Wow. 2016 was quite the year for celebrity deaths. This is not an exhaustive list, but a few notables that made an impact on me during my youthful years:
David Bowie, Glen Frey, Nancy Reagan, Garry Shandling, Prince, Gordie Howe, Garry Marshall, Kenny Baker, Gene Wilder, Arnold Palmer, Florence Henderson, John Glenn, Alan Thicke, Zsa Zsa Gabor, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
As a child and teenager, I remember times when a celebrity from my parent’s generation would pass away. They would be surprised and saddened. As more and more celebrities passed, it became more evident that we’re all getting older and would witness more of the inevitable. Death is always sobering and can make one introspective. And every year a few more icons of bygone eras pass away. Sometimes, unnoticed.
Last year in 2016, we children of the 80’s lost so many of our own childhood icons. More than in previous years. Several musical celebrities, actors, politicians and sports stars passed away. One of my favorite Christmas songs, “Last Christmas” was by WHAM! So on Christmas Day when I heard that George Michael passed it really hit home. My childhood is slowly passing away. I am at that point in life where I remember my parents were when they started losing many of their pop culture icons. There will only be more sad days in 2017 when a few more icons of my youth will pass away and will take more of my childhood with them.
