The "It's Like Losing A Friend" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking back on the past year and all the great people we lost during that time. As I age it seems that more and more of my friends leave me with no chance of return.  Favorite musicians, ball players, actors, authors and some of the greatest humanitarians of my lifetime will no longer be here to entertain, write, create or lead.  Why is it that 20 years ago or even 10 years ago it didn't seem to matter that much, but in the last few years it has made a big impact on my life.  Well, I have decided not to let it bother me, but I will still miss the greats just as much.  

Nelson Mandela

I guess the biggest loss must be the passing of Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who was South Africa's first black president after being imprisoned for 27 years for fighting apartheid. But, as big a loss as it was to lose the great politician and activist, there are other famous and near famous who I remember and who influenced me just as much.  Athletes Stan Musial, known as "Stan the Man" and having one of the sweetest left-handed swings I have ever seen, who died at 92 and football player Deacon Jones who was considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history died at age 74.

Stan "The Man" Musial

Both are in their respective sports hall of fame.  Then there was Bonnie Franklin who may not have been as well-known as most actresses, but was still one of my favorites who played Ann Romano on One Day at a Time in the mid-70s to mid-80s.   This one really bothered me for you see, she was the same age as me.  Others in the field of TV were Jean Stapleton who was the "dingbat" in All in the Family who was 90 and Marcia Wallace who played Bob Newhart's receptionist.  

Bonnie Franklin

She was only a year older than me at 70.  Wow, too close!  Then there were two women columnists who I enjoyed reading in the newspaper.  94 year-old Pauline Phillips who wrote the advice column "Dear Abby" and 85 year-old psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers.  I can still remembering reading "Dear Abby" as a teenager as well as considering writing to her on numerous times, but never did.  70 year-old Roger Ebert was a real inspiration during his battle with cancer.  I watched his show with Gene Siskel on Saturdays for many years.  

Roger Ebert

I can still see the thumbs up or thumbs down after reviews on new movies.  All the previously named were big losses, but I believe the biggest for me was my favorite, Annette.  That's all you needed to call her when talking about her.  Everyone knew Annette.  Heavens, I remember watching her on TV on the Mickey Mouse Club.  She was my favorite Mouseketeer.  Not many my age didn't go to see her movies with Frankie.  All those Beach Party movies helped me realize that I enjoyed the beach scene and all that goes with it.  Annette was also only one year older than me at 70.  Tough reading about all the losses in 2013, but at least I was on the reading end of the loss!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Annette Funicello