Here are the most recent deaths in the national news,
plus people's reactions to those deaths, as seen at Legacy.com in the fourth week of January 2022.
Rock star and actor Meat Loaf died January 20, 2022, at the age of 74.
He was known for his grand, operatic performances, including such hits as
“Paradise By the Dashboard Light” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
Meat Loaf is also being remembered for his acting roles in movies such as “The Rocky Horror Picture
Show,” “Wayne’s World,” and “Fight Club.” Brazilian singer Elza Soares died January 20,
2022, at her home in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 91.
She was one of samba music’s greatest voices, winning a Latin Grammy Award in 2016.
Soares is being remembered as a national icon in Brazil.
She was named “Singer of the Millennium” by the BBC.
Comedian and actor Louie Anderson died January 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. He died
of large B-cell lymphoma at the age of 68. The popular stand-up comedian created the
cartoon “Life with Louie” and appeared in movies including “Coming to America.”
Anderson is also being remembered for his Emmy-winning performance on the TV show “Baskets.”
Actress Gloria McMillan died January 19, 2022, at the age of 88.
She starred as Harriet Conklin in the classic sitcom “Our Miss Brooks.”
McMillan is also being remembered as an acting
teacher, who founded the Looking Glass Studio of Performing Arts.
Golfer Bob Goalby died January 19, 2022, in Belleville, Illinois at the age of 92.
He won the 1968 Masters tournament after a score card error turned a tie into a victory.
He is also being remembered for helping shape the Champions Tour,
previously called the Senior PGA Tour. Goalby was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh died January 22, 2022, in Hue, Vietnam. He died from
complications of a stroke at the age of 95. The Vietnamese Buddhist monk was a pioneer
of mindfulness, helping bring the practice to the West through his books and teachings.
Nhat Hanh is being remembered for his friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr.,
who nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.
YouTuber Melanie Ham died January 12, 2022, of cancer at the age of 36.
She made tutorials that helped many people learn to crochet, make quilts, and do other crafts.
Ham is also being remembered for sharing her cancer struggle with her audience.
Fashion designer Thierry Mugler died January 23, 2022, of natural causes at the age of 73.
His otherworldly couture was influential on the fashion of the 1980s and beyond.
Mugler is being remembered for dressing celebrities including Beyonce,
Madonna, and Lady Gaga.
Musician Badal Roy died January 18, 2022, in Wilmington,
Delaware. He died of COVID-19 at the age of 82. He was a jazz musician who played the tabla,
a traditional drum from India. Roy is being remembered for bringing
world music to jazz as he played with greats including Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman.
Firefighter and author Dennis Smith died January 21, 2022, in Venice, Florida. He died
of complications of COVID-19 at the age of 81. While serving in an 18-year career as a New
York City firefighter, he wrote bestselling memoirs of his work.
He is being remembered for returning after 20 years of retirement to help in
the 9/11 rescue efforts, chronicled in his memoir, “Report from Ground Zero.”
Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Hockey player Clark Gillies died January 21, 2022, of cancer at the age of 67.
He was a left winger for the New York Islanders in the 1980s, when they won
four consecutive Stanley Cups. Gillies is being remembered as
a Hockey Hall of Famer whose number 9 jersey was retired by the Islanders.
Musician Don Wilson died January 22, 2022, in Tacoma, Washington at the age of 88.
He was a co-founder of the surf-rock group the Ventures,
who had 1960s hits including “Walk, Don’t Run.”
Wilson is being remembered as an important influence on the development of rock and roll.
Actor Peter Robbins died by suicide on January 25, 2022 at the age of 65.
He was the original voice of Charlie Brown, heard in classic specials including
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
Robbins is being remembered for candidly sharing his struggles
with bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.
Actress Kathryn Kates died January 22, 2022, of lung cancer at the age of 73.
She had memorable recurring roles on TV shows including “Seinfeld”
and “Orange Is the New Black.” Kates is also being remembered as a
stage actress, and for roles in movies including “Lola Versus” and “The Many Saints of Newark.”
Actor Morgan Stevens died January 26, 2022, at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 70.
He was best known for his TV performances on “Fame”
as drama teacher David Reardon and on “Melrose Place” as attorney Nick Diamond.
Stevens is also being remembered for TV shows including “The Waltons” and “A Year in the Life.”
Catholic nun Janet Mead died January 26, 2022, in Adelaide,
Australia. She died of cancer at the age of 83. A pioneer of including rock music in worship
services, she had a Top Five hit single in 1974 with her rock version of “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Mead is also being remembered for her lifetime of work helping the homeless.
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 Maryland have been lowered to honor the memory of Lieutenant Paul Butrim,
Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo of
the Baltimore City Fire Department, each of whom died in the line of duty.
Flags in Kentucky have been lowered to honor the memory of Kentucky National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Johnnie Lee Patrick II. Flags in Illinois have been lowered
to honor the memory of Will County Deputy Sheriff Michael John Queeney.
Flags in West Virginia have been lowered to honor the memory of former state Senator Joe Minard.
Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor the memory of Donald Max
Neiswinger, who served as a captain of the Owen Valley Fire Territory.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries.
Five years ago this week, actress Mary Tyler Moore died of pneumonia at the age of 80.
Thirty years ago this week, actor Jose Ferrer died of colorectal cancer at the age of 80.
Fifty years ago this week, singer Mahalia Jackson died of heart disease at the age of 60.
Singer and songwriter Warren Zevon was born 75 years ago this week.
He died in 2003, of mesothelioma at the age of 56.
You can read more about the lives of the people featured in this video on Legacy.com.
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