Tony Bennett passed away this morning at the age of 96. He had a beautiful, warm and melodious voice. (I think he was always better than Sinatra). A beautiful singing voice is such a gift and singers like Bennett generously share that gift with us and even those like me who are tone deaf can be moved.
It is sad losing a legend like Bennett. I'm not sure why his passing is making me teary-eyed because he was never particularly important or influential in my life. But I did appreciate his talent and enjoy his recordings. We will have his legacy to enjoy for years to come. Thank you Tony.
I just learned that Astrud Gilberto, one of my favorite singers passed away at the age of 83 on June 5th, 2023. Her version of Corcovado is one I listen to often...it soothes my soul.
I am feeling like I've just heard that a best friend has passed away.
The books, Tales of the City, More Tales of the City, Further Tales of the City, etc. came into my life just as I was embracing and celebrating my gay identity in the eighties.
My first trip to San Francisco in 1984 or '85 for an AIDS Conference was one of the most exciting events that ever happened in any job I'd ever had. San Francisco, from the moment I left the airport, seemed like being home. But of course I had to return to Connecticut where reality consisted of holding a job, being self-sufficient and not dreaming too big, let alone even thinking of moving across the country.
But when the TV series, Tales of the City aired on PBS, it was like being transported to OZ. Back to San Francisco!
Very soon, it was like I knew all these amazing characters and knew them personally. They were a temporary but significant part of my early gay life. They all became acquaintances, and some, like Michael Tolliver and Mona and Mary Ann became like friends I'd known for years. They helped make my being gay a positive, life-affirming reality.
I was an invisible tenant at 28 Barbary Lane and secretly watched all the drama. I lived vicariously through all of them and their many misadventures, loves and intrigues.
Funny, I never even knew the actor Marcus D'Amico, never knew his name until now. But his character Michael Tolliver was sweet and shy and fun and cute and vulnerable and sincere and loving. The actor Marcus' passing is also the death of Michael (despite the title of one of Maupin's later books, Michael Tollive Lives.)
This has truly been a year of sadness.
If you have never seen the series (the original PBS and Showtime series 1994. 1998. 2001) treat yourself. It is available on Netflix and possibly some other platforms.
Here is Season 1, Episode 1.
Letter from Michael Tolliver to his Momma as read by the cast of the 2019 Tales of the City Netflix update: (Italian captions were not intentional on my part, it's the only version I could find)
For some reason I am thinking about my sister Mary Ann who passed away in 2015. December 21 is her birthday, first day of winter, winter solstice and always easy to remember because it's just before Christmas.
With Mom and Dad 1957
We were more than 8 years apart in age so there was a fairly large gap in our childhood experiences. And she left home to join the Sisters of Mercy when I was just 12. Anyhow a few photos in tribute to her.
With Mom back in the Middle Ages of Nuns
(left side) With the "Modern" Nuns at a Protest March
One of her Watercolors
In New Orleans with Leon and Me 1991
Having a Little Bubbly at Our Wedding 2014
Obit: Sister Mary Ann DeFrancesco
Sister Mary Ann DeFrancesco, (Dominica Marie) of the Sisters of
Mercy died unexpectedly on Monday,May 11, 2015 at her home in Madison.
Born in Hartford on December 21, 1939 of the late Dominic and Theresa
(Daversa) DeFrancesco and raised in New Britain, Sister “Dee” entered
the Sisters of Mercy on September 2, 1957 and professed her vows on June
26, 1960.
After receiving her B.A. degree from Diocesan Teachers
College, Madison, Sister taught for 16 years in several parish
elementary schools throughout the Hartford Archdiocese prior to
transitioning into the ministries of Retreat and Spiritual Direction.
She did advance studies at Holy Name College , CA and received Master’s
degrees in both English and Pastoral ministry from St. Joseph College
now University of St. Joseph in preparation. During her last two
decades in ministry Sister Dee became Spiritual Director at various
centers: Blessing Place in Louisiana, Francis House of Prayer New
Jersey, Emmaus Spiritual Life Center, Uncasville, and Mercy Center at
Madison.Before retirement she served as Pastoral Associate at Church of
the Holy Family, Hebron and ministered tirelessly in Pastoral Care for
Hospice in Southeastern CT.
In retirement, Sister Dee volunteered
countless hours of ministry to her Sisters in residence at St. Mary
Home.Known to all as “Dee”, Sister was of that same informal, welcoming,
comfortable and comforting disposition. Everyone who crossed Dee’s
path was greeted with kind and encouraging words, giving of herself
tirelessly in service to others. Love of Mercy Center and its environs,
naturally drew Dee outdoors, to work the garden soil, to harvest its
yield, to contemplate, to read and to practice her special gift,
painting with acrylics. She abounded in creative talent, was attentive
to both family and friends, planning funadventures, joyful ways to keep
them close.
Universally esteemed and loved by her sisters in Community
Dee will be sorely missed. Sister Mary Ann is survived by her brothers
Frank and husband Leon O’Hart, Michael and his wife Claire De Francesco ,
nephew Joseph, niece Andrea, several close cousins, and her community
of the Sisters of Mercy especially Sisters Mary Daly and Ann McGovern
with whom she lived.A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Monday
at 6:00p.m., St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave. West Hartford.
From Sister Agnes:
Sister "Dee" as she is affectionately known to me, was one of my best
friends. We lived and worked together at the Emmaus Spitirual Life
Center for nine years. I cherish the memories of her with great
affection. We cried together, laughed together, prayed together, and
played together. Very different in personalities, Dee was my social
planner. Being a stickler for work, I could count on her to plan an
outing or two so we could play.
Dee loved her sisters and her
congregation and was very loyal to them. Always interested in the
various programs of the Sisters of Mercy, she shared those with me with
great enthusiasm. She was close to her family and cared very much about
their well-being and happiness. Belonging to a French Congregation, ____, I shared our story with her as well. She
liked that I could speak French and always asked me how to say such and such
in French. She was a joy to live with, and I will miss her very much.
She left us too soon, but I know that she will watch over us from
above.
I've watched Jeopardy for years, not that I've learned much, but it was always fun to guess and more fun to know for certain.
Alex Trebek was the epitome of class and scholarship. And his stoic battle with cancer was a model of grace and bravery. He was a role model neither I, nor many others, could possibly live up to.
So, with that little eulogy having been given, I can say I was delighted to see this video clip making the rounds today.
