The well-known Mainers who died this year include authors and artists, entrepreneurs and educators, photographers and philanthropists.
obituary
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.
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.
Former five-time Lebanese prime minister Salim Hoss dies at 94
Lebanon’s current premier described Hoss as ‘the conscience of Lebanon.’
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.
Ivan Boesky, stock trader convicted in insider trading scandal, dead at 87
Once implicated in insider trading, Boesky cooperated with a brash young U.S. attorney named Rudolph Giuliani in a bid for leniency.
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.
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.
Byron Janis, renowned American classical pianist who overcame debilitating arthritis, dies at 95
NEW YORK — Byron Janis, a renowned American concert pianist and composer who broke barriers as a Cold War era culture ambassador and later overcame severe arthritis that nearly robbed him of his playing abilities, has died. He was 95. Janis passed away Thursday evening at a hospital in New York City, according to his […]
Cockney Rebel singer Steve Harley, who had a hit with ‘Make Me Smile,’ dies at 73
LONDON — Steve Harley, a British musician whose glam-rock band Cockney Rebel had an enduring hit with the song “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” has died. He was 73. Harley’s family said Sunday that he had “passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.” Harley said late last year […]