Ignacy Skowron was a Polish soldier guarding a military depot near Gdansk along with 200 other troops when it came under attack from the German warship Schlezwig-Holstein on September 1, 1939. This was the opening battle of World War II. They fought 1,500 German troops ,but were eventually captured and became prisoners. Fortunately for Skowron, he was released in 1940 because of illness and he returned home.
Skowrow, 97, was the last surviving Polish soldier from the battle. He died on August 5, 2012 near his home in Kielce in the southern section of Poland.
After the war, he spent his career working for the Polish rail system until he retired in 1975. He participated often in the annual observance on September 1st to commemorate the battle. His last time was in 2009 before he suffered a variety of illnesses that lead to his death.
He spent time throughout his life retelling his story of the battle to younger generations.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Lesley Brown - "Test-tube Mother"
Lesley Brown attracted world-wide attention on July 25, 1978 when she gave birth to the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization. Her daughter was known as the "test-tube baby". The procedure would be popularized to the extent that over 4 million babies have been born using that method.
She died on June 6, 2012 at the age of 64 in Bristol, England of complications from a gall bladder infection.
Her daughter's birth was quite controversial because it was in uncharted waters. Her neighborhood was surrounded by a huge media presence upon the birth. Four years later, she would conceive again using the same method.
She died on June 6, 2012 at the age of 64 in Bristol, England of complications from a gall bladder infection.
Her daughter's birth was quite controversial because it was in uncharted waters. Her neighborhood was surrounded by a huge media presence upon the birth. Four years later, she would conceive again using the same method.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Robert Kelleher - Oldest Federal Judge
Many members of the legal profession have served in the federal judiciary with great distinction. Robert Kelleher holds the record as the oldest to serve. He continued to hear cases until he died on June 20, 2012 at the age of 99.
He was appointed by President Nixon in 1970 and continued to serve in the Central District of California. He maintained an active docket of cases.
He was also an outstanding tennis player and was a member of the 1963 US Davis Cup team. He and his late wife won the mixed-doubles championship in 1947. He was inducted into the tennis Hall of Fame in 2000.
He was appointed by President Nixon in 1970 and continued to serve in the Central District of California. He maintained an active docket of cases.
He was also an outstanding tennis player and was a member of the 1963 US Davis Cup team. He and his late wife won the mixed-doubles championship in 1947. He was inducted into the tennis Hall of Fame in 2000.
Monday, May 28, 2012
George Blackburn - Led Zeppelin II
George Blackburn,64, died of a heart attack on May 18, 2012. Last fall, he changed his name to Led Zeppelin II in a tribute to his favorite rock band. He did it following his divorce, although his daughter said he had spoken about it for years.
He appeared to live a very ordinary life. He was born in Milwaukee in 1947, but was raised in Chicago. He spent 32 years with TWA before he retired in 1997.
His passing went viral on the Internet. His name change to Led Zeppelin II became an interesting story and was picked up by the media.
He appeared to live a very ordinary life. He was born in Milwaukee in 1947, but was raised in Chicago. He spent 32 years with TWA before he retired in 1997.
His passing went viral on the Internet. His name change to Led Zeppelin II became an interesting story and was picked up by the media.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Charles Pitts - Guitarist in "Shaft"
Charles Pitts was a longtime Memphis guitar player who recorded with some of the biggest soul and blues artists including Al Green, Wilson Pickett, Same & Dave and Albert King.
His biggest musical moment came when he played the distinctive wah-wah pedal guitar on the soundtrack for the movie "Shaft". The theme song, recorded by Isaac Hayes was a huge hit and has maintained its place in pop culture over the last four decades.
Pitts,65, died on May 2, 2012 in Memphis after a long battle with cancer. He first recorded when he was 15 after being taught by neighbor Bo Diddley while growing up in Washington D.C. He would later play in Hayes' band over the next four decades after their huge 1971 hit.
His biggest musical moment came when he played the distinctive wah-wah pedal guitar on the soundtrack for the movie "Shaft". The theme song, recorded by Isaac Hayes was a huge hit and has maintained its place in pop culture over the last four decades.
Pitts,65, died on May 2, 2012 in Memphis after a long battle with cancer. He first recorded when he was 15 after being taught by neighbor Bo Diddley while growing up in Washington D.C. He would later play in Hayes' band over the next four decades after their huge 1971 hit.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Jack Balestreri - Bridge Worker
Jack Balestreri was considered to be the last surviving worker from the building of the Golden Gate Bridge in California. He began his job in 1933 when he was 17 on the south tower of the bridge in San Francisco Bay and continued for three years until the project completion.
Mr Balestreri,95, died of natural causes at his home in San Francisco on April 21, 2012.
After the completion of the project, he played professional baseball and worked in a shipyard during World War II. He later spent 40 years working as a draftsman for a company in San Francisco.
Mr Balestreri,95, died of natural causes at his home in San Francisco on April 21, 2012.
After the completion of the project, he played professional baseball and worked in a shipyard during World War II. He later spent 40 years working as a draftsman for a company in San Francisco.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
William Pace - Gunshot Survivor
William Pace led a very nondescript life until it was learned in 2006 that he was longest surviving person with a bullet lodged in his head. This dubious distinction was confirmed by the Guiness Book of World Records.
Mr Pace, 103, died in his sleep on April 23, 2012 at a nursing home in Turlock, California. He survived for 94 years and six months with .22 caliber bullet that entered his head, behind his ear.
The accidental shooting by his older brother in 1917 left him with damage to his eye and facial nerves. Doctors thought it was too dangerous to perform surgery out of fear of causing permanent brain damage.
In spite of his injury, Pace spent his career as a cemetery custodian.
Mr Pace, 103, died in his sleep on April 23, 2012 at a nursing home in Turlock, California. He survived for 94 years and six months with .22 caliber bullet that entered his head, behind his ear.
The accidental shooting by his older brother in 1917 left him with damage to his eye and facial nerves. Doctors thought it was too dangerous to perform surgery out of fear of causing permanent brain damage.
In spite of his injury, Pace spent his career as a cemetery custodian.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Dick Clark - Music Icon
Dick Clark lived a life filled with accomplishments. He will be remembered for many things, including his 30 year run with American Bandstand. He was an absolute giant in the music industry. His influence can never be measured.
He died on April 18, 2012 from a heart attack at 82 after a medical procedure. His stroke in 2004 had a huge impact on his life. He was able to make it back to hosting his New Year's Eve gala in Times Square after missing the show in 2005.
He will forever be associated with New Year's Eve. It was his idea to have the ball drop at the stroke of midnight. He started hosting the celebration in 1972 and never looked back.
New Year's Eve will never be the same without him
He died on April 18, 2012 from a heart attack at 82 after a medical procedure. His stroke in 2004 had a huge impact on his life. He was able to make it back to hosting his New Year's Eve gala in Times Square after missing the show in 2005.
He will forever be associated with New Year's Eve. It was his idea to have the ball drop at the stroke of midnight. He started hosting the celebration in 1972 and never looked back.
New Year's Eve will never be the same without him
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Robert Ayres - Created "Bonanza" Map`
Robert Ayres designed the map of the Ponderosa Ranch that appeared in the opening credits for "Bonanza which had a 13 year run on NBC starting in 1959. The map was shown for seconds and then burst into flames revealing the "Cartwrights" played by Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon. The show followed the lives of Ben Cartwright and his sons on their Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada in the late 1800's.
Illustrators made copies of it to before filming the burning scene. The original map was in the home of the show's creator and producer for 50 years. After David Dotort died in 2010, his family donated the map to the Autry Center of the American West.
Ironically, Mr Ayres visited the Center three days before his death on February 25, 2012. He was 98 and lived in Cherry valley, CA.
He spent his career as an illustrator, landing a gig at MGM where he did illustrations for "Ben Hur" and other movies. He also did drawings for set builders, using their blue prints.
When he saw the map before his death, he remarked that he had not seen it in over 50 years.
Illustrators made copies of it to before filming the burning scene. The original map was in the home of the show's creator and producer for 50 years. After David Dotort died in 2010, his family donated the map to the Autry Center of the American West.
Ironically, Mr Ayres visited the Center three days before his death on February 25, 2012. He was 98 and lived in Cherry valley, CA.
He spent his career as an illustrator, landing a gig at MGM where he did illustrations for "Ben Hur" and other movies. He also did drawings for set builders, using their blue prints.
When he saw the map before his death, he remarked that he had not seen it in over 50 years.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Maxwell Keith - Attorney In Manson Case
Maxwell Keith spent his career as a defense attorney in California, but the biggest case of his career was in 1970 when he became the court-appointed defender for two members of the Charles Manson Family.
The murders of actress Sharon Tate and several others by the Manson Family became one of the biggest stories in 1969. He was selected to represent Leslie Van Houton and Charles "Tex" Watson.
Mr Keith attempted to use a defense based on the theory that his clients were brainwashed into following the orders of Manson. All of the defendant were convicted and received life sentences.
Mr Keith, 87, died on March 6, 2011 at his home in Templeton, CA of complications from pneumonia.
After serving in World War II, he received a degree from Princeton University and attended law school at Loyola College. He passed the bar in 1953, beginning his career in the Los Angeles area.
The murders of actress Sharon Tate and several others by the Manson Family became one of the biggest stories in 1969. He was selected to represent Leslie Van Houton and Charles "Tex" Watson.
Mr Keith attempted to use a defense based on the theory that his clients were brainwashed into following the orders of Manson. All of the defendant were convicted and received life sentences.
Mr Keith, 87, died on March 6, 2011 at his home in Templeton, CA of complications from pneumonia.
After serving in World War II, he received a degree from Princeton University and attended law school at Loyola College. He passed the bar in 1953, beginning his career in the Los Angeles area.
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