in memoriam

20 years on, New Orleans remembers Hurricane Katrina with memorials and brass band parade

By Jack Brook, Associated Press

Katrina, which was a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall in southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005, remains the costliest U.S. storm on record. About 1,400 people died in five states.

Judge Frank Caprio, whose empathy in Rhode Island court earned him fame, dies at 88

By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press

Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of “Caught in Providence,” has died.

Terence Stamp, British actor who portrayed General Zod in early ‘Superman’ films, dies at 87

By Pan Pylas, Associated Press

Stamp’s six decades in the business were peppered with highlights, but it was his portrayal of the bearded General Zod in 1978's “Superman” and its sequel “Superman II” two years later that most people associate with the British actor.

Danielle Spencer, young actor on ‘What’s Happening!!’ turned veterinarian, dies at 60

By Andrew Dalton, Associated Press

Spencer played Dee, the smarter, more serious younger sister who offered a steady stream of deadpan roasts of her big brother and his friends. The show, set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, was among the first on television…

James Lovell, commander of harrowing Apollo 13 moon mission, dies at 97

By Don Babwin, Associated Press

“Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount,” NASA said. "We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.”…

Eddie Palmieri, Latin jazz legend, dies at 88

By Sigal Ratner-Arias, Associated Press

The pianist, composer and bandleader was the first Latino to win a Grammy Award and would win seven more over a career that spanned nearly 40 albums.

Stella Rimington, first British woman to become spy chief and M inspiration, dies at 90

By Jill Lawless, Associated Press

Rimington was the first female chief of Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency, a successful thriller writer and the inspiration for Judi Dench’s portrayal of MI6 chief M in seven James Bond films.

Tom Lehrer, mathematician and singer-songwriter known for colorful satire, dies at 97

By Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press

Tom Lehrer, the popular and erudite song satirist who lampooned marriage, politics, racism and the Cold War, then largely abandoned his music career to return to teaching math at Harvard and other universities, has died.

An icon to his ‘Hulkamaniacs,’ professional wrestler Hulk Hogan dies at age 71

By Curt Anderson, Ed White, Associated Press

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and…

Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 just weeks after farewell show

By Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

The gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne has died.