News Obituaries
![Increased competition from online retailers, the onslaught of chains such as Dollar General stores and an aging lineup of independent grocers have only made things tougher. Increased competition from online retailers, the onslaught of chains such as Dollar General stores and an aging lineup of independent grocers have only made things tougher.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/US-NEWS-RURAL-GROCERYSTORES-1-SH.jpg?w=117)
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‘The lifeblood of the community’: States invest to save rural grocery stores
Increased competition from online retailers, the onslaught of chains such as Dollar General stores and...
![Country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith, whose pro-American anthems were both beloved and criticized, has died. He was 62. A statement posted on his website says Keith died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family. He had stomach cancer. The statement says: “He fought his fight with grace and courage.” He announced his cancer diagnosis in 2022. Keith broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, crafting an identity around his macho swagger and writing songs that fans loved to hear. His hits included “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson. Country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith, whose pro-American anthems were both beloved and criticized, has died. He was 62. A statement posted on his website says Keith died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family. He had stomach cancer. The statement says: “He fought his fight with grace and courage.” He announced his cancer diagnosis in 2022. Keith broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, crafting an identity around his macho swagger and writing songs that fans loved to hear. His hits included “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Obit_Toby_Keith_69442-8.jpg?w=122)
Toby Keith, country singer-songwriter, dies at 62 after stomach cancer diagnosis
Country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith, whose pro-American anthems were both beloved and criticized, has died....
![Mary Cleave, the NASA astronaut who in 1989 became the first woman to fly on a space shuttle mission after the Challenger disaster, has died at the age of 76. Mary Cleave, the NASA astronaut who in 1989 became the first woman to fly on a space shuttle mission after the Challenger disaster, has died at the age of 76.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/marycleave2.jpg?w=120)
Astronaut Mary Cleave, the first woman to fly on NASA’s space shuttle after Challenger disaster, dies at 76
Mary Cleave, the NASA astronaut who in 1989 became the first woman to fly on...
![Shane MacGowan, the legendary leader of the Pogues, died on Thursday. We remember the singer-songwriter with some of his best recordings. Shane MacGowan, the legendary leader of the Pogues, died on Thursday. We remember the singer-songwriter with some of his best recordings.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Shane_MacGowan_Obit_03614.jpg?w=132)
Shane MacGowan: Remembering this troubled genius with 5 great songs
Shane MacGowan, the legendary leader of the Pogues, died on Thursday. We remember the singer-songwriter...
![Margaret Huntley Main held the title in 1940, and met every Rose Queen from 1905 to 2020. The San Jose State grad later went on to teach kindergarten in Orangevale. Margaret Huntley Main held the title in 1940, and met every Rose Queen from 1905 to 2020. The San Jose State grad later went on to teach kindergarten in Orangevale.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-OBMAIN-01-1128-e1701216486646.jpg?w=129)
Oldest living Tournament of Roses queen dies at 102
Margaret Huntley Main held the title in 1940, and met every Rose Queen from 1905...
![Small samples of the cremated remains of scientist and astronaut Michael Lampton and 233 others will make eternal loops around the sun. Small samples of the cremated remains of scientist and astronaut Michael Lampton and 233 others will make eternal loops around the sun.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-SPACEBURIAL-01-2.jpg?w=131)
Rest in space: A California astronaut gets a celestial burial
Small samples of the cremated remains of scientist and astronaut Michael Lampton and 233 others...
![The Emmy award-winning actor also played Stefan DiMera on "Days of Our Lives." The Emmy award-winning actor also played Stefan DiMera on "Days of Our Lives."](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SJM-L-OBCHRISTOPHER-01-1101-e1698856898865.jpg?w=130)
‘General Hospital’ star Tyler Christopher dies; played Nikolas Cassadine on soap opera
The Emmy award-winning actor also played Stefan DiMera on "Days of Our Lives."
![Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor for Black filmmakers who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in the 1971 action movie “Shaft” and several sequels, has died. He was 81. Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, says the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy. Roundtree was considered as the “first Black action hero” and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s feature film debut after starting his career as a model. Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor for Black filmmakers who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in the 1971 action movie “Shaft” and several sequels, has died. He was 81. Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, says the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy. Roundtree was considered as the “first Black action hero” and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s feature film debut after starting his career as a model.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Obit_Richard_Roundtree_95483.jpg?w=132)
‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81
Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor for Black filmmakers who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective...
![Over more than 60 years of published work, Glück forged a narrative of trauma, disillusion, stasis and longing, spelled by moments — but only moments — of ecstasy and contentment. Over more than 60 years of published work, Glück forged a narrative of trauma, disillusion, stasis and longing, spelled by moments — but only moments — of ecstasy and contentment.](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Obit_-_Louise_Glx00FCck_99433.jpg?w=129)
Louise Glück, Nobel-winning poet of terse and candid lyricism, dies at 80
Over more than 60 years of published work, Glück forged a narrative of trauma, disillusion,...
![The Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-3304564.jpg?w=114)
Rudolph Isley, founding member of Isley Brothers and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, dies at 84
Rudolph Isley, a founding member of the Isley Brothers who helped perform such raw rhythm...