The well-known Mainers who died this year include authors and artists, entrepreneurs and educators, photographers and philanthropists.
obituary
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Nation / World
Cissy Houston, Grammy-winning gospel singer and Whitney Houston’s mother, dies at 91
She performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.
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Posted inBusiness, Nation / World
Leonard Riggio, who forged a bookselling empire at Barnes & Noble, dies at 83
In his time, no one in the book world was more feared. With the power to make anything a bestseller, or a flop, to alter the market on an idle whim, Riggio could terrify publishers. Then came Amazon.
Posted inNation / World
Bill Pascrell Jr., long-serving House member from N.J., dies at 87
He was the U.S. House of Representative’s second-oldest member, after Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, D-Calif., who is set to retire at the end of the current term.
Posted inMaine
Former UMaine astronomer remembered for unpacking the mysterious universe
George Ayers taught Mainers about the wonders of the celestial world for decades at UMaine and in his monthly column ‘What’s Up.’ He died at home in Gorham on May 10 at age 96.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Falmouth woman remembered by friends for service, generosity
Nancy Goddard, 78, was a lifelong Mainer and longtime public servant to her home state, known for her work in social services and volunteering.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Laurent de Brunhoff, ‘Babar’ heir and author, dies at age 98
Laurent de Brunhoff revived his father’s popular picture book series about an elephant-king.
Posted inNation / World
Frans de Waal, who explored empathy among apes, dies at 75
Witnessing 2 chimpanzees fight and then reconcile began de Waal’s exploration into the inner lives and emotions of primates.
Posted inNation / World
Martin Greenfield, tailor to presidents and stars, dies at 95
Greenfield dressed generations of entertainment stars, among them Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Newman, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Posted inNation / World
Laurent de Brunhoff, ‘Babar’ heir and author, dies at age 98
Laurent de Brunhoff revived his father’s popular – and in some cases controversial – picture book series about an elephant-king.