A founder of the Negro Ensemble Company in New York in the 1960s, he was outspoken about limited opportunities for fellow Black actors and directors. Source: New York Times
Posts published in “Deaths (Obituaries)”
Milford Graves, Singular Drummer and Polymath, Dies at 79
By Gotham Rex on February 19, 2021
His free-jazz drumming style was unlike anything heard before, but his explorations and inventions went far beyond music. Source: New York Times
Jack Schwartz, Key Cog at New York Newspapers, Dies at 82
By Gotham Rex on February 19, 2021
His guiding hand shaped countless news stories and careers. He died of Covid-19. Source: New York Times
Bruce Blackburn, Designer of Ubiquitous NASA Logo, Dies at 82
By Gotham Rex on February 18, 2021
He was known for the NASA “worm,” which has become synonymous with space exploration. He also designed the 1976 American Revolution Bicentennial star. Source: New York Times
Barbara Ann Rowan, Who Spurred Advances for Black Lawyers, Dies at 82
By Gotham Rex on February 18, 2021
As a Black lawyer she protested a racial slur during a bar association speech after forging a trail as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan. She died of Covid-19. Source: New York Times
Johnny Pacheco, Who Helped Bring Salsa to the World, Dies at 85
By Gotham Rex on February 15, 2021
A Dominican-born bandleader and songwriter, he co-founded Fania Records, known as the Motown of Salsa. Source: New York Times
Kathleen Ham, Who Met Her Rapist Twice in Court, Dies at 73
By Gotham Rex on February 15, 2021
“He’s been out there for 32 years,” she said in a voice turned gravelly by years of chain-smoking. “And I’ve been in my own private jail.” Source: New York Times
Robert Maraj, Father of Nicki Minaj, Is Killed in Hit and Run, Police Say
By Gotham Rex on February 14, 2021
He died at a hospital on Saturday after being struck on Friday evening in Mineola, N.Y., on Long Island, the authorities said. Source: New York Times
Albor Ruiz, a Journalistic Voice for Latinos, Is Dead at 80
By Gotham Rex on February 14, 2021
As a columnist for The Daily News, he wrote passionately about the issues facing immigrants and lobbied for the U.S. to lift its trade embargo of his native Cuba. Source: New York Times
Reggie Jones, Jones Beach’s Longest-Serving Lifeguard, Dies at 93
By Gotham Rex on February 14, 2021
He began keeping an eye on beachgoers in 1944 and kept doing it for 64 summers. He made more than 1,000 ocean rescues in his career. Source: New York Times
Brenda Ballin, Who Enlivened Tours of the Met Museum, Dies at 91
By Gotham Rex on February 12, 2021
She was a guide at the museum for decades, bringing both knowledge and humor to the task. She died of complications of Covid-19. Source: New York Times
Leslie Robertson, Who Engineered the World Trade Center, Dies at 92
By Gotham Rex on February 11, 2021
He remained proud of the towers, which stood long enough for thousands to escape on 9/11, but carried with him “a troubled heart.” Source: New York Times
Lourdes Rivera, Private High School’s Beating Heart, Dies at 68
By Gotham Rex on February 9, 2021
Ms. Rivera was Columbia Prep’s receptionist, and emanated empathy, tough love and comfort to students, faculty and parents alike at the New York City school. She died of complications of Covid-19. Source: New York Times
Joe Allen, Theater District Restaurateur, Is Dead at 87
By Gotham Rex on February 8, 2021
His restaurant Joe Allen and another he opened next door, Orso, have been popular hangouts for celebrities and celebrity-watchers and the flagships of an international empire. Source: New York Times
Cindy Nemser, Advocate for Women Artists, Is Dead at 83
By Gotham Rex on February 7, 2021
In the 1970s she called out chauvinism and pushed back against the marginalization of women in the art world, in part by helping to create The Feminist Art Journal. Source: New York Times