final credits > last link on the left

Bill Matheson

Popular Edmonton weatherman and radio talk show host.

September 19, 2006 at age 80. Complications brought on by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

In today's age of computer-generated weather graphics delivered by those with perfect hair, Bill Matheson would be called a dinosaur.

But in a previous age, Matty was the dean of Edmonton weathermen, once honoured as the world’s best weather presenter at an International Weather Forecaster’s Festival in Paris.

And for 23 years as Edmonton's CITV senior weatherman, he entertained, elucidated, emancipated, enlightened and gave mental emolument to the hoi polloi [full tribute & permanent link].

Marc Bourdages

Saskatchewan RCMP officer

July 16, 2006 at age 26. Gunshot.

On July 7th, 2006 two RCMP officers responded to a disturbance call on Main Street in Spiritwood, a small town about 140 kilometres west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Constables Marc Bourdages and Robin Cameron soon found themselves pursuing a fleeing suspect down country back roads past fields of grain and cattle nestled among stands of aspen, pine and black spruce.

The chase ended when Cameron and Bourdages were shot. The suspect fled into the thick Saskatchewan bush [full tribute & permanent link].

Robin Cameron

Saskatchewan RCMP officer

July 15, 2006 at age 29. Gunshot.

On July 7th, 2006 two RCMP officers responded to a disturbance call on Main Street in Spiritwood, a small town about 140 kilometres west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages soon found themselves pursuing a fleeing suspect down country back roads past fields of grain and cattle nestled among stands of aspen, pine and black spruce.

The chase ended when Cameron and Bourdages were shot. The suspect fled into the thick Saskatchewan bush [full tribute & permanent link].

Syd Barrett

Co-founded Pink Floyd

July 7, 2006 at age 60. Cancer.

He gave pop music that space cadet glow.

Syd Barrett, one-time front man for Pink Floyd, died in relative obscurity July 7th, 2006 at the age of 60. Although an official cause of death was not released, a family member said Barrett died from cancer.

Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote many of the band's early songs.

Increasingly erratic behaviour led to the group replacing Barrett with Dave Gilmour.

Barrett recorded two solo albums with the help of his bandmates but his mental instability prevented him from achieving a fraction of the success the band he formed achieved.

In recent years he tended to a garden at his mother's house. The seeds he sowed when he gave Pink Floyd their artistic template still echo far and wide throughout pop music to this day [full tribute & permanent link].

June Allyson

The perfect wife for movie stars and American GIs

July 8, 2006 at age 88. Pulmonary respiratory failure and acute bronchitis.

On screen, she was the perfect wife.

While World War II American GIs pined after the likes of Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable, it was June Allyson they hoped would be waiting for them back home.

As an actress she had two valuable skills: She could memorize her lines almost instantly, and she could turn on the tears.

"They liked me because I was the only actress who not only cried on cue, I could also cry in key! That's very important in musicals." [full tribute & permanent link].

Raymond J. Plouhar

American soldier who appeared in 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

June 26, 2006 at age 31. Roadside bomb in Anbar province, Iraq.

Ray Plouhar's name won't likely register with many people.

Some may recognise him as the United States Marine recruiting officer seen approaching prospective grunts in a mall parking lot in Michael Moore's 2004 documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11."

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Raymond J. Plouhar died of wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Iraq's volatile Anbar province.

Plouhar had only 38 days left in Iraq and had been there a little more than four months during his most recent tour [full tribute & permanent link].

Jeffrey M. Harbers

Developed Microsoft's Office

June 24, 2006 at age 54. Plane crash.

Jeffery Harbers was an engineering graduate of the University of Washington. After graduating he worked at a research center in Antarctica and on the Alaska oil pipeline.

Harbers joined Microsoft in 1981 and was employee number 67. He was considered the leader who shaped the Office development team during the 1980s. He also served as director of Microsoft applications development and as general manager of the data access business unit.

The Office product line is used by 450 million people daily [full tribute & permanent link].

E. Pierce Marshall

Anna Nicole Smith's stepson

June 20, 2006 at age 67. Brief and extremely aggressive infection.

James Howard Marshall II was a wealthy American oil business executive. On June 27th, 1994 he married Anna Nicole Smith, Playboy Playmate (36DD-26-38) and topless dancer. She was 26; he was 89.

A bitter legal battle over Marshall's estate erupted between Smith and Marshall's son, E. Pierce Marshall.

E. Pierce Marshall died unexpectedly on June 20th, 2006 [full tribute & permanent link].

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