One day of blog silence

In memory of Belinda "Be" Bateman (1950-2010).

What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?!

RIP, Gary Coleman (1968-2010)

RIP, Mary Fitz

My first day back to work after the blur that was the holiday season, and it has to start off with some sad news from one of my New Jersey kin . . .

My Grandma G's cousin Mary Fitz (more properly Mary Elizabeth Irving FitzGerald) died in her sleep on New Year's Day. She was 86 years old.

Mary Fitz was born 11 September 1923, a daughter of Alex Irving, youngest son of my English emigrant ancestor "Honest Bob" Irving. (Yours truly is a great-grandson of Alex's sister Lil Irving Norton.)

My grandmother often told me stories about how she would babysit for Mary Fitz and her siblings after their mother's untimely death. Babysitting in those days apparently involved taking the kids to see the "picture shows."

Anyway, Mary Fitz grew up to attend Seton Hall University and worked as a public health nurse for many years in Jersey City.

I have several letters that she sent me over the years, each containing tidbits of family history.

She was a passionate promoter of literacy, and was named Literacy Tutor of the Year in 1997 by the Literacy Volunteers of America.

Mary Fitz didn't actually become Mary Fitz until late in life, when she married a Canadian fellow named John T. FitzGerald. He preceded her in death many years ago. They had no children. She was also preceded in death by her brother George Irving. Her sister Anna Mae Ness survives, as do numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Thursday at the McLaughlin Funeral Home on Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, on Thursday. Funeral Mass will be offered at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Friday at 10am, with interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

RIP, Roy Disney

Some sad news out of Newport Beach, California, today: Roy Disney has succombed to stomach cancer, almost 43 years to the day after his more famous uncle Walt.

Roy was the 3rd largest stock holder in the Walt Disney Company, and the last member of the founding family to take an active role in its operation as Director Emeritus. He was worth an estimated $1.2 billion.

Prior to his emeritus status, Roy successfully led the overthrow of two CEO's who he believed were leading the company in the wrong direction.

The first was his own cousin-in-law Ron Miller during a hostile takeover attempt back in 1984.

That ushered-in the era of Michael Eisner, a very successful period for the company that saw it return back to its roots in animation while adapting to industry innovations.

But, after twenty years, Roy left the company's board of directors to lead the charge to have Eisner replaced in 2004.

He nearly succeeded, getting a suprising 43% of stockholders to vote against retaining the company's CEO. But, the damage done to Eisner's authority still forced him to resign the following year, before his contract expired.

Roy then returned to the board as Director Emeritus, and reportedly enjoyed seeing the company once again return to its animation roots.

Condolences go out to the Disney family, both private and corporate.

Ok, this is getting way out of hand

Lately, it seems like every time I turn around I find some relative's name in the obituaries.

Today's sad news concerns Mrs. Gail Cox (12 Sept 1917 - 14 Sept 2009) of Mount Dora. Gail was the widow of Herman Cox, one of the sons of my great-uncle Jim Cox. A native of Clermont, she was a lifelong resident of Lake County. She lived in Astatula before moving to Mount Dora in 1942. There she was a member of the First Baptist Church, serving as its secretary for twenty years.

Condolences go out to her 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Hopefully, this will be the last such post I'll have to toss in the dryer for a long while . . .

A sad week indeed

It began with the news that Tom McQuoid lost his battle with cancer. Then there was the anniversary of 9/11.

Today, I am sad to report to ye socks that our extended family also incurred a triple loss this week.

The first two were not entirely unexpected, but the third was a shock:

1. Bernice Bradley Cox passed away at the age of 96, actually just a few days short of her 97th birthday. Her late husband Gerald was the son of my great-uncle Henry Cox (one of the 14 older siblings of my great-grandmother Sarah Cox Morgan).

2. Eva Hand Cox passed away at the age of 86 up in Tavares with her 4 daughters by her side. I always enjoyed visiting with her at our reunions in Montverde, and was inspired by her strength of spirit. She raised those girls on her own after her husband Carl's untimely death back in 1951, and will be buried by his side on Monday in the little cemetery adjoining our reunion hall. Carl was the son of my great-uncle Jim Cox (another one of those 14 older siblings I mentioned above).

And, finally

3. Stephen Robert Lee was taken at the relatively young age of 47 at a hospice in Altamonte. He was the son of one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known, Lois Newell Lee, who survives him. (Lois' mother Agnes Morgan Newell was the eldest of my great-grandfather's sisters.) Stephen is also survived by his wife Dawn; son Sam; sisters Patricia and Joanna; three nephews; and a niece.

My heartfelt condolences go out to all the members of my extended family who are feeling these losses most closely.

RIP Tom McQuoid

Condolences go out to my mom's cousin Sharon, and her boys Darren and Kyle. I heard this morning that her husband of 27 years (and their dad) lost his long battle with cancer on Friday.

I understand the funeral Mass will be on Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Clinton, Massachusetts.

Donations may be made in Tom's memory to either:

The American Cancer Society
Central New England Region
350 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01604

or

The UMass Memorial Cancer Center
c/o UMass Memorial Foundation
333 South Street
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

RIP Frank McCourt (1930-2009)

Yours truly would be remiss if an entire week was allowed to go by without mentioning the passing of one of my favorite contemporary authors: Frank McCourt

Ye socks are probably, at least peripherally, aware of his 1997 Pulitzer Prize winner: Angela's Ashes.

If not, check it out of your local library. Or, if ye must, rent the movie adaptation.

McCourt's masterpiece recounts his own Irish American childhood, which began in Brooklyn, New York. At the height of the Great Depression, with no work to be had, his parents decide to move back to Ireland. But, there they sank in to even deeper poverty.

The resilience of the McCourts is inspiring, Frank most particularly.

He picked up the family narrative in two more books: 'Tis (1999) and Teacher Man (2005). Then, a couple of Christmas seasons ago, he released a children's book: Angela and the Baby Jesus. Unfortunately, none of them achieved the broad popularity of his first work.

Perhaps, McCourt's works play on my Irish heart strings. But, I'd like to think his insights into human frailties, strengths, and faith transcend mere ethnic pride . . .

RIP Harold Simmons (1924-2009)

Can't believe three consecutive posts have marked someone's passing, but it's been one of those weeks . . . Today, I offer condolences to my brother-in-law who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. The obit from the Greenville [SC] News:

Harold E. Simmons, 84, of 305 Trotter Road, husband of the late Leecie Owens Simmons, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home.

Born in Pickens, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Ernestine Hendricks Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was retired from Sangamo Electric Co. and was a member of East Pickens Baptist Church. His career began with schooling from Packard Marine School while serving in the U.S. Navy. There, he mastered the trade skills necessary to advance him to Plant Engineer at Sangamo. After retiring, he raised cattle and used his skills in repairing small engines. He also was a member of the South Carolina Farmers Association.

Surviving are a daughter, Carolyn Ross and her husband, Roy, of Easley; a sister, Joy Simmons of Pickens; six grandchildren, Angela R. Dalton (Spencer), Cristal S. Day (Chip), and Autumn S. Clark (Johnny), all of Easley, Keith Simmons (Alice) of Mt. Pleasant, Shana R. Dalton (Jason) and Alex Simmons (Stacy) of Pickens; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, Gary Harold Simmons; a grandson, Jason Roy Ross; four sisters, Inez Littleton, Emroy Kelley, Ruby Byers and Betty Gillespie; and two brothers, William Frank Simmons and Carl Hendricks Simmons.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens. The Men's Sunday School Class of East Pickens will serve as honorary escorts.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.The family is at the home of the daughter, 130 Camelot Court, Easley, SC 29640.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com

Memorials may be made to Richard M. Campbell Veterans Home, 4605 Belton Highway, Anderson, SC 29621.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Simmons family.

RIP Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

For this child of the 80s, Michael Jackson was the Thriller, not the freak show that emerged over the last few decades.

His sudden death yesterday brought to mind a personal encounter with the King of Pop.

Ye socks will have to flash back to the summer of 1991, when yours truly was interning with the Walt Disney World College Program and working at the Kodak camera shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

This was in the pre-digital era, so park goers would drop off their rolls of film to be developed, and I would hand them a little claim ticket with their name written on it.

Anyway, the encounter occurred one rainy afternoon about 3 o'clock. The daily parade was making its way down Main Street, which meant our store was completely empty of guests. That's when a figure clad in a yellow hooded rain slicker approached my counter to claim his photos, and the name on his claim ticket said "Michael Jackson."

I made some sort of remark at that, "Oh, like the Thriller?"

"JUST like that," he replied as he pulled the hood away from his face.

Yep, that's right. It was Jacko!

I didn't know what to do or say as he perused his snapshots. For once in my life, I was completely speechless.

Anyway, one of his "handlers" paid me for the photos, and he turned to go back to the parade with a wave of his (ungloved) hand and the admonition, "Have a magical day!"

When I looked down at the counter, Michael had left one of the photos. It was a shot of him with McCauley Culkin and Mickey Mouse, almost a foreshadowing of all the crap that would come in the not so distant future.

When I flipped over the picture, I saw MJ had autographed it for me as a memento of our brief encounter.

I ran across that photo last year while I was packing up to move from Apopka to College Park. So, I know it's around my house somewhere. I'm gonna have to do some searching for it over the weekend . . .

RIP Farrah Fawcett (1942-2009)

Yours truly was a little too young to have thought much of "the poster" everyone is talking about today upon hearing of the death of Farrah Fawcett.

What I do remember about the stunningly beautiful girl from Texas who entered our pop culture conscious back in 1976 was that she was married to the $6 million bionic man. Charlie's Angels was something that would have interested my sister more than me at the time.

Sadly, that marriage to Lee Majors fell apart a couple of years later.

And, the blonde bombshell's career was something of a roller coaster after that.

Then, a couple of years ago, we heard she was suffering from cancer.

So, while still sad, the announcement today was not at all unexpected.

I suppose one of the lessons to be drawn is that beauty is fleeting. And, in the case of this angel, it was all too fleeting.

RIP Mrs. Waldrep

Some sad news out of West Texas today. I heard from a classmate that my high school accounting teacher passed away.

Mrs. Waldrep was one of my favorite teachers at Frenship High School. We always had fun in her class, and actually learned a lot, too. She will be missed.

Here's the complete obit from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal for ye socks who may remember her:

Sandra Young Waldrep
Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sandra passed away Friday, May 29, 2009 at Lubbock Heart Hospital.

Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers will host a gathering of friends and family to remember her life of 59 years, Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Lake Ridge Chapel, 6025 82nd Street.

Sandra was born May 17, 1950 to S. J. and Opal Young in Plainview. She graduated from Plainview High School and Texas Tech University. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Sandra taught business courses at Frenship High School for 27 years. She married Tom Waldrep on August 10, 1985 in Plainview. Sandra was an avid golfer and a member of Hillcrest Country Club.

Survivors include her husband; daughter, Leigh Montgomery and spouse Rik of Frisco; three grandchildren, Rily, Ryder, and Ryan Montgomery; father, S. J. Young of Lubbock; sister, Ann Nelson and spouse Mike of Lubbock.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Opal Young, March 15, 2006.

Memorial tributes may be sent to Lubbock Meals on Wheels 2304 34th St. Lubbock, TX 79411 or South Plains Food Bank 4612 Locust Ave., Lubbock, TX 79404.

We welcome you to visit www.memorialdesigners.net to offer her family words of encouragement and to view a life tribute of Sandra.

RIP Glenn Hennig

My thoughts today are with the Hennig family, who lost their patriarch Glenn back on 4/28 and will be memorializing him this morning.

If I hadn't already made plans to be out of town this weekend, I'd be there myself--not just because he was a Gators fan and a distant relative, but because the Hennigs are just good people and had to endure the all-too-familiar battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

The Sentinel published a fairly good obit, which I'll attach to this posting.

Of course, they fail to make the aforementioned genealogical connection to yours truly. So, I'll fill ye socks in here.

Mr. Hennig's mother was Effie Johns Hennig; daughter of John C. Johns; and granddaughter of Rebecca Patrick Johns. Rebecca was a youngers sister of my ancestor William Wright "Dink" Patrick, Orange County's sheriff during the Reconstruction Era.

RIP Jack Kemp (1935-2009)

I was sorry to hear yesterday of the passing of Jack Kemp, who apparently had been battling cancer recently.

Ye socks may remember him from his pro football days, or from his distinguished career in public service (US Congressman, HUD Secretary, etc.)

Personally, whenever his name is mentioned, I always think back to the presidential campaign of 1996, when Kemp came to rally the troops at the Lake Eola bandshell in downtown Orlando.

I don't remember exactly the words he used, but I sure do remember the enthusiasm he brought to what otherwise was a dismal campaign. Many of us in the crowd then, and today even more, wonder what might have been if Kemp had been the party nominee instead of Bob Dole that year.

He was certainly a man of big ideas, more than just a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution as the party's most recent failed presidential candidate is so proud of claiming.

No, Kemp wasn't just a good trooper, he was actually coming up with ideas to tackle the economic mess we inherited from Jimmy Carter's malaise. And, he implemented many more as he served in the first Bush administration's cabinet.

Gone too soon, Jack, gone too soon.

RIP John Ault (1937-2009)

I was very sorry to learn this morning of the passing of John Ault.

Mr. Ault was not only the national vice president of my college fraternity out in Texas, but also the dad of my buddy Brad.

Those were some crazy times in Lubbock, and John had to come up from Houston to set the old Delta Mu of Beta Theta Pi straight on at least one occasion.

But, he knew how to have a good time, too. I will always have fond memories of taking him to Bash Riprock's, one of our favorite haunts. Believe it or not, he fit right in with all of us college kids!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Aults during this difficult time. John surely leaves behind a legacy they may all be proud to call their own.

-kai-

One day of blog silence for Caylee

RIP Bill McIntyre

I am sorry to report the passing of my great-uncle Bill McIntyre.

Bill was a Marine veteran of the Second World War. He fought in the Pacific, and had the battle scars to prove it. I think I remember him telling me that he ran away from home when he was only 15 years old so he could fight in the war, had to lie about his age. If he ever regretted that decision, he never said anything to me about it.

I hadn't seen him since my dad's funeral a couple of years ago, but understand he'd been suffering a lot lately. So, while his death will be mourned, it also may be considered a blessing.

I'm kinda glad I didn't see Bill in that poor state of health. I'd rather remember him from those childhood summers back in the early 80s when he and my Aunt Carol would have us over to their apartment complex over on Conway Road to enjoy the pool.

Of course, there was also the SuperBowl party in Bill's cramped apartment, complete with door prizes. I think Mom still has the Holly Hobby plate she won hanging on the wall of her kitchen . . .

And, there was also the time we all piled into Bill's RV to go to dinner at Black Hammock under the watchful gaze of red-eyed gators. That's where he taught me how to eat catfish properly.

The end is not the sum of a man's life. Rather, the full measure may be taken by collecting all the anecdotes from the lives he touched. I'm sure a lot of story-swapping will be done on Bill's account over the next few days, because he touched a lot of folks.

Rest in peace, Bill. You've earned it.

Hail & Farewell

As 2008 draws to a close, I'd like to pause to remember a couple of socks who left the dryer this year:

William F. Buckley, Jr. - His years of skewering the follies of liberalism will continue to be an inspiration.

George Carlin - I thought his stuff on "stuff" was great, and will always remember listening to my buddy Brandon's somewhat-warped cassette on the 7 words during a roadtrip between Lubbock and Dallas.

Michael Crichton - The genius who brought us Jurassic Park, among other great works of fiction.

Bo Diddley - His signature beat served as the backdrop to many a colorful line at Lost Pines summer camp.

Bobby Fischer - He was the reason my dad bought that cheesy chess set in Ciudad Acuna.

Estelle Getty - Who could help but laugh at Sophia in The Golden Girls?!

Isaac Hayes - He made "Hello, children" a signature phrase on South Park.

Charlton Heston - Alzheimer's Disease has claimed another giant. Heston was so much more than an actor, though his roles as Moses, Ben Hur, and El Cid are legendary. For me, though, he should always be remembered as a defender of our Constitution--both as a civil rights marcher and a defender of the right to keep and bear arms.

Sir Edmund Hillary - The mountain climber's passing was noted in a previous posting.

Eartha Kitt - I had only discovered her version of "Santa Baby" this year!

Harvey Korman - Tim Conway always cracked him up on The Carol Burnett Show.

Heath Ledger - The Joker deserves a posthumous Oscar this year.

Bernie Mack - Gone too soon, America.

Jim McKay - His intro to "Wild World of Sports" was always mimicked in our house . . . the agony of da feet!

Robert Mondavi - Cheap table wine drinkers should all raise a glass to him.

Paul Newman - His performance in "Empire Falls" made the movie better than the book.

Bettie Page - She was the classic queen of pin-ups.

Randy Pausch - His "last lecture" should be mandatory viewing.

Sydney Pollack - You may not remember the name, but you'd recognize his face. His performance in "Tootsie" opposite Dustin Hoffman was awesome!

Tim Russert - My Sunday routine still hasn't recovered from his sudden passing.

Yves St. Laurent - I thought I was styling when my mom bought me one of his ties to wear at an uncle's wedding back in the 80s.

Tony Snow - Always seemed like a good guy, whether on the cable news or behind a podium at the White House.

And, of course, we should also remember the 500+ service men and women who gave their lives in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Paul Newman, RIP

To mark the passing yesterday of a movie icon, I thought I'd post a little genealogical tribute of sorts:

1. Paul Leonard Newman, *26 Jan 1925, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH; +26 Sept 2008, Westport, NY; =(1) Dec 1949, Jackie Witte (div); =(2) 29 Jan 1958, Joanne Woodward.

2. Arthur S. Newman, *Aug 1893, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH; + ante 14 May 1950, Shaker Heights; = ca 1915.

3. Theresa Fetsko, *25 July 1896, Hungary; +13 Aug 1982, Riverside Co., CA.

4. Simon Newman, *ca 1853, Hungary; +1895.

5. Hannah Cohn, *3 July 1857, Poland (then part of Germany); to US in 1870; 1900 res 989 Pearl Street, Cleveland, (renter), worked as a milliner; +10 March 1913, Cleveland.

6. Stephen Fetsko, *20 Aug 1854, Hungary; to US 1890; 1920 res Cleveland, worked as a ship builder; +24 Dec 1946, Cleveland.

7. Mary Polenak, * ca 1875, Hungary; to US 1890; 1920 res Cleveland, worked as a milk laborer.

10. Selig Cohn.

Ref:

• http://www.genealogy.com/famousfolks/paulnewman/index.html
• 1900 Census, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, page 209b.
• 1920 Census, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, page 97a.
• Internet Movie Database (imdb.com).

If any of ye socks can extend these lines further back, let me know!

Oh, and as a side note, favorite Newman movie: Nobody's Fool. Check it out.

A little less laughter in the world today

RIP Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.