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Entertainment & Arts

Chicagoland 2015 notable deaths

Katherine "Kit" Duffy, who was named as Chicago's first liaison to the gay and lesbian community by Mayor Harold Washington in 1984, died Dec. 22 of complications after heart surgery at 71. Duffy was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame for her work. Read the obituary

Katherine “Kit” Duffy, who was named as Chicago’s first liaison to the gay and lesbian community by Mayor Harold Washington in 1984, died Dec. 22 of complications after heart surgery at 71. Duffy was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame for her work. Read the obituary  (Jerry Tomaselli / Chicago Tribune)

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Photo gallery: Chicago-area newsmakers and celebrities who died in 2015.

Timothy Jones, an innovative hip-hop DJ and radio personality known as Timbuck2, died Saturday of complications from kidney cancer, his family said. He was 34. Read the obituary.

Timothy Jones, an innovative hip-hop DJ and radio personality known as Timbuck2, died Saturday of complications from kidney cancer, his family said. He was 34. Read the obituary.  (Shea Walsh / AP)

Bishop Joseph Imesch, left, whose 27-year tenure over the Joliet Diocese was tarnished by his actions in connection with the Catholic Church's priest sex-abuse scandal, died Dec. 22 at age 84. Read the obituary

Bishop Joseph Imesch, left, whose 27-year tenure over the Joliet Diocese was tarnished by his actions in connection with the Catholic Church’s priest sex-abuse scandal, died Dec. 22 at age 84. Read the obituary  (John Smierciak / Chicago Tribune)

Morris Barazani, a Chicago artist for 60 years, was an abstract painter who taught for many years at the University of Illinois at Chicago and founded DePaul University's art department. Barazani died Nov. 28 of complications from myasthenia gravis in Steuben, Wis., at 91. Read the obituary

Morris Barazani, a Chicago artist for 60 years, was an abstract painter who taught for many years at the University of Illinois at Chicago and founded DePaul University’s art department. Barazani died Nov. 28 of complications from myasthenia gravis in Steuben, Wis., at 91. Read the obituary  (Corbett vs. Dempsey / Handout)

Legendary Chicago pitmaster James Barry Lemons, the owner/operator of the hickory-smoked rib tip and hot links institution, Lem’s Bar-B-Q House at 311 East 75th St., died on Dec. 13 at 87. Read the obituary

Legendary Chicago pitmaster James Barry Lemons, the owner/operator of the hickory-smoked rib tip and hot links institution, Lem’s Bar-B-Q House at 311 East 75th St., died on Dec. 13 at 87. Read the obituary  (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

Paul Bachman performed throughout the country under his stage name, "Mr. B, the Prince of Jugglers," and appeared more than 60 times on "Bozo's Circus." Bachman died of complications related to cancer on Oct. 11 in his Orland Park home at 80. Read the obituary.

Paul Bachman performed throughout the country under his stage name, “Mr. B, the Prince of Jugglers,” and appeared more than 60 times on “Bozo’s Circus.” Bachman died of complications related to cancer on Oct. 11 in his Orland Park home at 80. Read the obituary.  (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Gus Savage speaks at the opening of his campaign for alderman of the 2nd ward headquarters on July 17, 1972. He died Oct. 31, 2015, a day after his 90th birthday.

Gus Savage speaks at the opening of his campaign for alderman of the 2nd ward headquarters on July 17, 1972. He died Oct. 31, 2015, a day after his 90th birthday.  (Ovie Carter / Chicago Tribune)

Elizabeth Hollander, the first woman to serve as commissioner of planning for the city of Chicago, died on Oct. 14 of cancer at her home in Rhode Island at 75.

Elizabeth Hollander, the first woman to serve as commissioner of planning for the city of Chicago, died on Oct. 14 of cancer at her home in Rhode Island at 75.  (Karen Engstrom / Chicago Tribune)

Bill Stanley, a Field Museum scientist, died of a heart attack while doing research in Ethiopia, the museum announced on Oct. 6. He was 58. Read the obituary

Bill Stanley, a Field Museum scientist, died of a heart attack while doing research in Ethiopia, the museum announced on Oct. 6. He was 58. Read the obituary  (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

State Rep. Esther Golar, left, shown Sept. 14, 2013, with John Bradley and Mildred M.G. Olivier in Chicago. Golar was known for fighting for the disadvantaged and for singing on the House floor. She died Sept. 21 at 71. Read the obituary.

State Rep. Esther Golar, left, shown Sept. 14, 2013, with John Bradley and Mildred M.G. Olivier in Chicago. Golar was known for fighting for the disadvantaged and for singing on the House floor. She died Sept. 21 at 71. Read the obituary.  (Adam Wolffbrandt / Chicago Tribune)

Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who broadcasted Cubs and White Sox games and was the longtime play-by-play radio voice of the Astros, died Sept. 17, 2015, in Houston at 88. Read the obituary.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who broadcasted Cubs and White Sox games and was the longtime play-by-play radio voice of the Astros, died Sept. 17, 2015, in Houston at 88. Read the obituary.  (David J. Phillip / AP)

The Rev. Lincoln Scott stands in 2013 at the front of the House of Prayer Church of God in Christ in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Scott resurrected the historic Central Park Theatre and turned it into the church. Scott died on Aug. 28 in his South Austin home at 82. Read the obituary.

The Rev. Lincoln Scott stands in 2013 at the front of the House of Prayer Church of God in Christ in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Scott resurrected the historic Central Park Theatre and turned it into the church. Scott died on Aug. 28 in his South Austin home at 82. Read the obituary.  (Heather Charles / Chicago Tribune)

Tribune Co. CEO Stanton Cook, left, and Editor Clayton Kirkpatrick speak at an April 30, 1974, news conference on the Tribune's publication of Oval Office transcripts in the Watergate scandal. Cook, who was the newspaper's publisher, later backed an editorial that called for President Richard Nixon to resign. Cook died Sept. 3, 2015; he was 90.

Tribune Co. CEO Stanton Cook, left, and Editor Clayton Kirkpatrick speak at an April 30, 1974, news conference on the Tribune’s publication of Oval Office transcripts in the Watergate scandal. Cook, who was the newspaper’s publisher, later backed an editorial that called for President Richard Nixon to resign. Cook died Sept. 3, 2015; he was 90.  (William Kelly / Chicago Tribune)

James P. Lynam Jr., a longtime radio personality in Chicago and co-owner of the All American Wrestling League, died on Aug. 4 of a sudden aortic dissection at 42. Lynam played the bombastic "Jim Jesus" on "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" and most recently was afternoon host at WFXF-FM in the northwest suburbs. Read the obituary

James P. Lynam Jr., a longtime radio personality in Chicago and co-owner of the All American Wrestling League, died on Aug. 4 of a sudden aortic dissection at 42. Lynam played the bombastic “Jim Jesus” on “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse” and most recently was afternoon host at WFXF-FM in the northwest suburbs. Read the obituary  (WFXF-FM / Handout)

Veteran television weatherman Harry Volkman died on Aug. 20, 2015, at the age of 89. Viewers will often remember Harry Volkman's nightly boutonniere — a flower from students he visited that day.

Veteran television weatherman Harry Volkman died on Aug. 20, 2015, at the age of 89. Viewers will often remember Harry Volkman’s nightly boutonniere — a flower from students he visited that day.  (Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune)

Richard Welton, shown in 1983, played a key role in the opening of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Welton, who served as mayor of Gurnee from 1973 to 2001, died July 31 at 72. Read the obituary.

Richard Welton, shown in 1983, played a key role in the opening of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Welton, who served as mayor of Gurnee from 1973 to 2001, died July 31 at 72. Read the obituary.  (John Dziekan / Chicago Tribune)

Chef Yoshi Katsumura, whose 33-year-old restaurant, Yoshi's Cafe, was one of the most important restaurants in Lakeview, passed away Aug. 2, 2015 at age 65, following a long battle with cancer.

Chef Yoshi Katsumura, whose 33-year-old restaurant, Yoshi’s Cafe, was one of the most important restaurants in Lakeview, passed away Aug. 2, 2015 at age 65, following a long battle with cancer.  (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

"Bumblebee Bob" Novak, an artist and bluesman whose style was showcased in a 1989 poster for the Chicago Blues Festival, died July 13 at 83. Above, Novak poses with one of his paintings in June 1991 in a Chicago art gallery. Read the obituary

“Bumblebee Bob” Novak, an artist and bluesman whose style was showcased in a 1989 poster for the Chicago Blues Festival, died July 13 at 83. Above, Novak poses with one of his paintings in June 1991 in a Chicago art gallery. Read the obituary  (John Zich / AP)

Vito Buffalo in 1979. He was a popular Chicago bandleader for weddings and other events who by day ran a butcher shop in Algonquin. He died June 21, 2015, at age 83.

Vito Buffalo in 1979. He was a popular Chicago bandleader for weddings and other events who by day ran a butcher shop in Algonquin. He died June 21, 2015, at age 83.  (Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune)

Jerry Roper, the former president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, died on June 28 of prostate cancer at 74. He served as the chamber's president and chief exectutive from 1993 to 2013. Read the obituary

Jerry Roper, the former president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, died on June 28 of prostate cancer at 74. He served as the chamber’s president and chief exectutive from 1993 to 2013. Read the obituary  (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

PJ Paparelli, 40, the artistic director of American Theater Company in Chicago died May 21 while on vacation in Scotland, after a car accident earlier in the week.

PJ Paparelli, 40, the artistic director of American Theater Company in Chicago died May 21 while on vacation in Scotland, after a car accident earlier in the week.  (Anthony Robert La Penna / Chicago Tribune)

Cancer patient Emily Beazley died May 18, 2015. The 12-year-old Mount Greenwood native battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma for four years; she had thousands of supporters who make up Emily's Entourage.

Cancer patient Emily Beazley died May 18, 2015. The 12-year-old Mount Greenwood native battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma for four years; she had thousands of supporters who make up Emily’s Entourage.  (Brian Jackson / Daily Southtown)

Joan Barr Smith, who served as Evanston's first female mayor, died on March 21, after a long battle with leukemia, city officials announced. She was 75. Smith served on the Evanston City Council from 1977 to 1985 before being elected mayor, a job she held for two terms.

Joan Barr Smith, who served as Evanston’s first female mayor, died on March 21, after a long battle with leukemia, city officials announced. She was 75. Smith served on the Evanston City Council from 1977 to 1985 before being elected mayor, a job she held for two terms.  (Quentin C. Dodt / Chicago Tribune)

The Rev. Willie T. Barrow, the longtime civil rights leader known as "The Little Warrior" who marched at Selma and helped found the organization that became the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, died March 12 after a long illness. She was 90. Read the obituary.

The Rev. Willie T. Barrow, the longtime civil rights leader known as “The Little Warrior” who marched at Selma and helped found the organization that became the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, died March 12 after a long illness. She was 90. Read the obituary.  (Michael Fryer / Chicago Tribune)

Cardinal Edward Egan, the former archbishop of New York, died on March 5, 2015, of cardiac arrest. The Oak Park native was 82.

Cardinal Edward Egan, the former archbishop of New York, died on March 5, 2015, of cardiac arrest. The Oak Park native was 82.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso died in Chicago on March 1, 2015, according to his family. He was 90. Here he is at U.S. Cellular Field, on April 6, 2011.

Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso died in Chicago on March 1, 2015, according to his family. He was 90. Here he is at U.S. Cellular Field, on April 6, 2011.  (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune)

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