Derrick Gaffney (1955–2025), New York Jets wide receiver

Derrick Gaffney was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Melody Beattie (1948–2025), Codependent No More author

Melody Beattie was an author best known for her self-help books, including “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” which sold more than seven million copies.

Craig Wolfley (1958–2025), Steelers player and broadcaster

Craig Wolfley was a 12-year NFL veteran who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then became a broadcaster for the team.

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint (1934–2025), psychiatrist who explored racism

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint was a psychiatrist whose work studying the impact of racism on Black populations filled books and fueled debates about culture and politics. 

Peter Tuiasosopo (1963–2025), Necessary Roughness actor

Peter Tuiasosopo was a former NFL center for the Los Angeles Rams who later became an actor, appearing in films including “Street Fighter and “Necessary Roughness.” 

Sam Nujoma (1929–2025), first president of Namibia

Sam Nujoma was a leader of Namibia’s decades-long War of Independence, later elected its first president.

Fay Vincent (1938–2025), former MLB commissioner

Fay Vincent was a former Major League Baseball commissioner who helped guide it through the 1989 earthquake, a 1993 expansion of the National League, and other key milestones in the sport.

Christian Juttner (1964–2024), star of Return From Witch Mountain

Christian Juttner was a child actor of the 1970s best known for “Return From Witch Mountain,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” and “The Magical World of Disney.” 

Deborah Finck (1967–2025), TikTok star who chronicled cancer

Deborah Finck was a mother of three sets of twins who appeared on the show “Nanny 911” and later amassed a following when her journey with cancer was chronicled on TikTok and Instagram.

Robert Machray (1945–2025), fainting Santa from M&Ms ad

Robert Machray was a character actor known for his recurring role on “Cheers” and for starring in a long-running TV commercial for M&Ms.

Dale Wilson (1950–2025), Dragon Ball Z, X-Men: Evolution voice actor

Dale Wilson was a voice actor best known for his work in the global hit series “Dragon Ball Z,” as well as animation like “Bionicle: Mask of Light,” “X-Men: Evolution,” and “Transformers” series.

Dayle Haddon (1948–2024), L'Oréal spokeswoman and actress

Dayle Haddon was a Canadian model-actress best known as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model and longtime L'Oréal spokeswoman.

Peter Yarrow (1938–2025), Peter, Paul and Mary singer

Peter Yarrow was a singer-songwriter and guitarist with the legendary folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, known for their song “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

Greg Gumbel (1946–2024), CBS sportscasting great

Greg Gumbel was a longtime sportscaster best known for his work for CBS on “The NFL Today” and for his coverage of Super Bowls and March Madness.

Dr. Kelly Powers (1979–2024), Fox News regular

Dr. Kelly Powers was a podiatric surgeon and a familiar face on Fox News programs when she publicly shared her brain cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Jim Abrahams (1944–2024), Airplane! filmmaker

Jim Abrahams was part of the Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker (ZAZ) filmmaking team, known for such comedies as “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun.”  

Barbara Taylor Bradford (1933–2024), A Woman of Substance author

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American author whose 35 best-selling novels have sold millions of copies worldwide.

Gerry Faust (1935–2024), former Notre Dame football coach

Gerry Faust was head football coach at Notre Dame in the early 1980s, as well as a Hall of Fame high school coach.

Judith Jamison (1943–2024), leader of Alvin Ailey dance troupe

Judith Jamison was an acclaimed dancer and choreographer who eventually became artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the famed modern dance company based in New York City.

Bernard Marcus (1929–2024), co-founder of The Home Depot

Bernard Marcus was a billionaire and philanthropist who was co-founder of The Home Depot hardware stores.

Tyka Nelson (1960–2024), singer and sister of Prince

Tyka Nelson was a Minneapolis-based singer who had a Top 40 song in 1988, and the lone full sibling of music legend  

Manuel “Guajiro” Mirabal (1933–2024), famed Cuban trumpeter

Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal was a famed trumpeter best known for his work with Buena Vista Social Club, who sparked a renewed interest in Cuban music in the 1990s. 

Barbara Dane (1927–2024), folk singer and activist

Barbara Dane was a folk, blues, and jazz singer who spent her career fighting for peace and justice through the power of song.

Paul Di’Anno (1958–2024), former Iron Maiden vocalist

Paul Di’Anno was a rock singer-songwriter best known as an early frontman for the legendary band Iron Maiden, performing on their debut and “Killers” albums, as well as co-writing the latter’s title track.

Ozzie Virgil Sr. (1932–2024), first Dominican player in MLB

Ozzie Virgil Sr. became the first player in Major League Baseball from the Dominican Republic when he debuted with the New York Giants in 1956.

Freddie Salem (1954–2024), former guitarist for Outlaws

Freddie Salem was a rock guitarist best known for his time with the Southern rock band Outlaws. 

Walt Ehmer (1966–2024), Waffle House CEO

Walt Ehmer was the CEO of the popular restaurant chain Waffle House from 2012 until his death.

Allen Aldridge (1972–2024), Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion

Allen Aldridge was an NFL linebacker who won Super Bowl XXXII with the Denver Broncos and played for the Detroit Lions.

Herbie Flowers (1938–2024), Walk on the Wild Side bassist

Herbie Flowers was an English bassist who played on legendary tracks like “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Space Oddity.”

Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg (1928–2024), namesake of Fort Gregg-Adams

Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg was the first Black U.S. Army officer to reach his rank and the only living person in modern history with a military installation named in their honor.

Robert Logan (1941–2024), Wilderness Family, 77 Sunset Strip actor

Robert Logan was an actor best known for playing the father, Skip Robinson, in the “Wilderness Family” series of movies in the 1970s, and for playing J. R. Hale, aka Johnnie, a parking attendant in the TV detective series “77 Sunset Strip.” 

Billy Bean (1964–2024), baseball player and LGBTQ+ advocate

Billy Bean was a baseball player for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres who became the second Major League Baseball player to come out as gay.

Francine Pascal (1932–2024), Sweet Valley High creator

Francine Pascal was an author who helped revolutionize young adult literature with her popular “Sweet Valley High” series and its spinoffs.

Mark Carnevale (1960–2024), PGA Tour golfer and commentator

Mark Carnevale was a professional golfer who won Rookie of the Year in 1992 after winning the Chattanooga Classic, and he later became a commentator for Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio.

Yvonne Furneaux (1926–2024), star of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita

Yvonne Furneaux was an actress who starred in classic films such as “La Dolce Vita” by Federico Fellini, “The Mummy,” co-starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and Roman Polanski’s “Repulsion.”

Pat Williams (1940–2024), co-founder of the Orlando Magic

Pat Williams was a longtime basketball executive who helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a championship and eventually became co-founder of the Orlando Magic.

Benji Gregory (1978–2024), child actor from ALF

Benji Gregory was a child actor best known as Brian Tanner, the son on the 1980s sitcom “ALF.” 

Joe Bonsall (1948–2024), 50-year member of The Oak Ridge Boys

Joe Bonsall was a singer and author who spent 50 years with the country music vocal group The Oak Ridge Boys.

Audrey Flack (1931–2024), acclaimed photorealist artist

Audrey Flack was an acclaimed photorealist artist whose paintings and sculpture earned worldwide accolades.

Willie Mays (1931–2024), all-time baseball legend

Willie Mays was a legendary MLB outfielder who played most of his career for the New York/San Francisco Giants. He was often called the greatest baseball player of all time.

Angela Bofill (1954–2024), This Time I’ll Be Sweeter singer

Angela Bofill was a Cuban-Puerto Rican singer known for ‘80s hits like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Too Tough,” “I’ll Try,” and “I’m On Your Side.”

Robert Hughes (1928–2024), winningest boys’ HS basketball coach

Robert Hughes was a boys’ high school basketball coach in Fort Worth, Texas whose successful leadership lead to over 1,300 victories for his teams over decades.

Jerry West (1938–2024), three-time NBA Hall of Famer

Jerry West was a three-time NBA Hall of Famer widely considered one of the best to ever play, as well as a successful executive who helped launch the career of iconic pro ballers like . 

Ben Potter (1984–2024), YouTube star better known as Comicstorian 

Ben Potter was a YouTube star better known as Comicstorian, whose audio drama adaptations of comics entertained millions of subscribers.

Harry Roland (1954–2024), “The World Trade Center Man”

Harry Roland was a street orator whose rhyming reminders and remembrances of the attacks on 9/11 kept memories alive long after they occurred.

Peggi Blu (1946–2024), Star Search champ and American Idol vocal coach

Peggi Blu was a “Star Search” champion in 1986, an R&B singer who backed up for artists like Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand, and a vocal coach on “American Idol.”

Phil Wiggins (1954–2024), iconic blues harmonica master

Phil Wiggins was a master of the blues harmonica known for his long musical partnership with guitarist/vocalist .

Jasper White (1954–2024), James Beard Award-winning Boston chef

Jasper White was a chef who helped put New England cuisine on the map as the owner of Jasper’s and Jasper White’s Summer Shack.

Mary Wells Lawrence (1928–2024), legendary advertising exec

Mary Wells Lawrence was a groundbreaking advertising executive who founded Wells Rich Greene and was known for quotable ad slogans like “I ♥ NY” and “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz.”