RIP Alan Thicke, Veteran Canadian Singer, Songwriter and Actor

Alan Thicke, a Canadian singer, songwriter and actor best remembered for his portrayal of a father who was the ultimate suburban middlebrow dispenser of advice to his children on the television sitcom “Growing Pains,” died on Tuesday. He was 69.

His death was confirmed by the talent agent Nigel Mikoski, who represented Mr. Thicke. He died of a heart attack, Carleen Donovan, a publicist for one of his sons, the singer and songwriter Robin Thicke, said in an email.

Mr. Thicke had a genial warmth that he projected across all of his television work, most memorably on “Growing Pains,” which ran from 1985 to 1992. He played a psychiatrist, Dr. Jason Seaver, a classic 1980s formulation of the reassuring father, and solved everyone’s problems with a warm homily by the end of each 30-minute episode.

Legendary Gospel Musician Andraé Crouch Passes Away At 72

Acclaimed Gospel musician Andraé Crouch, died on Thursday afternoon at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in the Los Angeles, after he had been hospitalized since Saturday due to a heart attack, USA Today reports.

The seven-time Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominee, was often referred to as the “father of modern gospel music,” as he often bridged the worlds of church and mainstream music.

Some of his popular works include leading the choirs that sang on Michael Jackson‘s Man in the Mirror, and Madonna‘s Like a Prayer. He has also worked with Elton John, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, and many other reputable music icons.

As a songwriter, he penned some gospel favorites including, Soon and Very Soon, My Tribute (To God Be the Glory), and others.

He died at age 72.

Edward Brooke First Elected America Black Senator Dies At 95

Edward Brooke, the first black senator to be popularly elected in the US, has died aged 95, Republican Party officials say.

Mr Brooke was elected to Congress in 1966 by voters in Massachusetts at a time of widespread racial unrest.

A former lawyer, he had also been the first African-American to hold the post of attorney general in any state when he was elected senator.

Two black senators before him were both picked by state legislatures.

Sportscenter Hannah Storm Fight Back Tears As She Announces The Death Of Stuart Scott

Stuart Scott, Legend ESPN anchor dies at age of 49 after long battle with cancer

Legendary Sportscaster and longtime anchor on ESPN Stuart Orlando Scott died today January 4th after a seven year battle with cancer. ESPN announced his death this morning.

Scott, who worked as an anchor for ESPN and ABC Sports for 21 years, was one of the most recognizable figures on US sports television and in July 2014, he received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs - where he opened up about his battle with cancer.

Notable Canadian newsmakers who died in 2014

The Canadian Press
JANUARY

6 — Toronto-born actor Larry D. Mann, 91, who voiced Yukon Cornelius in the 1964 animated Christmas favourite “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

15 — Newfoundland and Labrador broadcaster Bas Jamieson, 85. His 40-year career included stints in television and radio across Canada.

16 — Canadian-born comic actor Dave Madden, 82, who played agent Reuben Kinkaid on the hit 1970s sitcom “The Partridge Family.”

17 — Former Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde, 73, of cancer. She served in the Commons between 1993 and 2011, also served as a cabinet minister in the Parti Quebecois government of Rene Levesque in the 1980s.

FEBRUARY

RIP Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker performs at Zenith de Paris on May 15, 2013 in Paris, France. David Wolff/Patrick—Redferns via Getty Images

Joe Cocker died yesterday at age 70, after losing a battle with lung cancer.

The blues and rock singer died in his Colorado home, his management staff confirmed.

Cocker, a British-born musician who rose to fame in the 1960s, was known for his cover of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends” and a duet with Jennifer Warnes for the movie An Officer and a Gentleman called “Up Where We Belong,” for which he received a Grammy in 1983.

His agent Barrie Marshall said the singer was “simply unique,” the BBC reports. “It will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts.”

In all, Cocker produced 40 albums throughout his career

Austrian Singer And Composer Udo Jürgens Dies Whilst Taking A Walk

DW- The Austrian singer-songwriter Udo Jürgens, whose songs enjoy immense popularity in the German-speaking world and beyond, has died aged 80. His career spanned more than fifty years.

Jürgens died of heart failure on Sunday while taking a walk in the Swiss municipality of Gottlieben, his management team said. He was 80 years old.

The death of the Austrian singer, pianist and composer comes as he was on a tour called "In the Midst of Life" ("Mitten im Leben"), named after his album of the same title.

Little Alberta cancer girl who met duchess Kate dies

The Duchess of Cambridge hugs six-year-old Diamond Marshall as the royal couple arrives in Calgary, Thursday, July 7, 2011 Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press

 The Canadian Press
A young Alberta cancer patient whose timid embrace of the Duchess of Cambridge captured hearts around the world has died.

The family of nine-year-old Diamond Marshall said she died peacefully on Monday night.

“We are incredibly saddened, yet relieved, that Diamond is no longer suffering,” her family said in a statement Tuesday.

“We are incredibly thankful for the time we had with Diamond and we will cherish the memories we made with her. In her fight against cancer, Diamond was a warrior, but she carried herself with the grace and dignity of a princess.”

RIP | Former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley dies from breast cancer

One of the first Miss American winners to make it big in Hollywood, Mary Ann Mobley, has died. Mary Ann, who won the Miss America pageant in 1959, died yesterday Tuesday Dec. 9th in Beverly Hills after a long battle with breast cancer, TMZ reports. She was 75 years old.

The former beauty queen appeared in several Hollywood movies and sitcoms including 'Diff'rent Strokes. Her family says she will buried next week in her native Mississippi.

Acclaimed Greek Author Murdered At 83

Acclaimed Greek writer, Menis Koumandareas has been found dead in his home. The 83-year-old writer lived alone in an apartment on Zakynthou Street in Kypseli, where he was found dead this morning.

Police say there were no signs of forced entry in the house, but there is evidence that the place had been selectively searched and suspect the victim knew the perpetrator, who had the intention of robbing the house

World’s Fattest Man Weighed 444 Kg Dies at Age 44

The fattest man in the world who once weighed 70 stone (444.521 Kg) is dead at age 44.

Prior to his death, Keith Martin had weight-loss surgery, Daily Mail reports. He had three quarters of his stomach removed, and subsequently lost half of his body weight.

However, he died of pneumonia eight months after the surgery. Before the surgery, Martin was consuming 20,000 calories a day – 10 times what is recommended for adults.

According to reports, “he had six-egg fry-ups for breakfast then pizzas, kebabs, Chinese takeaways and Big Macs for lunch and dinner, all washed down with six pints of coffee and two litres of fizzy drinks.” There was once a period when he didn’t leave his UK home for 10 years because he was unable to walk.

“We’re still grieving. We miss him very much,” said one of his two sisters, Tin

Tragic! Saskatchewan family loses three children in farm accident

 Sean, Blake and Lyndon Arnal pose with a rugby ball in this undated family handout photo. Courtesy Arnal family

Chris PurdyThe Canadian Press
When one of her children was killed six years ago, Anne Arnal never dreamed she would have to go through the same pain again.

And again.

Three of her six children – her freckle-faced, youngest boys – have died in separate accidents on the family’s farm.

Arnal says most people can’t fathom the grief she and her family are suffering. “I could never imagine how or why I would be asked to have to do this,” she says.

“You try to figure out whether you’re supposed to gain something or whether you’re supposed to change somehow or what you’re being tested for … and I don’t have the slightest idea.”

Touching Photos of Phil Hughes Parents During His Funeral

Gregory Hughes pictured very emotional as he carried his son's coffin into his funeral on December 3rd. Phil Hughes died on November 27th two days after he was struck in the back of the neck by a ball during a cricket game in Sydney, Australia. He died just three days to his 26th birthday.

The funeral was attended by over 1,000 people including many national and sporting dignitaries as well as the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott. It was also broadcast live on Australian TV.

RIP Doris Rowland

Kelly Rowland loses mum weeks after she welcomed son. Kelly Rowland's mother, Doris Rowland Garrison passed away yesterday December 2nd just weeks after the singer welcomed her first child, Titan. Ms Doris had reportedly been battling a long ailment. Kelly hasn't mentioned anything about her mother's passing on social media but friends and family members have been sending condolence messages to her on Twitter.

RIP Hockey Legend Jean Beliveau

 

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press
It is hard to imagine a classier hockey player, on and off the ice, than Jean Beliveau.

A supremely skilled centre for 18 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, the 83-year-old Beliveau was also a gracious spokesman for the team and the sport.

With his death confirmed late Tuesday by a spokesman for the Canadiens, the NHL club lost the man who embodied all the attributes of their dynasty teams of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s — talent, flair, intelligence and success.

He scored 507 goals, won 10 Stanley Cups and was captain for 10 seasons before his retirement in 1971, then moved seamlessly into an executive position with the club.

Mrs. Wolowitz From 'Big Bang Theory' Bids Bye From Battle With Cancer

This undated image provided by Warner Bros. Television shows a headshot of actress Carol Ann Susi.AP/Warner Brothers 

The Associated Press
The actress best known for voicing the unseen Mrs. Wolowitz on the TV comedy “The Big Bang Theory” has died

Carol Ann Susi’s agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, said the actress died in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer. She was 62.

The veteran character actress has made numerous guest appearances on TV shows since the 1970s.

RIP Casualty Star Actress Rebekah Gibbs Passes Away After Long Cancer Battle

Casualty star Rebekah Gibbs has died last night after a long cancer battle. The stage and TV actress, whose credits include Fame, Grease, Starlight Express and The Bill, is best known for her role as moody nurse Nina Farr on the BBC drama series.

Her agency confirmed the news last night, tweeting: "Darling Rebekah Gibbs, a true inspiration and dazzling light, never to be forgotten."

Rebekah, 41, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008, just 10 weeks after giving birth to her daughter Gigi. May her soul rest in peace.

New Findings | Dementia hallucinations triggered actor Robin Williams suicide

According to a new report, legendary actor Robin Williams' suicide was triggered by a horrible disease called Lewy Body Dementia.

 From TMZ

TMZ has obtained documents showing Williams was struggling with the disease, which is marked by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that disrupt normal function. 

Lewy Body Dementia is a common condition associated with Parkinson's ... and people afflicted by both often get severe side effects from Parkinson's meds. Hallucinations are common, where patients see phantom objects, people or animals. The patients often try to converse with the illusions.

Breakingnews! RIP Dr Myles Munroe And Family

Tragic news! World renowned pastor and motivational speaker Dr Myles Munroe died in a plane crash. It has been confirmed that the leader of Bahamas Faith Ministries International Dr Myles Munroe, his wife Ruth, daughter along with 6 other people died in a plane crash on Sunday 9th November 2014.

The Bahamas Tribune reports that;

The plane reportedly struck a crane at the Grand Bahama Ship Yard, exploding on impact and crashing into the ground near a junkyard area.

#The Department of Civil Aviation reported that the plane was a Lear 36 executive jet which departed the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) for the Grand Bahama International Airport.

#The plane left LPIA at 4.07pm with nine people on board and crashed while making an approach for landing at Grand Bahama International Airport at 5.10pm, the Department of Civil Aviation said.

Dr. Myles Munroe (20 April 1954 - 9 November 2014) was the president and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth and resource center that includes leadership training institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a television network, radio and Web communications, and a church community. He was chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association and president of the International Leadership Training Institute. He was the author of 69 books and was a motivational speaker