Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reported at Legacy.com, the first
week of May 2023. Legacy.com is where you can find any obituary,
or publish an obituary in any newspaper in America, and beyond.
Actress Eileen Saki died May 1, 2023, in Los Angeles. She died of pancreatic cancer at
the age of 79. She was the third and final actress to play
Rosie, owner of Rosie’s Bar on “M*A*S*H,” appearing from the show’s fifth season on.
Saki is also being remembered for roles in movies and TV shows such as “Splash,”
“Good Times,” and “The Greatest American Hero.”
Musician Tim Bachman died April 28, 2023, after fighting cancer at the age of 71.
He was a founding member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, playing guitar and singing alongside
his brothers on the band’s first two albums. Bachman is being remembered for writing and
singing lead vocals on songs including “Blown” and “I Don’t Have to Hide.”
Baseball player Dick Groat died April 27, 2023, at a hospital in Pittsburgh. He died
of complications from a stroke at the age of 92.
He won two World Series in the 1960s as a shortstop with the Pittsburgh Pirates and
the St. Louis Cardinals. He is also being remembered as a basketball
player – he played both sports at Duke University, and he even played in the NBA for the Fort
Wayne Pistons in the same year he was a rookie with the Pirates.
Groat was a U.S. Army veteran who served for two years.
Track and field star Ralph Boston died April 30, 2023, at his home in Peachtree City, Georgia.
He died of complications from a stroke at the age of 83.
He won a gold medal in long jump at the 1960 Rome Olympics, and he went on to win silver
and bronze in the next two Summer Olympic Games.
Boston is being remembered for breaking the long jump record set by Jesse Owens, which
stood for 25 years before his feat. Entrepreneur Stew Leonard Sr. died April 26,
2023, at a hospital in New York City. He died of complications from pneumonia at the age
of 93. He founded the Stew Leonard’s chain of grocery
stores on the east coast. Leonard is being remembered for his entertaining
stores, which featured petting zoos and animatronic characters.
Basketball player Larry “Gator” Rivers died April 29, 2023, at a hospital in Savannah,
Georgia. He died of cancer at the age of 73. He played for the Harlem Globetrotters in
the 1970s and ’80s, becoming known for his dribbling skills.
Rivers is also being remembered for his years of service to his home of Savannah, including
founding the youth mentoring non-profit Gatorball Academy, and serving on the county commission.
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner died April 28, 2023, in Canton, Massachusetts at the age of 88.
His cause of death has not been officially announced as of this recording.
He wrote many books, including the best-seller “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,”
which grappled with theological questions people may have after loss and tragedy.
He is also being remembered as a sought-after public speaker and a notable religious leader.
Kushner was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Army’s Chaplain Corps.
Track and field star Tori Bowie died May 3, 2023, in Clermont, Florida at the age of 32.
Her cause of death has not been officially announced as of this recording.
She won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 4x100 meter relay, and she also won
medals in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Bowie is being remembered for her competitive
spirit and bold personality. Musician Claude Gray died April 28, 2023,
after fighting a brain tumor at the age of 91.
He had country music hits in the 1960s like “Family Bible,” one of the first songs
written by Willie Nelson to be successful. He is also being remembered for songs such
as “I’ll Just Have a Cup of Coffee (Then I’ll Go)” and “My Ears Should Burn (When
Fools Are Talked About).” Gray was a U.S. Navy veteran who served for
four years in the 1950s. Baseball announcer Mike Shannon died April
29, 2023, in St. Louis at the age of 83. His cause of death has not been officially announced
as of this recording. He was the longtime voice of the St. Louis
Cardinals, as he called games for them for almost 50 years.
Shannon is also being remembered for his playing career – he was a third baseman for the
Cardinals in the 1960s. Musician Linda Lewis died May 3, 2023, at
her home at the age of 72. Her cause of death has not been officially announced as of this
recording. She was known for her five-octave range and
for singles like “It’s in His Kiss” and “Rock-a-Doodle-Doo.”
Lewis is also being remembered for singing backing vocals for artists including David
Bowie and Cat Stevens. Musician Gordon Lightfoot died May 1, 2023,
at a hospital in Toronto. He died of natural causes at the age of 84.
The singer-songwriter is known for 1970s hits including “Sundown,” “If You Could Read
My Mind,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Lightfoot is being remembered as one of Canada’s national treasures, a 16-time Juno Award winner
whose music was admired by artists such as Robbie Robertson of the Band and Bob Dylan.
At least seven people died on May 1, 2023, in a series of car accidents caused by a dust
storm in central Illinois. As of this recording, their names have not all been released to
the public. In addition to featuring current deaths in
the news, Legacy.com also honors the lives and legacies of notable people who died in
the past. Here are some of this week’s anniversaries. Eleven years ago this week, musician Adam
Yauch died at the age of 47. He was better known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, known for
hit songs like “Fight for Your Right to Party” and “Sabotage.”
Thirteen years ago this week, actress Lynn Redgrave died at the age of 67. She was Oscar
nominated for her performance in “Georgy Girl.”
Forty years ago this week, musician Muddy Waters died at the age of 70. He was a blues
legend who has been called the “father of Chicago blues.”
Racecar driver Dale Earnhardt was born 72 years ago this week. He died in 2001 at the
age of 49. He was a NASCAR star known as “The Intimidator” for his aggressive style of
driving. Singer Lesley Gore was born 77 years ago this
week. She died in 2015 at the age of 68. She was known for 1960s hits like “It’s My
Party” and “You Don’t Own Me.” Singer Tammi Terrell was born 78 years ago
this week. She died in 1970 at the age of 24. Her unforgettable duets with Marvin Gaye
included “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”
Singer James Brown was born 90 years ago this week. He died in 2006 at the age of 73. He
was a legend of R&B and funk whose enduring hits include “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”
and “I Got You (I Feel Good).” Actress Audrey Hepburn was born 94 years ago
this week. She died in 1993 at the age of 63. One of the most beloved actresses of the
20th century, she starred in such movies as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “My Fair
Lady.” Actor Al Lewis was born 100 years ago this
week. He died in 2006 at the age of 82. He was best known for his starring role on the
classic sitcom “The Munsters” as Grandpa Munster.
Author Joseph Heller was born 100 years ago this week. He died in 1999 at the age of 76.
His novel “Catch-22” was a best-selling American classic.
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 across the United States have been lowered
to honor and remember the 79 firefighters who died in 2022.
Flags in Maryland have been lowered to honor the memory of former Speaker of the House
of Delegates Casper R. Taylor Jr. Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor
the memory of Ligonier Mayor Patricia “Patty” Fisel and former State Senator Robert L. Meeks.
Flags in Florida have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Senator and Sarasota
County Commissioner Nancy Detert. Flags in Alaska have been lowered to honor
the memory of the service members who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash
in Healy, Alaska on April 27. Flags in Arizona have been lowered in honor
of Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flags in New Jersey have been lowered to honor
the memory of State Trooper Werner Foerster. Flags in South Dakota have been lowered to
honor the memory of former State Representative Marie C. Ingalls.
Flags in New York have been lowered to honor the memory of retired Senior Investigator
Nicholas A. Georgeadis, who died from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around
the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
You can read more about the lives of the people featured in this video on Legacy.com.
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and in local newspapers everywhere. Just visit Legacy.com and select your local community.
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