Find Your Daily Voice
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33
The world lost an extraordinary spirit on Friday, Dec. 27, with the passing of Maggie Kudirka, lovingly known as the "Bald Ballerina. "Maggie, 33, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones shared on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Maggie Kudirka (@baldballerina)
The Joffrey Ballet School, where Maggie trained, mourned her loss, calling her a “beautiful warrior.” “Maggie’s passion and grace will forever inspire us,” they wrote, reflecting on her profound impact on the dance and c…
Longtime Lake Mohegan Firefighter Dies At 56: Remembered For Life Of Service
A Northern Westchester community is mourning the sudden loss of veteran firefighter and Hudson Valley resident Christopher Johanson, who dedicated his life to service and his family.
Johanson, a 24-year veteran firefighter with the Lake Mohegan Fire Department, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 26, at his home in Cold Spring at the age of 56, according to his obituary.
Johanson, badge number 61, joined the Lake Mohegan Fire Department in August 2000 and was most recently assigned to Station 2, the Jefferson Valley Firehouse.
In a memorial post on social media, t…
New Englander Linda Lavin, 'Alice' Star Dies, 87
Linda Lavin, the two-time Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominated actress whose career spanned six decades on stage and screen, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 87, according to The New York Times.
Born in Portland, Maine, Lavin studied acting at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she was deeply involved in the theater program. Her career took off with her iconic role as Alice Hyatt on the hit TV series "Alice," which earned her two Golden Globes and cemented her as a household name.
A force on Broadway, Lavin captivated audiences with performances in multiple …
Beloved Nyack Firefighter, Coach, Family Man Miles E. Taylor Dies Suddenly
Sometimes, you never know who that firefighter is working to save.
But all have a story, as does Miles E. Taylor, former Chief of the Nyack Fire Department in Rockland County, who died suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Taylor, 60, of Nyack and Perkinsville, VT, was a well-known video producer for major news outlets, including ESPN, CNN, CBS, and NBC. He was also a member of the Nyack Fire Department since age 16.
In his obituary, Taylor's wife, Lee-Ann Taylor, said he loved adventure and the thrill of danger.
In addition to his work as a video producer, he worked with Fireworks by Grucci, tr…
Jimmy Carter, Longest Living American President, Dies At Age 100
The longest living president in US history, Jimmy Carter, has died at the age of 100.
The death of the 39th chief executive was announced by the Carter Center.
He died Sunday afternoon, Dec. 29 at his residence in his lifelong hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he was born in October 1924.
James Earl Carter Jr., was the first ex-president to reach the age of 100.
Carter, then the Democratic governor of Georgia who had worked as a peanut farmer, defeated Gerald Ford in the 1976 race, the first presidential election after Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974 following the Watergate af…
Long Island Legend Charles Dolan, Founder Of HBO, Cablevision, Dies At 98
Charles Francis Dolan, a pioneer in the cable television industry and founder of HBO and Cablevision, died at 98.
Dolan died Thursday, Dec. 28, of natural causes.
Born Oct. 16, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, Dolan began his career producing and distributing sports and industrial films.
In the early 1960s, he founded Sterling Manhattan Cable, the first company to wire buildings for cable access in New York City. This led to exclusive deals with teams like the New York Knicks and Rangers.
In 1972, he launched HBO, the first premium cable channel, changing television by offering uncut movies and …
by
Daily Voice
'Perfect Son:' Family Mourns Loss Of 12-Year-Old Middletown Boy
Support is on the rise for Middletown parents mourning the loss of their 12-year-old son.
Maddox Leon Elizalde-Fuentes, died on Thursday, Dec. 19. A cause of death was not made public.
In a GoFundMe campaign organized by Ricky Elizalde, Maddox’s uncle, the family is reaching out for support to cover hospital bills and funeral expenses.
“Maddox, as we fondly call him, was Ela and Ram’s first-born son,” Ricky wrote, referring to Maddox’s parents, Maria Eloisa Elizalde (Ela) and Marko Fuentes (Ram).
“He was a perfect son, loving and responsible brother to his younger siblings Jules, Ma…
Retired Upper Saddle River Police Officer Craig Parrella Dies: 'The Guy You Could Count On'
Hearts broke across North Jersey on Christmas Eve as news spread of the passing of Craig Parrella, a retired Upper Saddle River Police officer and former United States Marine.
Parrella's wife, Lauren, shared the news of his passing in an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
"Craig was quite simply one of the best people I ever knew," she writes. I have loved him since I was 22 years old and will love him until my last breath. He was kind, thoughtful, sweet, funny, selfless, talented, loving, and so much more.
"Craig gave me a love and adoration that most people don’t find in their…
Beloved Putnam Doctor, Vietnam Veteran Dies: Remembered For Dedication To Patients, Family
The Hudson Valley is mourning the loss of a cherished physician and community leader, Dr. Jeffrey S. Carr, who died peacefully after a brief illness.
Carr, a Northern Westchester resident who called Somers home, died on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the age of 85, according to his obituary.
Born on Sept. 30, 1938, in Brooklyn to Edward and Minnie Carr, Carr was a proud Brooklyn native and lifelong Mets fan. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens College, where he participated in academic and extracurricular activities such as the Tau …
Sudden Death Of Monroe Orangetheory Trainer Spreads Shock, Sadness: Honoring Jeremy Whitehead
Jeremy Lee Whitehead, a highly respected Hudson Valley fitness trainer and Army veteran, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Dec. 14, in New Windsor, New York, according to his obituary on the Marra Funeral Home website. He was 36 years old.
Born in Lakeland, Florida, Jeremy served as an Army combat medic in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2013. Those values carried into his civilian life, where he became a dynamic personal trainer at Orangetheory Fitness in Monroe.
Beyond fitness, Jeremy was a proud member of the Knuckle Draggerz Veterans Club and 9-Line, communities where his love for camaraderie an…
Beloved Smithtown Dog Groomer, Fiancé Killed In Crash 'Were Most Selfless People'
Tributes are flooding in after a car crash claimed the lives of a beloved Long Island business owner and her fiancé.
Kaitlyn McCready, 36, of Smithtown and Luis Rivera, 41, of Hauppauge, were both killed in a wreck Thursday, Dec. 12, while returning to New York, according to her obituary. Additional details about the crash were not immediately available.
McCready owned Kate’s Hair of the Dog, a dog grooming business in Northport that also offered mobile grooming services. Her clients and friends described her as a beacon of warmth and compassion who made every pet and owner feel special.
“…
MLB Stolen Base, Runs Scored King Rickey Henderson, Ex-Yankee, Met, Dies At 65
Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball’s career steals and runs scored leader, widely considered to be one of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history, has died at age 65.
Henderson, who would have turned 66 on Christmas Day, died while hospitalized with pneumonia, according to multiple reports.
Persuaded by his mother to pursue baseball over football, Henderson began a 25-year career that saw him redefine speed and swagger in the sport.
Henderson debuted with the Oakland A’s in 1979, quickly capturing fans' hearts with his record-breaking stolen bases, powerful leadoff…
Clinton Driver Killed, Another Hospitalized In Westbrook Crash
A Connecticut man was killed and another person was hospitalized in a crash this week.
Michael Sutyla, 76, of Clinton, died on Wednesday, Dec. 18, in Westbrook Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 18, Connecticut State Police said.
Police believe Sutyla ran a stop sign at the intersection of Boston Post Road and Hammock Road, causing a crash with another car around 4 p.m.
Paramedics took Sutyla to Middlesex Shoreline Clinic, where he later died of his injuries. The passenger in another vehicle, who is from Louisa, Virginia, was taken to the same hospital with min…
Prominent Wayne Jazz Musician Danny Bacher Dies At 48
Danny Bacher, a renowned jazz musician and Cliffside Park resident, died at the age of 48, the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook announced. The cause was a heart attack, the Jazz Loft said.
A native of Wayne, Bacher was a singer, saxophonist, dancer and composer, who was also an author- having recently published a book about his collection of Laurel and Hardy merchandise, the Jazz Loft said.
A graduate of Wayne Hills High School, Bacher attended New Jersey City University, according to his Facebook. At the time of his death, he was working on a project about Harry Nilsson, the Jazz Loft said. …
Ramsey Mom, Oakland Educator Jennifer Paradiso Dies, 44: 'Always Saw The Best In People'
Support is on the rise for the family of Jennifer Paradiso, 44, a Bergen County wife, mother of three, and longtime educator, who died on Thursday, Dec. 12.
“Jenn was an incredible wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who always saw the best in people,” reads a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $22,800 as of press time.
Jenn battled cancer twice, once in 2015 and again in early 2023.
"Where most would have faltered or given up, she courageously continued her fight never once missing a beat," the campaign, launched by her family, continues.
Jenn was born and ra…
Albany CSX Employee, National Guardsman Matthew King Dies, 38: 'Loveyoubye'
Family and friends are remembering a 38-year-old Capital Region man who died earlier this month.
Senior Master Sgt Matthew H. King of Sand Lake in Rensselaer County died on Thursday, Dec. 5.
According to his obituary, he was born August 17, 1986, in Albany, to David and Denise King.
Matt attended Averill Park schools, graduating in 2005 surrounded by lifelong friends.
When he was 18, he joined the New York Air National Guard, building another family with the 109th Airlift Wing. He graduated from Schenectady Community College with a degree in firefighting and later became …
