Pasquale Carpino was 69.  He was the Singing Chef in his double-breasted, bright blue smock who starred in Italian cooking shows. While working at the CNE and walking through the Food Building during a lunch break in 1990, I saw Pasquale signing autographs.  I had never heard of him before

Patrick Cranshaw was 86.  He was a veteran character actor who achieved cult-like status as fraternity brother "Blue" in "Old School". I'll always remember him as the hobo in "Pee-wee's Big Adventure".

Michael Vale was 83.  He was the actor best known for portraying sleepy-eyed Fred the Baker in Dunkin' Donuts commercials.

Vincent Schiavelli was 57.  He was the droopy-eyed character actor who appeared in scores of movies, including "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Ghost." Farewell, Mr. Vargas.

Phyllis Gretzky was 64.  She was the mother of The Great One who Wayne described as the glue that held her family together.

John Spencer was 58.  He played Leo McGarry on "The West Wing" and Tommy Mullaney on "L.A. Law".

Stanley Tookie Williams was 51.  He was the Crips gang co-founder whose case stirred a national debate about capital punishment versus the possibility of redemption.  He became an anti-gang activist while on California's Death Row, renouncing his gang affiliation, apologizing for the Crips' founding, and co-authoring books and beginning programs

Richard Pryor was 65.  He was the caustic yet perceptive actor-comedian who lived dangerously close to the edge both on stage and off.

Wendie Jo Sperber was 47.  She appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including all three "Back to the Future" films.

Stan Berenstain was 82.  He created the popular children's books about the Berenstain Bears. James and I share a love for these characters.  We've spent many a night reading books from the Berenstain Bears catalogue and the cartoon on Treehouse is a definite favourite.

Pat Morita was 73.  He was the actor whose portrayal of the wise and dry-witted Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid earned him an Oscar nomination.

George Best was 59.  He was the dazzling soccer icon of the 1960s and 70s who revelled in a hard-drinking playboy lifestyle.

Chris Whitley was 45.  He was a chameleon singer-songwriter who oscillated between roots rock 'n' roll, blues and alt-rock.

Ralph Edwards was 92.  He was a broadcasting pioneer who spotlighted stars and ordinary people as host of the popular 1950s show "This Is Your Life."

Eduardo Gory Guerrero was 38.  He was a World Wrestling Entertainment superstar.

Lloyd Bochner was 81.  He was the Toronto-born actor best-known as Cecil Colby in "Dynasty".

Sheree North was 72.  She appeared on many TV shows, most notable to readers of this site was her role as Kramer's mother Babs on "Seinfeld."

Elmer Dresslar, Jr. was 80.  He was the voice of the Jolly Green Giant.

Rosa Parks was 92.  When a white man demanded she give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, Rosa Parks said no.  This simple decision that sparked a revolution.

Shirley Horn was 71.  She was a jazz singer and pianist who drew audiences close with a powerfully confidential, vibratoless delivery.

Gordon Lee was 71.  He was the chubby child actor who played Spanky McFarland's little brother Porky in the "Little Rascals" comedies.

Jason Collier was 28.  He was a five-year NBA player who spent his first three seasons with Houston before joining Atlanta in 2003, averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in his career.

Nipsey Russell was 80.  He was the actor known as "the poet laureate of television."