Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the third week of May 2022.
Actress and singer Maggie Peterson Mancuso died May 15th, 2022 in Colorado at the age
of 81. She was beloved for her role as Charlene Darling
of the musical Darling family on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Peterson is also being remembered for appearances in TV shows such as “Green Acres,” and
“The Odd Couple,” as well as the Andy Griffith TV reunion movie, “Return to Mayberry.”
Character actor Fred Ward died Sunday, May 8th, 2022, at the age of 79.
He played astronaut Gus Grissom in “The Right Stuff,” and handyman Earl Bassett
in the first two films of the “Tremors” series.
Ward is also being remembered for his passionate performance as author Henry Miller in “Henry
and June,” and as a 1980s action hero in the ill-fated “Remo Williams: The Adventure
Begins.” John L. Canley died May 11th, 2022, in Bend,
Oregon after fighting cancer, at the age of 84.
He was the first living Black U.S. Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for his valor
in the Vietnam War. His unit commander was wounded during the
Battle of Hue in 1968, and Gunnery Sergeant Canley took command of the company, risking
enemy fire to carry wounded Marines to safety several times.
In 2018 his Navy Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.
Canley is being remembered for his 28-year career in the Marines, and for running a textile
import business after retiring from the military. Singer Rosmarie von Trapp died May 13th, 2022,
in Morrisville, Vermont at the age of 93. She was the daughter of Georg and Maria von
Trapp of the Trapp Family Singers. Her mother’s memoir inspired the hit stage and movie musical,
“The Sound of Music.” von Trapp had a cameo in the film, and she
is also being remembered for her missionary work in New Guinea and as a beloved resident
of Stowe, Vermont. Rapper Lil Keed died May 13th, 2022, in Los
Angeles at the age of 24. He was a protégé of Atlanta-based rapper
Young Thug and was signed to his label. Lil Keed is being remembered for his high-pitched
rapping in songs like “Nameless,” and his 2020 album “Trapped on Cleveland 3.”
NFL football player Gino Cappalletti died Thursday, May 12th, 2022, at the age of 89.
He was a wide receiver and placekicker for the Boston Patriots in the 1960s.
Cappalletti is being remembered for his 1964 AFL MVP season and as the Patriots’ longtime
radio color commentator. Guitarist Ricky Gardiner died May 13th, 2022,
at his home. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s PSP, according to his family. He was 73.
He was best known for his guitar work on the acclaimed albums “Low” by David Bowie
and “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop. Gardiner is also being remembered as the co-founder
of the progressive rock band Beggars Opera, and for co-writing Iggy Pop’s classic song,
“The Passenger.” Activist, lawyer and author Urvashi Vaid died
May 14th, 2022, at her home in New York City. She died of cancer at the age of 63.
She was a longtime LGBTQ+ activist and served in various positions at the National LGBTQ
Task Force. Vaid is also being remembered for founding
LPAC, the first lesbian super PAC. Actress Marnie Schulenburg died May 18th,
2022, at a hospital in Bloomfield, New Jersey. She died of breast cancer at the age of 37.
She was best known for starring as the troubled Alison Stewart on the soap opera “As the
World Turns” from 2007 to 2010. Schulenburg is also being remembered for appearances
on “Blue Bloods,” “Elementary,” and “The Good Fight.”
Singer-songwriter Bob Neuwirth died May 18th, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. He died
of heart failure at the age of 82. He was a folk singer and songwriter who co-wrote
the classic Janis Joplin song, “Mercedes Benz.”
Neuwirth is also being remembered as a restless artist and an influential associate of Bob
Dylan. You may not know that ANY family can place
an obituary on Legacy in honor of a loved one’s memory. Just visit Legacy.com and
select your local community to get started. On May 14, 2022, ten people were killed in
a shooting at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Their names are:
Celestine Chaney, Roberta Drury, Andre Mackneil, Katherine Massey, Margus D. Morrison, Heyward
Patterson, Aaron W. Salter, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield, Pearl Young
Every week in the United States, flags are lowered to half-staff to honor the lives of
Americans whose communities are mourning their loss. Here are the most recent half-staff
memorial flag honors. Flags in New York and North Carolina have
been lowered in honor of the victims of the shooting at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo.
Flags in Georgia have been lowered to honor the memory of Rockdale County Sheriff’s
Deputy Walter D. Jenkins Jr., who was killed in the line of duty.
Flags in New Hampshire have been lowered in recognition of the New Hampshire Law Enforcement
Officers’ Memorial Ceremony. Flags in Maryland have been lowered to honor
the memory of former State Senator and former Montgomery County Executive Sidney Kramer.
Flags in Oregon have been lowered to honor the memory of Chief of Staff to Senator Mark
Hatfield, Gerry Frank. Flags in Pennsylvania have been lowered to
honor the memory of former Pennsylvania State Senator Jim Ferlo.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries. Five years ago this week, Soundgarden and
Audioslave singer and guitarist Chris Cornell died by suicide at the age of 52.
10 years ago this week, Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb died of kidney and liver failure at the
age of 62. 10 years ago this week, disco singer Donna
Summer died of lung cancer at the age of 63. 30 years ago this week, bandleader and TV
host Lawrence Welk died of pneumonia at the age of 89.
Rapper The Notorious B.I.G. was born 50 years ago this week. He died in 1997 in a shooting
at the age of 24. Singer, actor, and TV host Perry Como was
born 110 years ago this week. He died in 2001 of illness at the age of 88.
You can read more about the lives of the people featured in this video on Legacy.com.
You can also follow Legacy.com on Facebook and subscribe to our channel on YouTube to
stay up to date on national news deaths and reactions.