2017 Obituaries Thread

[Superballer]

Disney legend Xavier Atencio, with a long career as both an animator and Imagineer, best known for designing the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and its catchy song, passed on from presumed natural causes; he was 98: 

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-xavier-atencio-obit-20170911-story.html

[Superballer]

Also, Harry Dean Stanton, well known as among the Nostromo's doomed crewmen and as Andie's father in Pretty in Pink, passed on from natural causes as well; he was 91: 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/harry-dean-stanton-%E2%80%98big-love%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98twin-peaks%E2%80%99-star-dies-at-91/ar-AArZi7h?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

[blozier2006]

Long time WWE manager and commentator, as well as WWE Hall of Famer, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, has passed away. He was 73 years old.

The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.

I loved our time together.

No one ever did it better than the Wease.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 2017

[Hag]

He was one of the great manager heels. RIP.

[Superballer]

Indeed, the Brain was brilliant at making you both hate him for his arrogance and bold-faced cheating and love him for his rampant screwiness---sometimes both at the same time.  And the impressive breadth of the Heenan Family--Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect, Andre, King Kong Bundy, John Studd, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Haku, Hercules, Harley Race, and many more, including his stint as Flair's unofficial "financial advisor--testifies itself to his impact on the sport. 

[dmaingame]

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's managerial and commentary skills always made me laugh hysterically.  His go to quotes on commentary such as announcing "Shawn Michaels has left the building!!" an hour or so into a PPV,  (referring to Shawn frequently working in the opening match of a PPV).  "Right now, (wrestler's name's) got an achy breaky back" whenever a face got backdropped or fell out of the ring.  Heenan's best performance hands down was during the 1992 Royal Rumble.  Going back and forth about whether Rowdy Roddy Piper's ring attire was a kilt or skirt in the matter of thirty seconds as Piper first helped then attacked Flair. Or the call of,  "Give him the title, that's good enough." after Flair surpassed Rick Martel's 53 minute record in the Royal Rumbles up to that point.  And of course the celebration when Ric Flair won and nearly went wire to wire.  Sympathies and prayers to the Heenan family.  We'll miss you.  RIP Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. 

[Briguy]

Long time WWE manager and commentator, as well as WWE Hall of Famer, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, has passed away. He was 73 years old.

The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.

I loved our time together.

No one ever did it better than the Wease.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 2017

"Weasel! Weasel! Weasel! Weasel!"

Who can recall chanting that every time Bobby Heenan entered the arena, or shouting that to the TV screen, in disdain for "the Brain" whenever he made a disparaging remark about Hulk Hogan or any other of the WWF's heroes? Nobody could rile up a crowd better than Heenan.

We loved seeing him get his just due whenever he went too far, but no one took a bump better than Heenan. Even after he suffered a real neck injury (took a bump the wrong way, I hear) he still was at the top of his game. And I suppose God wanted a good Weasel Suit match ... and now the fans in that great arena in the sky are getting them ... Dick the Bruiser, 'Da Crusher and the Ultimate Warrior all with him.

I've seen recent photos of Heenan, with the ravages of cancer and other illnesses he suffered deforming his face, almost actually taking on the appearance of a weasel's head. How sadly ironic, given that was the derisive nickname he was called (in reference to an underhanded person who talks tough but then tries to backpedal or cower in fear when threatened) by fans; this time, we hurt for Heenan and prayed that this was one opponent he could beat. The good thing was, even though I'm sure he knew that he wasn't going to win, he was determined to be with those "ham-and-eggers" and "humanoids" (his fans, natch), who have many memories of him and the joy and love of the industry he had and gave fans.

The best thing was, he was with his family when he passed. Probably not a better way to go, I suppose.

There was once the remark Heenan once made, during a match on "WWF Wrestling Challenge" where he, in mocking Gorilla Monsoon, said he dreamed he had died and went to Heaven ... until he saw Monsoon waiting for him at the Pearly Gates. This time, I can picture Monsoon waiting for "the Brain" at the Pearly Gates ... only I'm sure it was a joyous, wonderful reunion between two old friends, and all their other real-life friends (including Heenan Family members who had previously died, and the Brain's "enemies" all cheering and also sharing old memories as well).

RIP, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. You'll be missed.

Brian

[Ccook]

KNX radio reports that Jake LaMotta, "The Raging Bull" of boxing, has passed on at age 95. More here from the AP.

[Briguy]

Long time WWE manager and commentator, as well as WWE Hall of Famer, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, has passed away. He was 73 years old.

The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.

I loved our time together.

No one ever did it better than the Wease.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 2017

Quick callback to this for a second ... "the Brain" was on at least one game show in his lifetime. He, along with Gorilla Monsoon, were guest celebrities on "Super Sloppy Double Dare" in 1989, each one paired with a contestant. Bobby Heenan and his partner won the game (a fluke(?) :) ), although Bobby played up the part of uncoordinated blowhard to the hilt, as he was so good at doing. BTW: Gorilla interfered in Bobby's obstacle course attempt (the fourth one), and both contestants won by default. The show has been uploaded in the past to video sharing services, so do try to catch it.

He would have been great on Davdison's "Hollywood Squares," IMO. His skill at bluffing would have played perfectly on a show. I've pictured a week of celebrities whose skills at being grouches and sarcastic would have worked. Imagine him clashing with Don Rickles and Oscar the Grouch, for instance, and what zingers he would have given right back to Rodney Dangerfield.

Ah, what might have been.

Brian

[blozier2006]

Founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, has died at the age of 91.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hugh-hefner-founder-playboy-dead-031914304.html

[wpghi5]

Founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, has died at the age of 91.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hugh-hefner-founder-playboy-dead-031914304.html

RIP Hugh Hefner. 

[Teddy]

Playboy will never be the same without Hugh Hefner, now that he's gone to that big mansion in the sky.

[UltraPrice]

Longtime NHL broadcaster Dave Strader passed away earlier today, following a battle with cancer.  He was 62.
https://www.si.com/nhl/2017/10/01/dave-strader-passes-hockey-world-reacts

[UltraPrice]

Robert Yates, former NASCAR owner, passed away after a battle with cancer.  He was 74.
https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/10/02/robert-yates-dies-liver-cancer-nascar-hall-of-fame-2018/

[FDRfan]

Lance Russell, the legendary voice of Memphis wrestling, passed away on October 3, 2017 at age 91.

https://www.cagesideseats.com/2017/10/3/16409898/lance-russell-voice-of-memphis-russell-has-died-at-age-91