Peter Veness was an Australian journalist died he was 27.. He worked in the Press Gallery at Parliament House for the Australian Associated Press.
(10 April 1984 – 15 January 2012)
Veness joined the AAP in 2006.[1] He was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in 2009 and died on 15 January 2012.[2] His funeral was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and several Senators.[3]
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Hulett Carlson Smith served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969 died he was 93..
(October 21, 1918 – January 15, 2012)
The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia.
Smith attended public schools in Raleigh County, and graduated with
honors from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance
and Administration, where he majored in economics. Following his
graduation from the Wharton School, Smith worked in the insurance
business and at his family’s radio station. During World War II he
served in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant, and
ultimately became a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.[1]
Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as president
of The West Virginia Junior Chamber of Commerce (1949–1950). He was the
chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party from 1956 to 1962. During this time Smith co-founded Bald Knob Ski Slopes, the predecessor to Winterplace Ski Resort.[2]
He was elected Governor in 1964 and served for one term. Due to term
limits in place at that time, he was unable to run for a second term in
1968. After his term as Governor, Smith served as a Presidential elector in 1992; he was also on the slate of George McGovern‘s electors in 1972.[3]
In 1968, Smith responded to the bombing of the gymnasium at Bluefield State College by offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to conviction of the culprits.
Smith died in at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 93.[4]
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Jack Roberts was an American rock and ice climber died from a heart attack he was 58..
(May 29, 1952 – January 15, 2012)
Roberts had climbed in Alaska, South America, and Europe in addition to the continental United States.[1] He wrote on climbing and published a book, Colorado Ice, in 2005.[2]
On January 15, 2012, Roberts was climbing Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride, Colorado, and fell 60 feet.[3] He suffered a heart attack and broken hip, and died on the scene after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts by a rescue team.[3]
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Ranger Roberts of Boulder
Colorado, sister Christine Roberts Legerski of Careywood, Idaho and
mother Eda Joyce Roberts of Coeur D’alene, Idaho
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Rafael Rincón González was a Venezuelan musician died he was 89.. He is
a composer of more than 600 songs, including “Pregones Zulianos,” which
was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was named to the orders of San Sebastián and Diego de Losada (1997). On August 23, 1993, his compositions were determined to be the musical patrimony of the Zulia state.
(Maracaibo, Zulia state, Venezuela,
September 30, 1922 – January 15, 2012)
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Jerry Poteet was an American martial arts instructor, recognized for his teachings in the art of Jeet Kune Do as an original Bruce Lee student died he was 61,.
(November 29,1936 – January 15,2012)
Jerry Poteet was known by many as “the conscience of Jeet Kune Do.”
After the death of his teacher, Jerry stood firm, refusing to water down
the art that had such an enormous impact in his life. In fact, Jerry
credited his teacher, Bruce Lee, with giving him the tools to survive,
“the fight of my life”, when he was compelled to undergo a liver
transplant in 1995. Until his death, Jerry taught Jeet Kune Do to the
next generation of students and instructors, who will keep the flame
alive. Sifu Poteet taught martial arts for over 40 years. Like many
young men in the 1960s, Jerry began his martial arts career in Kenpo, and became a black belt under renowned Kenpo Instructor Ed Parker.
Poteet was also selected to be in a “closed door” group of five
students. In the years since, Jerry used his martial arts expertise to
train the Dallas Cowboys football team, executive bodyguard Hollywood celebrities, and choreograph the fight scenes of several motion pictures.
His proudest achievement was that he was chosen as the person best
able to train the actor who would portray his teacher, Bruce Lee, in “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story“.
Over the years, Jerry refined a teaching method that, like the art of
Jeet Kune Do itself, strips away the inessentials. It was this method he
used to train actor Jason Scott Lee for the role. For Sifu Poteet, it was his way of giving something back to his teacher, “Bruce, for all he gave me.”
Some of Jerry’s notable students were Jason Scott Lee and Kevin
Sorbo. In addition to choreographing Jason Scott Lee’s key fight scenes
in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Jerry worked with him on Soldier and
Time Cop 2: The Berlin Decision.
The last years of Sifu Poteet’s life was dedicated to preserving and
refining the precious legacy he received from his Instructor, Bruce Lee.
His students are noted for amazing skills, all attributable to Jerry’s
unique teaching method and curriculum.
He died on January 15, 2012.[2]
Today, Poteet’s legacy is being kept alive by protege Sifu Fran Poteet
Joseph through the Jerry Poteet Jeet Kune Do Association.[3]
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Michael Louis Mussa was an American economist and academic died from heart failure he was 67.. He was chief economist at the International Monetary Fund from 1991 to 2001, and was a member of the Council of Economic Advisers from 1986 to 1988. He was also a Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics from 2001 until his death in 2012.[1][2][3]
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Father Matteo La Grua [1] was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and exorcist of the Fransican Order died he was 97.. He was the author of several books in Italian, including La preghiera di liberazione.[2]
He entered the priesthood on July 25, 1937. For over thirty years he was the official exorcist of the Archdiocese of Palermo, Italy. On Saturday, July 22, 2007, Father La Grua celebrated his 70th anniversary in the priesthood.
In a book printed in Italian called the President of the Exorcists written by the senior exorcist of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth, there is a section by Father La Gura on curses and prayers of liberation.
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Samuel Jaskilka was a four-star general whose last assignment was Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1975–1978) died from pneumonia he was 92.. General Jaskilka is a highly decorated veteran of the Korean War, having led the landing at Inchon as a company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after 34 years of service.
(December 15, 1919 – January 15, 2012)
Samuel Jaskilka was born on December 15, 1919, in Ansonia, Connecticut, in a family of Ukrainian-Americans. He graduated from Ansonia High School in 1937. In May 1942, he graduated from the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
On September 26, 1942, Jaskilka accepted an appointment as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to active duty. He completed the Reserve Officers’ Class, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia
in 1942, and completed the Sea School at Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1943.
He accepted an appointment in the regular Marine Corps in March 1943.
During World War II, Jaskilka served aboard the USS Princeton and participated in the Tarawa Island raid, the Gilbert Islands Operation, the Marshall Islands Operation, Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Wolei raids, Marianas Operation, Western Caroline Islands Operation and the Leyte Operation. He served on the USS Princeton and survived its sinking in the Battle of Leyte Gulf On October 24, 1944. He was promoted to first lieutenant on June 22, 1943.
Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned duty as Instructor, Headquarters Company, Troop Leaders Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California until August 1945. He was promoted to captain in January 1945.
From September 1945 until May 1947, Captain Jaskilka saw tours of
independent duty with District Headquarters Recruiting Station, Manchester, New Hampshire, and District Headquarters Recruiting Station in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. In January 1948, he completed the Amphibious Warfare
School, Junior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, and became
Commanding Officer, Marine Detachment, U.S. Naval Air Activities, Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
In September 1949, Jaskilka joined the 1st Marine Division
and later embarked with the division for Korea serving successively as
Battalion Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Company E, 2nd
Battalion, Fifth Marines. He led the first wave of Marines onto Red
Beach on September 15, 1950 in the Invasion of Inchon, Pusan Perimeter
as CO of Company E of the 2/5. For heroism in combat in Korea, he
received two awards of the Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Combat “V”. He was promoted to major in January 1951
Jaskilka returned to the States in February 1952 and served as Monitor, Detail Branch, Personnel Department, Headquarters Marine Corps.
In July 1954, he was transferred to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton,
for duty as Operations Officer, Marine Corps Test Unit #1. He was
promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1955.
Upon completion of the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course,
Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in June 1957, LtCol Jaskilka had a
three-year tour of duty as Assistant G-3 Operations and Plans Officer
with Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He returned to Quantico in July 1960 and served as an Instructor at the Senior School.
He reported to the 3rd Marine Division,
Fleet Marine Force in July 1963, and was assigned duty as Executive
Officer, Third Marines, and later, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, SEATO
Expeditionary Brigade. Following his return to the United States, he
assumed duty as Joint Staff Officer in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He was promoted to colonel in July 1964.
In August 1966, he was reassigned to Headquarters Marine Corps where
he served consecutively as Deputy Manpower Coordinator for Research and
Information Systems, G-1 Division; as Director, Data Systems Division;
and as Director, Management Analysis Group. He earned the Legion of
Merit for his service during the latter two assignments, and was
promoted to brigadier general on October 18, 1968.
Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam
in February 1969, BGen Jaskilka served as Assistant Division Commander,
1st Marine Division, and CG, Task Force Yankee. In August 1969, he was
reassigned duty as J-3, Operations, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
(MACV). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his Vietnam service.
General Jaskilka returned to the United States in August 1970, and
reported to Quantico, where he served as Director, Command and Staff
College, then as Deputy for Development/Director. Development Center,
Marine Corps Development and Education Command.
Following his promotion to major general in August 1972, he became
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in
this capacity until his transfer in July 1973, to Camp Lejeune, where he served as Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division.
He was promoted to lieutenant general on January 2, 1974 and was
assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower at Headquarters Marine
Corps.
He remained in that position until July 1, 1975 when he was named
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. While serving in that
capacity, General Jaskilka was advanced to the grade of general, to rank
from March 4, 1976. He retired on June 30, 1978 after thirty-six years
of service.
Samuel Jaskilka died on January 15, 2012, at the age of 92 of pneumonia.[1] His funeral was held on January 26, 2012; he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
General Jaskilka holds the following personal decorations:
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Bernard “Ben” Hana, a.k.a. “Blanket Man”, was a homeless man who wandered the inner city streets of Wellington, New Zealand died he was 54..[1] He was a local fixture and something of a celebrity, and was typically found on the footpath in the precincts of Cuba Street and Courtenay Place,.[1]
Hana was a self-proclaimed devotee of the Māori sun god Tama-nui-te-rā,[2] and claimed that he should wear as few items of clothing as possible, as an act of religious observance.[citation needed] As a result, he would sometimes remove all his clothing, which resulted in the consequent attendance of police officers.
His name of “Blanket Man” was a reference to his usual mode of dress, which was a single blanket,[1] long dreadlocks and either a loin cloth or briefs. His activities and presence provoked a degree of public debate within Wellington.[1]
It’s believed Hana chose to live on the streets after killing a friend in a drink-driving accident[3] as a form of self-penance.[4]
In the late 1970s Hana associated with the Black Power gang, living in Wellington, going by the name Bugs[5] and fathering two children.[3]
Hana was arrested and imprisoned several times for offences including public nudity[6] and possession of cannabis.[7] His criminal record reportedly ran 17 pages long.[1] In 1979, he was convicted of drunk driving causing death.[1]
Ben Hana visited the South Island for the first time in 2010, was arrested, charged and flown home after being provided with a shower and new overalls.[8]
In 2010, a judge ordered that Hana be made a mental health patient to be housed in Wellington Hospital’s
psychiatric ward 27, where “he will have clean clothes, regular meals,
and no access to drink and drugs.” In the same year he was released back
onto the streets without any notable change in character.[1]
In his later years he was a diagnosed schizophrenic under a community
treatment order which allowed forced medical treatment as an outpatient.[3]
With his distinctive look and high visibility location, Hana became
something of a local celebrity. In general, he was tolerated by some
shopkeepers outside whose premises he sat, and by passers-by, although
there have been times of opposition from other shopkeepers. Also, on
occasions when he decided to push the boundaries of offensive behaviour,
police officers were likely to be in attendance. As someone who
departed from the patterns of normal behaviour, Hana had become a figure
of amusement, sympathy, disgust and even some academic interest. During
the 2006 Rugby Sevens tournament, one costumed group appeared in dreads and blankets, mimicking his distinctive look.[9]
Hana featured in several works:
Hana, age 54, died in Wellington Hospital at 3:35 p.m. on 15 January 2012[13] of suspected viral myocarditis.[3] However, he was suffering medical problems stemming from heavy alcohol use and malnutrition.[14] A temporary shrine was created outside the ANZ Bank
on Courtenay Place, a location where Hana could often be found.
Messages were written on the building’s facade, and flowers, candles,
food and other items were left in tribute.
Among those who paid tribute were Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown and sports athlete Sonny Bill Williams.[15] His funeral was paid for by philanthropist Gareth Morgan.[16]
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Carlo Fruttero was an Italian writer, journalist, translator and editor of anthologies died he was 85..
(19 September 1926 – 15 January 2012)
Fruttero was born in Turin. He is mostly known for his joint work with Franco Lucentini, especially as authors of crime novels. The duo was also editor of the science fiction series Urania from the 1960s to the 1980s, and of the comics magazine Il Mago.
Fruttero died, aged 85, in Castiglione della Pescaia.[1]
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