Obituaries
Memorializing notable Chicagoans and people from around the world who have recently died.
Avellini’s miraculous 37-yard touchdown pass to Greg Latta with three seconds left beat the Chiefs 28-27 in 1977 and sparked a six-game winning streak that put the Bears in the playoffs for the first time since 1963.
He fed hungry steelworkers from the nearby U.S. Steel South Works plant, taking off just two days a year — Christmas and Thanksgiving. But his kids would join him and help out at the restaurant.
The couple had been married for 61 years at the time of her passing.
MacNeil first gained prominence for his coverage of the Senate Watergate hearings for PBS and began his half-hour “Robert MacNeil Report” on PBS in 1975 with his friend Jim Lehrer as Washington correspondent.
A message posted Thursday on Simpson’s official X account — formerly Twitter — said he died after battling cancer.
The Chicagoan quit a career in sales to pursue his dream of being a chef.
A two-time All-Star, Grote played 16 seasons in the majors and batted .252 with 39 home runs and 404 RBI.
Karen Yarbrough was the first Black person and first woman to serve as Cook County clerk. Mayor Brandon Johnson said Yarbrough “forged a path for officials like myself and others” as a pioneer and tireless legislator.
Mr. Phillips was always the first on stage warming up before performances at Orchestra Hall.
City’s Black entrepreneurs recall Dale’s generosity and support.
He offered Chicago’s Korean community information on the American justice system, politics and education, as well as a way to stay connected to local news and each other.
Lucchino hired 28-year-old Theo Epstein as general manager of the Red Sox.
On ‘SCTV’ he was known as station owner Guy Caballero and monster movie host Count Floyd.
Lou Conter was on the main deck of the Arizona as Japanese planes flew overhead at 7:55 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941. About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu that day, and about 19 survivors of the attack are estimated to still be alive.
Davis infamously retired during halftime of a game in 2018.
Chance Perdomo, star of 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' and 'Gen V,' dies in motorcycle crash at 27
Perdomo, who was Black and Latino, was born in Los Angeles and raised in England. Perdomo also acted in several of the ‘After’ movies and is credited in the upcoming ‘Bad Man’ alongside Seann William Scott and Rob Riggle.
A Roman Catholic, Mr. Phelan used his executive powers as board president to restore abortion services to the county’s health care provider. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action created the yearly Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award in his honor.
In 1983, Gossett became the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category. He won for his performance as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
He launched a campaign against a proposed neo-Nazis march at a time the suburb was home to many Holocaust survivors. His rabbi at Skokie Central Congregation urged Jews to ignore the Nazis. “I jumped up and said, ‘No, Rabbi. We will not stay home and close the windows.’ ”
Joe Lieberman was a Democrat who ran for vice president with Al Gore in 2000 and became an independent and nearly joined the GOP ticket eight years later with Sen. John McCain.
Richard Serra was considered one of his generation’s most preeminent sculptors,known for his large-scale steel structures that he shaped into many forms.
David van Dyck was one of the most respected sportswriters in Chicago. He had a gift of getting to know behind-the-scenes people who tipped him to scoops and gave his reporting depth. He later worked for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Just 12 years old when his father, Jean de Brunhoff died, Laurent was an adult when he drew upon his own gifts as a painter and storyteller and released dozens of books about the elephant who reigns over Celesteville.
“He was a legend in Chicago,” said Jorge Bernaldez, a friend. “He worked at Spybar, Sound Bar, Crobar, Green Dolphin — you name it, all the main nightclubs in Chicago, and he opened a lot of them when they were brand new.”
With his unmistakable face and unsettling presence, he often played good old boys with bad intentions.
Simon won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and was part of runs to the final with Washington in 1998 and Calgary in 2004.
A childhood prodigy who studied under Vladimir Horowitz, Janis emerged in the late 1940s as one of the most celebrated virtuosos of a new generation of talented American pianists.
The well-known theater company was part of the Black Arts Movement in Chicago.
The daughter of one mayor and sister to another, Mrs. Martino “had extraordinary experiences,” Monsignor Kenneth Velo said. “And yet ... she was ordinary. She was down to earth.”
Waterboys founder Mike Scott called him “one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known” in a post Monday on X, formerly Twitter. “Travel on well my old friend,” he said.
Mr. Todd’s focus on promoting civil rights ran throughout his groundbreaking law career. ‘I don’t care what technology you use, what app you have. You still can’t download freedom.’
His solo hits included ‘Make Me Lose Control’ and the ‘Dirty Dancing’ smash ‘Hungry Eyes.’