Obituaries

Today a spate of obits; included some from previous days.


Bruce Wasserstein, Lazard Banker, Dies at 61 Mr. Wasserstein was a Wall Street investment banker who helped pioneer the hostile takeover and reshaped the mergers and acquisitions business into a high art. Brother of Wendy Wasserstein, the playwright (Heidi Chronicles).

Al Martino, Singer of Pop Ballads, Is Dead at 82



Al Martino as Johnny Fontane in a scene from "The Godfather." Mr. Martino, 82, was renowned for a string of hits, including “Spanish Eyes” and “Volare,” and for his role as the wedding singer in “The Godfather.”





Nan Robertson, Who Chronicled Discrimination Suit at The Times, Is Dead at 83 Ms. Robertson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The New York Times, was widely known for her book “The Girls in the Balcony.”


Captain Lou Albano, Wrestler and Showman, Dies at 76 Mr. Albano was a pro wrestling villain who reinvented himself as a pop culture celebrity in a Cyndi Lauper music video and in movies and television.

William Wayne Justice, Noted Judge, Dies at 89 Judge Justice of Federal District Court ruled on ground-breaking class-action suits that compelled Texas to integrate schools, reform prisons, and educate illegal immigrants.
If he'd gotten to the Supreme Court, he would've been Justice Justice.

Dickie Peterson, Singer for Rock Band Blue Cheer, Dies at 63Mr. Peterson’s screaming vocals and pounding bass lines helped push the psychedelic blues-rock trio Blue Cheer into the musical territory that would later be called heavy metal.


September 27, 2009 : William Safire, Political Columnist and Oracle of Language, Dies at 79 Mr. Safire was a speechwriter for President Richard M. Nixon and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for The Times. Quite a combination of careers. Dig the PC.