Patti McGee (1945–2024), first female skateboarding champion

Patti McGee was the first woman to skateboard professionally and the first winner of the women’s division of the National Skateboard Championships.

Roland Griffiths (1946–2023), psychedelic-assisted therapies pioneer 

Roland Griffiths was a psychopharmacologist and psychedelics researcher who helped pioneer the study of psychedelic-assisted therapy for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.

Martti Ahtisaari (1937–2023), Nobel-winning Finnish president

Martti Ahtisaari was the former president of Finland and the recipient of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.

María Salud Ramírez Caballero (1913–2022), called the “Real Life Mamá Coco”

María Salud Ramírez Caballero was a Mexican matriarch who became well known late in life for her resemblance to the character Mamá Coco in the Pixar animated film “Coco.”

Ronnie Tutt (1938–2021), drummer for Elvis Presley, Jerry Garcia

Ronnie Tutt was a drummer who performed and recorded with artists including and .

Betty Lynn (1926–2021), “The Andy Griffith Show” actress

Betty Lynn was an actress best known for playing Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend, on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

James Redford (1962–2020), filmmaker who was Robert Redford’s son

James Redford was a filmmaker known for documentaries including “The Kindness of Strangers,” and he was the son of actor and director Robert Redford.

Johnny Bush (1935–2020), “Whiskey River” co-songwriter

Johnny Bushwas a country music singer-songwriter whose songe2809cWhiskey Rivere2809dbecame a signature song for outlaw country legend Willie Nelson.

John Clarke (1931–2019), longtime “Days of Our Lives” star

John Clarke was one of the original stars of “Days of Our Lives,” joining the popular daytime soap opera when it debuted in 1965 and remaining with the show for 39 years until his retirement in 2004. Clarke played Mickey Horton, the go-to lawyer in the show’s fictional town of Salem, who rarely won a case. Clarke was honored with a Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 for his work on “Days of Our Lives.” He is the father of “The O.C.” actress Melinda Clarke.

Dr. Bernard Fisher (1918–2019), pioneer of breast cancer treatment

Dr. Bernard Fisher was a surgeon whose research revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer.

Patrick Day (1992–2019), professional boxer

Professional boxer Patrick Day died from brain injuries four days after being knocked out in a fight against undefeated Charles Conwell onSaturday Oct. 12, 2019, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The knockout occurred in the 10th round of the junior middleweight fight after a left hook from Conwell caused Day to fall back and hit his head on the canvas. Day was an accomplished amateur boxer who had won the New York State Golden Gloves championship. He had a professional record of 17 wins, 4 losses, and one draw. He was from Freeport, Long Island, New York, and was well known in his hometown as a top boxer.

Albert Lexie (1942–2018), shoe-shine man gave his tips to children’s hospital

Donated more than $200,000 to help “my kids” at children’s hospital in Pittsburgh.

Harriette Thompson, three-time cancer survivor set marathon record at age 92

Harriette Thompson, three-time cancer survivor who began running marathons at age 76, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, according to The Associated Press. She was 94.

John Dunsworth (1946 – 2017), actor starred on "Trailer Park Boys"

Played trailer park supervisor Jim Lahey on the comedy series…

Roy Dotrice (1923 – 2017), British actor played Leopold Mozart in "Amadeus"

He portrayed Hallyne the Pyromancer in “Game of Thrones”…

Cecilia Hart (1948 - 2016), actress and James Earl Jones' wife

Cecilia Hart, stage and screen actress and wife of actor James Earl Jones, died Sunday, October 16, 2016 after a yearlong battle with ovarian cancer in Westport, Connecticut. She was 68.

Clyde Holloway (1943 - 2016), former U.S. Representative

Clyde C. Holloway, a former member of the U.S. Congress, died Oct. 16, 2016, at his home in Forest Hill, Louisiana, according to multiple news sources. He was 72.

Trinity Gay (2001 - 2016), daughter of Olympian Tyson Gay

Trinity Gay, the daughter of U.S. Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay, has been fatally shot in Kentucky, according to multiple news reports.

Gene Krupa: The Drummer's Drummer

Gene Krupa, born 102 years ago today, was one of the most influential drummers in history. Funny to think that he could have ended up a saxophonist or a priest instead...