December 17, 2001. Copyright, 2001, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Farewell to all these
By Mark Samms

LONDON, December 17, Graphic News:  EVERY year marks the passing of people who have done much to improve the lives of others. Here, listed in the order they appear on the photomontage, we bid a final farewell to ten giants in their own particular field who died in 2001.

1. George Harrison: Died November 29, aged 58
The so-called Òquiet BeatleÓ who came into his own after the group disbanded. Responsible for many fine compositions including ÒSomethingÓ, which Sinatra called the finest love song ever written. George succumbed to cancer after a four-year struggle.

2. Anthony Quinn: Died June 3, aged 86
A successful actor, director and producer, Quinn was also a renowned sculptor and painter whose work sold for high prices throughout the world. He once said that without art there was no reason for living. He left 13 children by various wives and partners.

3. Jack Lemmon: Died June 27, aged 76
Cherished by millions of moviegoers and admired by his peers, Lemmon was one of the most successful actors of his generation. A double Oscar winner, he was equally at home in comedy or drama and well-known for his collaborations with Walter Matthau.

4. Perry Como: Died May 12, 2001, aged 87
The quintessential American crooner, who sold more than 100 million records in a 60-year career, died after a long illness. His relaxed style never went out of fashion and he enjoyed his last chart entry at the age of almost 60.

5. Isaac Stern: Died September 22, aged 81
The former child prodigy and master violinist, whose career stretched over more than six decades. He was also renowned for leading the campaign that saved New YorkÕs Carnegie Hall from falling into the hands of property developers during the sixties.

6. Sir Donald Bradman: Died February 25, aged 92
Indisputably the finest batsman who ever lived and a bulwark of the Australian cricket team for almost 20 years. Had he scored just four runs in his final Test innings, he would have finished with a staggering average of 100. He was dismissed without scoring!

7. Sir Fred Hoyle: Died August 20, aged 86
The English astronomer who first coined the term Òbig bangÓ to describe a theory on the creation of the universe, though he himself favoured the Òsteady stateÓ theory. An authority on science fiction as well as science fact, he wrote a number of best-selling novels.

8. Larry Adler: Died August 6 aged 87
The most successful harmonica player of all time, Adler was equally at home with classical music, jazz or pop. During a career spanning more than 70 years he collaborated with everyone from Gershwin to Kate Bush; and from Vaughan Williams to Sting.

9. Donald Woods: Died August 19, aged 67
The white South African anti-apartheid campaigner and newspaper editor was forced to flee from his homeland after bringing attention to the case of Steve Biko, the black activist who was killed by security forces while in detention.

10. Christiaan Barnard: Died September 2, aged 78
The pioneering South African surgeon whose place in medical history was ensured when he carried out the first heart transplant in 1967. It is ironic, therefore, that he should die from heart failure while on holiday in Greece.
/ENDS