluj, Oțelul Galați, Energie Cottbus). Emil Jula died unexpectedly at the age of just 40. According to media reports, Energie Cottbus’s former Bundesliga professional had apparently suffered a heart attack. The father of a daughter called himself a doctor in the morning because he felt unwell. A few hours later he was dead.The club already responded. The Romanian played 100 times for Cottbus in the Bundesliga between 2008 and 2011, scoring 29 goals. The club expressed its condolences to Jula’s family on Twitter. Jula experienced her most successful time in Germany in Cottbus. From there he moved to Duisburg, was later on for a short time at VfL Osnabruck and then ended his career at TuS Bersenbruck, where he became assistant coach after the end of his career in 2018 – ten years after moving to Germany.

 

Cause of death: heart attack

  August 23, 2020

Benny Chan, 58

(Born: 7 October 1961 – Died: 23 August 2020)

 

was a Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter. Benny Chan, master of the action blockbuster and director of three films with Jackie Chan, has died at the age of 58 from cancer. According to information from the Hong Kong daily Apple Daily, he had fallen brutally ill last year during the shooting of his last film, Raging Fire. The five-time best director nominee at the Hong Kong Film Awards was transferred to the private hospital in Happy Valley four days ago after being treated for terminal nasopharyngeal cancer at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin for months. Considered one of the best action directors, Benny Chan made his debut with Johnnie To and Tsui Hark in the 1990s before winning in 1996 with Big Bullet, impressive thriller about the hunt for a gang of psychopathic robbers.Chan began as a clerk and assistant director at Rediffusion Television - later renamed as Asia Television - after finishing secondary school in 1981. Best known for his action movies, Chan directed A Moment of Romance with the help of To, who was the film's producer. It earned a whopping HK$12.9 million at the local box office. Chan was known for police and crime films - one of which, his 1996 film Big Bullet, which he directed, produced and co-written - won awards for film editing at the 1996 Golden Horse Film Festival and the 16th Hong Kong Film Awards. His other well-known works include New Police Story, Shaolin, Gen-X Cops, and Who Am I? A fan of action movies and car racing when he was young, Chan had frequently used such elements in his films.

 

Cause of death: nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Lori Nelson, 87

(Born: August 15, 1933 – Died: August 23, 2020)

 

was an American actress and model. Lori Nelson, the 1950s starlet who was kidnapped by an amphibious monster in Revenge of the Creature and portrayed Barbara Stanwyck's daughter in Douglas Sirk's All I Desire, has died peacefully at the age of 87. Nelson had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years and died at her home in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles, her daughter Jennifer Mann said. She began her career at the age of 2 appearing in local theater productions. When she was 4 years old, her family moved to Encino, California. At the age of 5, she won the title of "Little Miss America". She was voted Santa Fe's most talented and beautiful child, and toured the state billed as "Santa Fe's Shirley Temple." She worked as a fashion photographer's model, then (in the early 1940s) made her first bid for a movie career, testing (unsuccessfully) for a role in Warner Brothers' Kings Row (1942). She was one of the leads in an 18th-century adventure story, Mohawk. Nelson had top billing in a street-racing film, Hot Rod Girl, also starring Chuck Connors, and the following year she co-starred opposite Mamie Van Doren as law-breakers sentenced to work on a "punishment" farm in Untamed Youth. In 1957 she co-starred with Van Johnson in a TV Thanksgiving holiday special, "The Pied Piper Of Hamelin". That led to Nelson being cast in the TV version of 'How To Marry A Millionaire' along with Barbara Eden and Merry Andrews. It ran for 39 episodes. Her last role was in the 2005 low-budget science fiction horror film The Naked Monster, in which she reprised her Revenge of the Creature role.

 

Cause of death: Alzheimer's disease

John H. Hager, 83

(Born: August 28, 1936 – Died: August 23, 2020)

 

was an American politician. John H. Hager, a former Virginia lieutenant governor who served from 1998 to 2002, has died at the age of 83. Gov. Ralph Northam ordered state flags to be flown at half staff for 10 days in Hager’s honor following his death Sunday, according to a statement from the governor. The Republican and former tobacco executive presided over a state Senate that was under GOP control for the first time in more than a century, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. He later served as the top state security assistant to then-Gov. Mark Warner after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, became an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education under President George W. Bush and was briefly was chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. Hager was born in Durham, North Carolina. He started a neighborhood newspaper in 1945. While an undergraduate at Purdue University he ran a vending machine business. In 1973, after serving in the U.S. Army, Hager was a successful businessman, when he contracted polio, after his newborn son was vaccinated with a weakened live vaccine. He was initially paralyzed from the neck down. With rigorous rehabilitation, Hager became a wheelchair athlete, completing more than a dozen marathons. By the mid-1990s, Hager served as treasurer of Virginia’s Republican Party. In 1996 he began his run for lieutenant governor, and in 1997 defeated Democratic opponent L.F. Payne. He proceeded to act as an assistant secretary within the United States Department of Education from 2004 to 2007. He also served as the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia from August 2007 until May 2008. Hager’s son Henry married President George W. Bush’s daughter Jenna in 2008. “The father of Henry, our son-in-law, was a great man and a great friend to our family,” the former president said in a statement.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Gerald D. Hines, 95

(Born: August 15, 1925 – Died: August 23, 2020)

 

was an American real estate developer, founder of Hines Interests Limited Partnership. Real estate legend Gerald D. Hines, founder and chairman of real estate firm Hines, known for Galleria, Waterwall and Houston's skyline, has died at 95. Hines was born in Gary, Indiana.His parents had moved to Gary from Nova Scotia in 1923. Hines was descended from British loyalists who fought in the Revolutionary War.[Hines is known for several popular properties in the Houston area and across the country. His name is on the famous Waterwall near The Galleria. Some of his signature properties in Houston include the JPMorgan Chase Tower, The Galleria and Williams Tower. Hines, who launched his property company as a one-man shop in Houston in 1957, developed billions of dollars’ worth of real estate across the globe, influencing generations of builders and leaving a lasting mark on the world’s top cities. A pivotal point in his career that allowed him access to new markets and deep-pocketed investors came in the mid-1960s when his firm simultaneously developed Houston’s 50-story One Shell Plaza and the Galleria mall. His son, Jeffrey Hines, who took the helm of the business in 1990, said his father was a brilliant salesman who operated with an understated approach. He used his vast knowledge of real estate and stressed the importance of quality to win over customers. Awards: 1979: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, 2000: Honor Award from the National Building Museum, 2008: the first Visionary Leadership in Real Estate Development Award, a lifetime achievement award from Harvard University.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Justin Townes Earle, 38

(Born: January 4, 1982 – Died: August 23, 2020)

 

was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Justin Townes Earle, the singer-songwriter known for his mix of old-timey roots music and modern-day Americana, has died at age 38. A rep for Earle’s label New West Records confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone, though a cause of death was not immediately revealed. Nashville native, known for his mix of old-timey roots music and modern folk-rock, was the son of Steve Earle. Named for his father’s friend and idol Townes Van Zandt, Earle, 38, battled addiction throughout his life. By the time he was 14, Earle was doing residencies in the competitive Nashville songwriter’s scene. It was the mid-1990s, and artists in the so-called alternative country movement, spearheaded by acts such as Uncle Tupelo, BR-549 and Neko Case, were mixing post-punk energy with honky-tonk twang. He released eight albums across the course of his career. He won Emerging Act of the Year at the 2009 Americana Honors & Awards and Song of the Year in 2011 with his song "Harlem River Blues," according to the awards website. He was also nominated for Artist of the Year in 2012. Earle's most recent album, "The Saint of Lost Causes," was released in 2019. Earle played in two Nashville bands: the Distributors, a rock band, and a ragtime and bluegrass combo the Swindlers.[6] Earle spent some time as guitarist and keyboardist for his father's touring band the Dukes. Earle developed a hybrid style of music mixing folk, blues and country. Like his famous father, Justin struggled with addiction from an early age and checked into rehab multiple times. He said in June 2017 that he was sober.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 24, 2020

Arrigo Levi, 94

(Born: 17 July 1926 – Died: 24 August 2020)

 

Arrigo Levi, journalist, writer, TV presenter, died tonight in his Roman home, was 94 years old. The news of his disappearance was given by La Stampa, of which he was director. When he realized he was about to die, he sang the hymn of Israel and a Modenese nursery rhyme, a memory of his childhood. He recently returned to his Rome home after a long stay in hospital. Levi was a former editor of La Stampa, the Turin-based liberal newspaper.He was also a leader writer for Corriere della Sera, Italy's top newspaper. "I remember his civic passion and humane nature", said President Sergio Mattarella. The president of the Roman Jewish community, Ruth Dureghello, said that Levi left his mark on Italy. (ANSA). From a family of Jewish descent, in 1938, when he was twelve he moved to Argentina with his family in order to escape Fascist persecution. In Buenos Aires he completed his studies and in 1943 he began his career in journalism, as the director of ''Italia libera''. fter the war he left Argentina and returned to Modena with his family.In 1960 he moved to Moscow. Here, until 1962, he was a correspondent for Corriere della Sera and then, until 1966, he was a correspondent for Il Giorno. In 1966 he moved to Rai, where he conducted the news program until 1968. In 1988 he was appointed Chief Editor of Corriere della Sera and from 1998 to July 3, 2007 he was Adviser for External Relations to two Italian presidents, first Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and then Giorgio Napolitano. The name of Levi is linked to many programs edited for Rai, such as Tam Tam (1981), Point seven and Point seven, one life. He also worked for Canale 5, leading the Tivù Tivù program with Angelo Campanella (from 1987 to 1988). Thereafter, again for RAI: ''I giorni dell'infanzia'' (1993), ''Emozioni TV'' (1995) and ''Gli archivi del Cremlino'' (The Kremlin Archives) (1997), a program which he also authored. In 1999, on RAI1, he directed'' C'era una volta la Russia'' (Once Upon A Time, Russia).

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Robbe De Hert, 77

(Born: 20 September 1942 – Died: 24 August 2020)

 

was a Belgian film director. Flemish director Robbe De Hert passed away today, surrounded by his close family and friends. This report Lou De Hert, his son and Stan De Hert, his brother and Gil Knevels and Ida Dequeecker, his intimate friends. Robbe De Hert was a pioneer of Flemish film. He was co-founder (in 1966) and the driving force behind Fugitive Cinema, the legendary Antwerp videographers collective. With successful feature films such as Camera Sutra (1973), ‘De Witte van Sichem’ (1980), Gaston's War (1997) Lijmen/Het Been (2000), Brylcream Boulevard (1995) and ‘Blueberry Hill’ (1989), Robbe De Hert has repeatedly given Flemish film the right to exist. De Hert won the André Cavens Award for Best Film in 2000, with his film Lijmen/Het Been. Robbe De Hert was also a pivotal figure in the King Kong, the cultural center that played a central role in the progressive social and cultural life in Antwerp between 1972 and 1982. For Michaël Pas, “Robbe De Hert was a folk hero. Someone who made himself. Without education, without resources with nothing but his talent and his stubbornness.

 

Cause of death: complications from diabetes

Pascal Lissouba, 88

(Born: 15 November 1931 – Died: 24 August 2020)

 

was a Congolese politician, President (1992–1997) and Prime Minister (1963–1966). Former Congolese president Pascal Lissouba, who in 1992 won his country's first multi-party presidential elections, died in France on Monday at the age of 88, his party told AFP. "President Lissouba passed away after an illness," Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) spokesman and MP Honore Sayi said. Lissouba died in Perpignan, southwestern France, he said. He was no longer managing the affairs of the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), the party he had created in the early 1990s and of which Pascal Tsaty-Mabiala is now director. After losing power in October 1997 following the Congolese civil war, the late former head of state had moved to France in 2004 after stays in Libreville, Burkina Faso and London. He intended to return to the Congo for the 2002 elections, but in December 2001 he was tried in absentia in Brazzaville, and convicted to 30 years forced labor for treason and corruption, related to a $150 million oil deal with the American company Occidental Petroleum. For several years, he claimed the status of constitutional president of the Republic and accused French President Chirac and the French oil extraction company Elf of having favoured Sassou-Nguesso’s seizure of power by force. In 1991, Lissouba set up UPADS as international pressure pushed Sassou Nguesso, a French-trained paratrooper who came to power in 1979, to organise a multi-party vote. But his historic victory the following year was marred by clashes that broke out in 1993 between armed groups of the country's ruling and opposition parties that left around 2,000 dead. In October 1997, Sassou Nguesso returned to power, ousting Lissouba with the support of Angolan troops after a five-month conflict that claimed between 4,000 and 10,000 lives.

 

Cause of death: complications from Alzheimer's disease

  August 25, 2020

Arnold Spielberg, 103

(Born: February 6, 1917 – Died: August 25, 2020)

 

was an American electrical engineer (GE-200 series). Arnold Meyer Spielberg, electrical engineer and father of film director Steven Spielberg, passed away of natural causes in Los Angeles, Steven Spielberg’s production company Amblin announced Tuesday night. He was 103.Arnold is leaves behind his his children Steven, screenwriter Anne, marketing executive Sue and producer Nancy. Spielberg was born on Feb. 6, 1917, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon developed a passion for learning and innovation. Arnold was a World War II veteran who enlisted as an army sergeant in 1941 before marrying Steven's mum Leah Posner when he returned from duty in 1945. Steven was born the following year. A successful engineer, Arnold was awarded an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Pioneer Award for his work designing computers and gadgets. Arnold worked on and helped design the groundbreaking GE-225 mainframe computer in 1960, which would go on to form the basis for the coding tools that would pave the way for personal computing. Arnold's celebrated son has praised his father for his support in the past, specifically recalling how his dad helped him create his first indie film, Firelight, when he was only 17 years old. The filmmaker has also shared that tales of his father's service in World War II inspired, in part, his acclaimed 1998 war drama Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg retired in 1991 but continued consultation work for technology companies as well as working with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Neil Sachse, 69

(Born: 3 January 1951 – Died: 25 August 2020)

 

was a South Australian National Football League & Victorian Football League Australian rules footballer and disability advocate. Former SANFL and VFL elite footballer Neil Sachse, who tirelessly campaigned to improve the treatment of spinal cord injuries after being left quadriplegic by an infamous on-field incident, has died at the age of 69, Professor Steve Wesselingh, the director of South Australia's Health and Medical Research Institute, has confirmed. During his second game for Footscray in 1975, Sachse collided with a Fitzroy opponent, suffering a spinal cord injury which left him a quadriplegic. Following the unfortunate injury, Sachse founded an organisation to raise funds for research into the treatment of spinal cord injury, in 1994. It was later named the Neil Sachse Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars for research into finding a cure. During his football career, he played for North Adelaide in the 1970s, before moving to Victoria where, in the second round of the 1975 VFL season, he was involved in an on-field collision with another player. Since 1994, the Neil Sachse Centre has raised more than $8 million for spinal cord research and its current director Sarah Boucaut said he would be dearly missed. "We are poorer for his loss, but spinal cord injury research is so much richer for what Neil has been able to achieve and his legacy continues," she said.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 26, 2020

Oscar Cruz, 85

(Born: November 17, 1934 – Died: August 26, 2020)

 

was an archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines, Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan (1991–2009), president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (1995–1999). Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan died at the Cardinal Santos Hospital at the age of 85. Cruz's wake will be held at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Dagupan City. Cruz is known for his stinging critiques of sitting presidents, sparing no one – most recently Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte. He has criticized abuses within the Catholic Church and crusaded against illegal numbers game jueteng. Oscar Cruz was born on November 17, 1934 in Balanga, Bataan, Philippines. He received his seminary training at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, and further theology studies at the Lateran University. On September 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the retirement of Archbishop Cruz. He was replaced by Bishop Socrates B. Villegas of the Diocese of Balanga."He was a faithful shepherd. He was a courageous prophet. He was a brilliant canon lawyer. He was a patriot and pastor,".

 

Cause of death: multiple organ failure and COVID-19

Ronald E. Rosser, 90

(Born: October 24, 1929 – Died: August 26, 2020)

 

was a United States Army soldier who received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society regretfully announces that Ronald E. Rosser, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in Bumpus Mills, TN, at the age of 90. As a corporal in the U.S. Army on January 12, 1952, Rosser's platoon was ordered to take a hill on the outskirts of Ponggilli, Korea. Rosser led a charge up a heavily defended hill, through heavy enemy fire that was pinning down the advance of his unit. Halfway up, he realized he was alone, but kept going. He took out enemy placements as he advanced, before exhausting his ammunition, which necessitated a trip back down the hill, reversing his steps through the enemy fire. After replenishing his ammunition and grenades, he fought his way up the hill again. After a third time up the hill, his platoon was forced to withdraw under the still-continuous enemy fire. Although wounded from his three trips up the hill as a one-man Army, Rosser helped evacuate two other injured soldiers. Rosser returned to the United States in May 1952 and was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman a month later, on June 27, 1952. In 1968, another of Rosser's brothers was killed in action, this time in the Vietnam War. Rosser requested a combat assignment in Vietnam but was rejected and subsequently retired from the army as a master sergeant.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Gerald Carr, 88

(Born: August 22, 1932 – Died: August 26, 2020)

 

was an American mechanical and aeronautical engineer. Former NASA astronaut Gerald "Jerry" Carr, who in 1973 led the record-setting, final mission on the first U.S. space station, Skylab, has died at the age of 88. Carr's death was confirmed by his family in a statement shared by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. “NASA and the nation have lost a pioneer of long duration spaceflight," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of astronaut Gerald 'Jerry' Carr, whose work provided a deeper understanding of life on Earth and in space." Carr graduated from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 1954 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Later that same year he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and advanced to the rank of colonel. He continued his education at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, where he received a second bachelor’s degree in 1962, this time in aeronautical engineering. After pursuing advanced studies in the same field at Princeton University, he entered the astronaut program in 1966. He played a key role in the development of the lunar rover, a vehicle used on the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions to explore the Moon’s surface.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

  August 27, 2020

Eugene McCabe, 90

(Born: 7 July, 1930 - Died: 27 August, 2020)

 

was an Irish novelist, short story writer, playwright and television screenwriter. Eugene McCabe, one of Ireland’s leading contemporary writers, has died, aged 90. He made his name as a playwright, his breakthrough play King of the Castle offending The League of Decency in 1964. He was born in Glasgow in 1930 to Irish parents but he came to Ireland with his family in the 1940s. Mr McCabe received many awards for his work including the Irish Life Theatre Award in 1964 for 'King of the Castle', which was first produced that year by the Dublin Theatre Festival. He also received the Legum Doctorate from University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, in 1990 and the Butler Literary Award for Prose from Irish American Cultural Institute in 2002. He was a member of Aosdána, an Irish association of artists. His 1992 novel Death and Nightingales, described by author Colm Tóibín as “one of the great Irish masterpieces of the century” was recently adapted for television by the BBC. As well as writing a series of highly acclaimed short story collections, most recently Heaven Lies about Us (2005), he also wrote for children and the nonficiton work, Shadows from the Pale: Portrait of an Irish Town (1996). He defended fellow novelist Dermot Healy by attacking a reviewer of his book, Eileen Battersby, in The Irish Times in 2011, using the Joycean cloacal invective "shite and onions", causing considerable controversy in the Irish literary community.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Mike Noga, 42

(Born: April 25, 1978 - Died: 27 August, 2020)

 

was an Australian rock multi-instrumentalist (The Drones). Mike Noga, esteemed solo artist and former drummer for Australian rock bands The Drones and Legends Of Motorsport has died at the age of 42. "We are absolutely devastated to inform you of the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle and dearest friend Mike," his family posted on Facebook this afternoon.The cause of death has not been revealed. He released three solo albums and played with The Drones for over a decade.Taking his spot behind the kit for the Drones, Noga and the band were outright stars of Australia’s independent music scene. Their place among the elite was confirmed when their April 2005 sophomore album Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By won the inaugural Australian Music Prize. After ten years, Noga left the band in 2014 to pursue a solo career. Two years later, in 2016, he released his critically acclaimed third solo set King, via Cooking Vinyl, based on Georg Büchner's great unfinished play, Woyzeck. In July, Noga announced he had signed to Part Time Records to put out his new solo album. Double J report the album, recorded last year and produced by Alan Sparhawk of Low, is titled ‘Open Fire’ and is scheduled for release in 2021.

 

Cause of death: unknown

David Bryant, 88

(Born: 27 October 1931 - Died: 27 August 2020)

 

was a British bowler, world champion (1966, 1980, 1988). David Bryant, the winner of multiple Commonwealth gold medals and world titles, has died aged 88.The Englishman won six world singles titles - three outdoor and three indoor - while four of his five Commonwealth golds were in singles competition. Born into a bowling dynasty his grandfather was a founder member of the Clevedon Bowling Club. His father, Reginald Bryant, won three national fours rinks titles. A schoolteacher at St Andrews Junior School, in Clevedon, Bryant’s bowling career started when he was 31 when he won two gold medals in the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth. Bowls was not included in the 1966 games, but Bryant returned in 1970, 74 and 78 winning further gold medals. Bryant was then rarely off the circuit earning himself many titles throughout his career. Much remembered by the pipe he continually held between his teeth, but never lit. He is generally considered to be the greatest bowler of all time, winning 19 World and Commonwealth gold medals in total.In 1969 he was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to bowls, and in 1980 he was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), again for services to bowls.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

David Mercer, 70

(Born: April 1950 - Died: 27 August, 2020)

 

was a British sports commentator and tennis umpire. BBC commentator and former tennis umpire David Mercer has died aged 70. Mercer, who umpired the 1984 Wimbledon final between John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, was part of the BBC's commentary team for the grass-court Grand Slam for the past 35 years. Mercer was born in Swansea in 1950 and won a Welsh junior doubles tennis title in 1968. He was a graduate of Nottingham University and qualified as a solicitor, running his own firm in Swansea for nine years. He started his sports broadcasting career in 1979 after winning a BBC Wales competition, becoming a full-time broadcaster five years later. As well as tennis, he commentated on sports such as American football, cricket, rowing, rugby union and skiing. “The LTA is saddened today to hear of the passing of one of our sport’s most iconic and distinguished voices in David Mercer,” said Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd. “John McEnroe called him a s*** once and he always enjoyed that,” said Mercer’s long-time agent Anthony Blackburn. He continued to travel the tennis circuit as a freelance commentator for the BBC and Eurosport, and would have worked at Wimbledon this year but for the tournament being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Bob Armstrong, 80

(Born: October 3, 1939 – Died: August 27, 2020)

 

was an American Hall of Fame professional wrestler (National Wrestling Alliance , Continental Championship Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling). Armstrong’s sons Brian “Road Dogg” James and Scott Armstrong made the unfortunate announcement tonight via social media, writing: ''It is with a very heavy heart we announce the passing of our Father and (WWE) Hall of Famer “Bullet” Bob Armstrong''. The icon suffered from bone cancer and the disease had spread to his ribs, shoulder and prostate. Armstrong, A former United States Marine and ex-Cobb County (Georgia) firefighter, wrestled in numerous territories across the States. He faced some of the biggest names in wrestling history, including the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. Armstrong also holds the distinction of competing inside the ring a staggering 59 years apart - debuting in 1960 and wrestling for the final time in 2019. 'Bullet' Bob (real name Joseph James) wrestled consistently between the 1960s and late-1980s for numerous territories in North America, challenging on occasion for the NWA World Heavyweight Title as and worked consistently for Continental Championship Wrestling and other NWA affiliates across the southern states. Stints in Japan, Smokey Mountain Wrestling, WCW and even TNA. A 2011 induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame for his immense contributions to the industry came despite him never working for the organisation.

 

Cause of death: bone cancer

Lute Olson, 85

(Born: September 22, 1934 – Died: August 27, 2020)

 

was an American Hall of Fame college basketball coach (Arizona Wildcats, Iowa Hawkeyes, Long Beach State 49ers). Lute Olson, the legendary coach who put Arizona Wildcats basketball on the map and coached the Arizona Wildcats for 24 seasons from 1983 to 2008, has died at age 85, his wife Kelly told Stadium’s Jeff Goodman on Thursday night. The cause of death is unknown at this time, but Olson has long battled health issues, including a stroke in February 2019 that hospitalized him. KVOA reported Tuesday that he was in hospice care. Olson led the Wildcats to the 1997 national championship and coached his team to four Final Fours (1988, 1994, 1997, 2001). Olson won national Coach of the Year honors five times. Olson had 781 career coaching wins, with a record of 589-187 at Arizona. Olson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Statue of Olson was erected outside the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson in 2018. The Wildcats' home court inside McKale was named in his honor in 2000, then became "Lute and Bobbi Olson Court" a year later to honor his late wife. He is one of only 14 men's coaches to take two different schools to the Final Four. He won a state basketball title for his North Dakota High School, then went on to be a standout in football, basketball and baseball at Minneapolis' Augsburg College in the mid-1950s. Olson left his post in 2007 due to health concerns before ultimately stepping down for good in the fall of 2008.

 

Cause of death: unknown

  August 28, 2020

Manuel Valdés, 89

(Born: 29 January 1931 – Died: 28 August 2020)

 

was a Mexican actor and comedian. Mexican comic actor Manuel Valdés, known by his nickname “El Loco” or “The Crazy One”, has died at the age of 89, the national association of actors announced Friday. He was the last of three brothers who played huge roles in Mexican comedy, TV and movies for more than seven decades. Known for his huge bushy eyebrows and manic stare, Manuel Valdés had suffered from numerous ailments, including cancer, in recent years. “We say farewell to one of the greatest figures of Mexican comedy, until we met again, Manuel ”El Loco"Valdés," the actors association wrote in its Twitter account. He was the last of three brothers who played huge roles in Mexican comedy, TV and movies for more than seven decades.The youngest of the three brothers, Valdés had a TV show in the 1970s that was taken off the air, purportedly on orders from the president, after Valdés used a humorous nickname to refer to 19th century national hero Benito Juárez. His two brothers died in 1973 1988. He was also the father of singers Cristian Castro and Marcos Valdés. 

 

Cause of death: cancer

Siah Armajani, 81

(Born: 10 July 1939 – Died: 28 August 2020)

 

was an Iranian-American sculptor and architect. Siah Armajani, an under-known giant of contemporary art whose work in a variety of mediums attested to the power of vernacular architecture and collaborative social spaces, has died at 81. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which staged a New York retrospective of his art co-organized with the Walker Art Center in 2019, announced the news on social media on Thursday night. ArtAsiaPacific reported that he died of heart failure. Armajani was born in Tehran in 1939. After getting kicked out of private art lessons, he got his start as a teenager making political collages in support of the pro-democracy opposition party after the CIA and MI6-orchestrated Iranian coup of 1953. Fearing for his son’s safety, Armajani’s father sent him to the US in 1960. The artist enrolled at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Armajani remained in the Twin Cities, and made major works in the region, including The Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, a 375-foot steel bridge featuring a John Ashbery poem that crosses a 16-lane highway to connect the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Loring Park. (The bridge was repainted and lit for the first time in 2018, in honor of the Walker retrospective.) Siah Armajani designed the Olympic Torch presiding over the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. In 2010, he won a Knight Fellow award granted by United States Artists. “I knew that’s all I want to do, to be an artist. So I made my commitment by becoming a political artist from day one, until now. Anything I do, either in an obvious way or a discrete way, is political,” Armajani said in 2018.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Chadwick Boseman, 43

(Born: November 29, 1976 – Died: August 28, 2020)

 

was an American actor (Black Panther, 42, Marshall). US actor Chadwick Boseman, best known for playing Black Panther in the hit Marvel superhero franchise, has died of cancer aged 43. He died at home in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side, a statement posted on social media said. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago but had not made the information public. "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you so many of the films you have come to love so much," the statement said. "From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy." Boseman was born in South Carolina and graduated from Howard University. He starred in various television shows in the early 2000s before getting the star role as Jackie Robinson, the first Black person to play in Major League Baseball, in the 2013 film "42,". In 2008, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and landed his first lead role in the 2013 film “42,” in which he portrayed baseball pioneer and star Jackie Robinson. In the final tweet posted to his account before his death, the actor shared a picture with Sen. Kamala Harris after she was chosen to be the Democratic vice presidential nominee. Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger said Boseman was "an extraordinary talent, and one of the most gentle and giving souls I have ever met."

 

Cause of death: colon cancer

  August 29, 2020

Clifford Robinson, 53

(Born: December 16, 1966 – Died: August 29, 2020)

 

was an American professional basketball player (Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns) and reality television personality (Survivor: Cagayan). Cliff Robinson, an NBA All-Star who played 18 seasons in the league, has died at the age of 53. The cause of death was not immediately known. In 2017, he was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. Robinson was drafted in 1989 by the Portland Trailblazers, where he played for eight seasons and NBA Finals teams. He also played for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets. He won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1993 and was an All-Star in 1994. Nicknamed "Uncle Cliffy" and known for his trademark headband, Robinson spent 18 seasons in the NBA, winning the 1993 Sixth Man of the Year award and earning an All-Star nod. His streak of 461 consecutive games played with the Trail Blazers still stands as a franchise record, and Robinson ranks among the team's all-time leaders in blocks (2nd), points (5th), games played (5th), steals (6th), 3-pointers (7th) and rebounds (10th). After his playing days, he appeared on the reality show Survivor as part of the Survivor: Cagayan season that aired in 2014. He was the fifth person voted off the island. Robinson finishing in 14th place in a season themed “Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty” and as Survivor: Cagayan. Robinson was on the “Brawn” tribe. Although he tried to initially keep his identity secret, he was recognized by a fellow contestant. “I have a few of your basketball cards, I’m not gonna lie,” Woo Hwang told Robinson.

 

Cause of death: unknown (complications of brain hemorrhage?)

Serjik Teymourian, 46

(Born: 29 May 1974 – Died: 29 August 2020)

 

was an Armenian-Iranian footballer (defensive midfielder). Serjik Teymourian, the older brother of Andranik Teymourian has passed away at the age of 46. He had a car accident earlier this month and was in a coma. He was a product of Ararat Tehran and was joined Esteghlal academy in 1993. Then he was played three seasons for Esteghlal's junior squad. Serjik played for Ararat Tehran, Esteghlal Tehran. He joined 1. FSV Mainz 05 in summer 1998 but was released by the club at the end of the 1999–00 season. I also remember him playing for Iran's Olympic team for the 1996 Olympic qualifiers alongside Edmund Bezik, Mehdi Mahdavikia and Nima Nakisa. On 12 July 2020, Teymourian had an accident after a vehicle crashed with his motorcycle. He went in coma and was hospitalised in northern Tehran.

 

Cause of death: traffic collision

  August 30, 2020

Rodolfo Abularach, 87

(Born: January 7, 1933 – Died: August 30, 2020)

 

was a Guatemalan painter and printmaker of Palestinian descent. Rodolfo Abularach was born on January 7, 1933 in Guatamala City, Guatamala to Palastinian parents who had immigrated there. His work focuses mainly on the human eye. He attended the Escuela Nacional de las Artes Plásticas in Guatemala City starting in 1947 and graduating in 1954. In 1958 he studied in New York City on a Guatemalan government grant, studying at the Arts Student League and Graphic Arts center. In 1959 he received another scholarship to study at the Guggenheim in New York. At that point he moved to New York, where he continues to live. Abularach began to explore surrealism and figurativism as applied to the MesoAmerican world of his youth. His later work from the 1960s through 1980s is characterized by the dramatic representation of the human eyes, a subject he felt allowed him to explore light and shadows, using all media, something he continued for almost 20 years. For almost two decades he continued meticulously to explore the “Eye” until, in the mid 1980’s, Abularach changed the inward focus of his gaze from the eye, outward to the landscape. In the late 1980s he began to focus his interest on the landscape. In 2010, the Rozas Botrán Foundation named Abularach as Artist of the Year at the XII Intercontinental Art Festival in May 2010. Rodolfo Abularach is considered as one of Latin America’s most distinguished Masters who’s works are included in the permanent collections of prestigious art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the MoMA - Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Museum of the Americas, Washington, DC.

 

Cause of death: natural causes

Daddy Boastin, 61

(Born: July 11, 1959 – Died: August 30, 2020)

 

was a Saint Vincent-born Swedish rapper. Winston Errol Barbour, better known by the stage name Daddy Boastin ', has died. This is confirmed by Douglas "Dogge Doggelito" Leon. He is one of the first known Swedish toasters and an early artist in Swedish ragga / dancehall. He became known to the large audience for his collaboration with The Latin Kings. Boastin involved in all of the group's records. He also collaborated with Teddybears Sthlm and influenced the Swedish reggae scene during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2002, he released the album "Wanted" in Swedish. Dogge describes Boastin as a strong leader in the Swedish music scene: ''He has meant an incredible amount. I was 17 when I met him. He came from the Caribbean with his reaggaetouch - already a veteran - and taught us to rap better and go on the attack. I have a lot to thank him for my stage presence.'' He was surrounded by his children.

 

Cause of death: cancer

Ric Drasin, 76

(Born: July 12, 1944 – Died: August 30, 2020)

 

was an American bodybuilder, personal trainer, actor, stuntman, author, and professional wrestler. Ric Drasin, the worlds favorite bodybuilding historian and wrestling legend passed away suddenly at the age of 76. Ric Drasin was known for his great interviews named 'Ric's Corner'. He invited Tom Platz, Richard Baldwin and other golden era legends. They talked and laughed about the god old days. According to his son, Ric had a knee replacement and it went wrong. And another knee replacement was planned in mid september. Ric Drasin wrestled professionally for 36 years between 1965 and 2001, while also winning titles in amateur bodybuilding contests during his younger years. Drasin is also known for having designed both the original Gold's Gym logo — a cartoon sketch of a bald weightlifter, and the World Gym gorilla logo. Drasin began working in film in 1972, playing a gym manager who was attacked by rats in the horror movie Ben. In 1980, he played an uncredited role on the popular Incredible Hulk television series as the " demi hulk " a half transformed version of Bixby as a human Hulk in the episode " Prometheus ". It was a mystery that perplexed fans for many decades as to who the identity of the guest star was. In the 1980s, he also wrestled several matches for the WWF when they ran in Los Angeles. In the 1990s, Drasin created his own wrestling school and started the American Wrestling Federation, which held shows in the Los Angeles and Bakersfield area from 1996 until 2001.

 

Cause of death: complications after surgery

  August 31, 2020

John Thompson, 78

(Born: September 2, 1941 – Died: August 31, 2020)

 

was an American Hall of Fame basketball player (Boston Celtics) and men's college basketball coach (Georgetown). 'The real-life Black Panther': Former Georgetown coach John Thompson has died, according to friends and family. There is no word on a cause yet. Thompson was 78 years old. He had recently retired in May from the Nike Board of Directors. Thompson played college basketball for the Providence Friars and earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1964. He was selected in the third round of the 1964 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He played two seasons for the Celtics, who won an NBA championship in both seasons. Thompson coached at Georgetown from 1972 to 1999. He put together a record of 596-239; a .714 winning percentage, during his time at Georgetown. He played a huge role in the rise of the Big East Conference. He turned Georgetown into a national power when he recruited a young center named Patrick Ewing in 1981. Johnson was the first black coach to win an NCAA Championship. He won the 1984 NCAA Championship, led by future NBA star Patrick Ewing. Thompson championed players’ rights, staging a walk-out in a 1989 game to protest Proposition 48, which would prohibit players from playing as freshmen if they failed to earn a qualifying SAT score. Thompson viewed Prop 48 and, especially standardized tests, as racially biased. On January 8, 1999, Thompson announced his resignation as Georgetown’s head coach, citing marriage problems. He was replaced by longtime assistantCraig Esherick, a popular player’s coach. Thompson was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fameon October 1, 1999. After retiring from coaching, he became a radio and TV sports commentator.

 

Cause of death: unknown

Pranab Mukherjee, 84

(Born: 11 December 1935 – Died: 31 August 2020)

 

was an Indian politician who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. Pranab Mukherjee, elder statesman and one of the country's most respected politicians, has died at 84. The former President of India, who tested positive for coronavirus, had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month. "With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You," his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted. This morning, the army hospital in Delhi had reported a decline in his condition. He had gone into septic shock due to his lung infection, the Army's Research and Referral Hospital had said. Before being elected as the President, Mukherjee served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009-2012 and a senior leader of the Congress. He was also awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019 by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. Mukherjee got his break in politics in 1969 when the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament of India, on a Congress ticket. Following a meteoric rise, he became one of Gandhi's most trusted lieutenants and a minister in her cabinet in 1973. In 2017, Mukherjee decided not to run for re-election and to retire from politics after leaving the presidency due to "health complications relating to old age.

 

Cause of death: lung infection / COVID-19

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