Claudia Stellato died at 56. We worked together at the Public Defender’s Office in Rutland. Much too young to die.
Category: obits
Donald Tyson, Dead
As I age, I watch the death notices and read obits. I like the pictures, especially the ones that show a person not looking like they did when they died. I like to keep track of my enemies. Obits being what they are and my list of friends being what it is, I won’t have to mourn many of the featured. I also like to read what these people did whom I have heard of and learn about people who have escaped me while doing something that changed the world in some significant way. Today, it was Mr. Tyson.
Jim Winner Dead
Jim Winner died at 81. He developed the Club Antitheft device for cars, changing the lives of car thieves and car owners. No longer could someone with a screwdriver pop the ignition and drive a car away, basically without fear of being caught; no longer did drivers park their cars, fearing they would not be there upon return. Not sure whether theft insurance dropped in price, but anxiety certainly did.
A.C. Locasto Jeweler
Just a jeweler on Main St. in Margaretville, NY. 94 years old. Amazing that he can see. More amazing that he can feel.
Jack H. Press, Dead at 95
Jack H. Press, a member of Burlington’s Jewish community, died August 4, 2010 at the age of 95. War veteran, father, salesman, tennis player and who knows what else. I knew him for less than a year. Serious honor to know a person who lived so much, even if he couldn’t remember many of the details.
Morrie Yohai is Dead
Don’t eat much junk food anymore, because of the salt and the chemicals. When I did, I favored Cheetos, usually the crunchy ones. I could eat a bag all by myself. Usually took them one at a time until I reached the bottom of the bag. Holding the bag in my right hand, I would pick a likely candidate, one with size and shape, and put it in my mouth. To remove the fingers orangey glow that filled my prints, I’d wipe my thumb and first finger on my jeans leg, leaving a sunlike blotch. When I reached the bottom where the little pieces settled, I’d just pick up the bag and pour the remaining remnants into my mouth. To honor Morrie, the inventor or creator of one of life’s pleasure, play Battle of the Cheetos.
George L. Solomon Dead
My friend George Solomon died. The death notice said suddenly, but I would say he saw it coming. Rushing here to there. Driving like a maniac. Wolfing down meals. Not paying attention to his weight. He wanted to live his life his way, death be damned. Sadly he won’t see his daughter’s nuptials, but he did live to see her become engaged.
Stanton T. Hamlet Dead
Stan died at 78. My friend Brien Stevens said the good thing was he had a heart attack and went fast. I said bad thing is that he is not keeping old trains, old buildings, or old baseball players alive anymore.
Dennis Hopper Is Dead
Not sure what movie to watch in his honor. Has to be Easy Rider? Saw it in Philly over summer recess, after graduating college and before leaving for law school. Not easy remembering who or what happened during that period except that the world seemed to change and he helped liberate me. He seemed so grown up and free of restraints. He also seemed so crazy, so against everything, so high all the time, and so nuts. I should have paid more attention to his act. Maybe I would have been better off had I been a Rebel Without a Cause.
Five wives. Art collector. Art maker. Actor. Director. Writer. Almost as interesting as Ben Franklin. He should be buried in Blue Velvet.