Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, plus people's reactions to those deaths,
as seen at Legacy.com in the first week of April 2022.
Singer and actor Bobby Rydell died April 5, 2022, at a hospital in Abingdon, Pennsylvania.
He died of complications of pneumonia at the age of 79.
He was one of the first teen idols of the 1960s, known for hit songs including “Wild
One” and “Volare.” Rydell is also being remembered for his starring
role in the 1963 movie “Bye Bye Birdie.” Actress Estelle Harris died April 2, 2022,
at her home in Palm Desert, California at the age of 93.
She was well known for her role on “Seinfeld,” playing George Costanza’s screechy, overbearing
mother. Harris is also being remembered for voice
roles including Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” series and Mama Lipsky on “Kim
Possible.” Baseball player Shirley Burkovich died March
31, 2022, at her home in Rancho Mirage, California at the age of 89.
She played for the Rockford Peaches and other teams in the All-American Girls Professional
Baseball League in the 1940s and ‘50s. Burkovich is being remembered as an advocate
for women and girls in sports – and for her role in the 1992 movie “A League of
Their Own.” Makeup artist AJ Crimson died March 30, 2022.
He worked with celebrity clients including Missy Elliott and Regina King.
Crimson is being remembered for his makeup line, AJ Crimson Beauty, which focuses on
inclusivity for skin tones from light to dark. Singer C.W. McCall died April 1, 2022, in
Colorado. He died of cancer at the age of 93.
He was best known for “Convoy,” a number one hit song in 1976 at the peak of the CB
radio craze. Born Billie Fries, he is also being remembered
for his work in advertising, which led to the creation of his C.W. McCall alter-ego.
He was also the mayor of Ouray, Colorado, for six years.
General Charles G. Boyd died March 23, 2022, in Haymarket, Virginia. He died of complications
of lung cancer at the age of 83. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam
War. After his plane was shot down, he was a prisoner of war for seven years.
Following his release, he continued his Air Force career and later became the only former
Vietnam POW to be named a four-star general. Boyd is also being remembered as a homeland
security expert who warned of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil in the months before the
9/11 attacks. Actress Barrie Youngfellow died March 28,
2022, at the age of 75. She was best known for her role on the ‘80s
TV sitcom “It’s a Living,” playing sarcastic waitress Jan.
Youngfellow is also being remembered for appearances on TV shows including “Three’s Company,”
“WKRP in Cincinnati,” and “Law & Order.” Baseball player Tommy Davis died April 3,
2022, in Phoenix at the age of 83. He was an outfielder and third baseman for
the Los Angeles Dodgers, a three-time All-Star who helped his team to victory in the 1963
World Series. Davis is also being remembered for his years
with teams including the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros.
Musician Joe Messina died April 4, 2022, at his son’s home in Northville, Michigan.
He died of natural causes at the age of 93. He was a guitarist with the Funk Brothers,
the session musicians who backed up the stars of Motown Records.
Messina is being remembered for playing on enduring hits by the Temptations, Stevie Wonder,
the Four Tops, and many more. Author Patricia MacLachlan died March 31,
2022, at her home in Williamsburg, Massachusetts at the age of 84.
She was a prolific author of children’s books, including the award-winning classic,
“Sarah, Plain and Tall.” MacLachlan is being remembered for more than
60 books for young readers, including “Skylark” and “Baby.”
Actor Nehemiah Persoff died April 5, 2022, in San Luis Obispo, California. He died of
heart failure at the age of 102. He was known for his roles in many movies,
including “Yentl” and “Some Like it Hot.”
He is also being remembered for iconic TV roles including on “The Twilight Zone”
and “The Untouchables. Persoff was a U.S. Army veteran of World War
II. Actress Rae Allen died April 6, 2022, of natural
causes at the age of 95. Her long acting career began with a memorable
role in “Damn Yankees” on Broadway and on the silver screen.
Allen is also being remembered for roles on TV shows including “The Sopranos,” “Seinfeld,”
and “Soap.” On April 3, 2022, six people were killed in
a shooting in downtown Sacramento, California. Their names are:
Johntaya Alexander Melinda Davis
Sergio Harris Joshua Hoye-Luchessi
Yamile Martinez-Andrade De’Vazia Turner
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 Washington have been lowered to honor
the memory of Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha, who died in the line of duty.
Flags in Indiana have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew
Tomkiewicz. Flags in Kentucky have been lowered to honor
the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Jacob M. Moore.
Flags in Kentucky have also been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Navy Fireman 2nd
Class Hal J. Allison. He was killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and his remains
were recently identified and returned home for burial.
Flags in Massachusetts have been lowered to honor the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Captain
Ross A. Reynolds. Flags in Massachusetts have also been lowered
to honor the memory of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Charles McMackin. He was killed
in Romania during World War II and his remains were recently identified and returned home
for burial. Flags in Ohio have been lowered to honor the
memory of U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant James W. Speedy.
Flags in Virginia have been lowered to honor the memory of Henrico Police Officer Trey
Marshall Sutton, who was killed in the line of duty.
This week also marks several notable anniversaries. Five years ago this week, comedian and actor
Don Rickles died of kidney failure at the age of 90.
Twenty years ago this week, singer Layne Staley of Alice in Chains died of an accidental overdose
at the age of 34. Thirty years ago this week, author Isaac Asimov
died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 72.
Actor Anthony Perkins was born 90 years ago this week. He died in 1992, of AIDS-related
pneumonia at the age of 60. Actress Gale Storm was born 100 years ago
this week. She died in 2009, of natural causes at the age of 87.
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.