2013 The year in review

Time to say goodbye to 2013.

President Obama's second inauguration ceremony

A year of a Royal Baby, Civil War in Syria, the Horse-meat scandal, The Boston Marathon Bombings, Lance Armstrong coming clean, a new Pope, Ed Snowden, The Gathering, Lee Rigby, Obamacare, Costa Concordia, the iPhone 5S, The Washington Navy Yard, The U.S Government Shut-down, Chris Hadfield, Miley's Twerking, Typhoon Haiyan and "Whopper"'s first star.

As always we must acknowledge those we lost in 2013, especially;

The American novelist Tom Clancy [66]. 

Colm Murray [61] Irish sports journalist and broadcaster. 

Ray Harryhausen [92] American stop-motion animator famous for Clash of the Titans

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher [87] Prime Minister of Great Britain (1979–1990)

American film critic Roger Ebert [70]

Wojciech Kilar [81] the Polish composer of the score to Bram Stoker's Dracula and The Pianist. 

American actors Paul Walker [40], James Gandolfini [51] and Dennis Farina [69]

Irish actor Milo O'Shea [86] and British actor Richard Griffiths [65],

and British-Irish actor Peter O'Toole [81].

We also acknowledge the passing of the following individuals who made the history books:

Milton Olin, Jr. [65], American businessman, Chief Operating Officer of Napster (2000–2002),
Mikhail Kalashnikov [94], Russian weapons designer (AK-47, AK-74),

Kadir Nurman [80], Turkish-born German restaurateur, inventor of doner kebab,
Doug Engelbart [88], Inventor of the computer mouse

Ray Dolby [80], American audio engineer and inventor (Dolby NR, surround sound),

Seamus Heaney [74], Irish poet, laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature (1995),

Itaru Ishida [33] Japanese Magic: The Gathering player. Level 48 Planeswalker & Japan's 1st Pro player.
William C. Lowe [72], Former IBM executive credited with helping to bring personal computers to the masses.

We mourn the loss of the following members of the entertainment industry:

James Avery [68], American actor, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (Uncle Phil) / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (voice of Shredder)

Joseph Ruskin [89], American actor, Star Trek ("The Gamesters of Triskelion") / Deep Space Nine / Voyager / Enterprise

Marty Hornstein [76], American film producer, Star Trek VI / Insurrection / First Contact / Nemesis

Lewis Collins

Lewis Collins [67], British actor, The Professionals / Who Dares Wins

Marcia Wallace [70], American actress, The Simpsons (voice Edna Krabappel)

Ed Lauter [74], American actor, Star Trek: The Next Generation ("The First Duty")

Lou Scheimer [84], American television producer, He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, co-founder of Filmation

Otto Sander [72], German actor, Das Boot (Kapitänleutnant Philipp Thomsen)

Ann C. Crispin [63] American science fiction author, Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy / Star Trek: Sarek

Lee Thompson Young [29], American actor, FlashForward

Michael Ansara [91] Syrian-born American actor, Star Trek / Star Trek: DS9 (Kang)

Joe Conley [85], American actor, The Waltons (Ike Godsey)

Mario Machado [78], American news anchor and actor RoboCop (Casey Wong)

Michael France [51], American screenwriter, GoldenEye / The Punisher

Richard LeParmentier [66], American actor, Star Wars (Admiral Motti)

Quinton Hoover [49], American artist and trading card illustrator, Magic: The Gathering

Michael Gray [77] American director, screenwriter, writer/producer for Star Trek: The Next Generation

Jane Henson [78], American puppeteer, co-founder of The Muppets

Malachi Throne

Malachi Throne [84], American actor Star Trek "The Menagerie" (Commodore Mendez) / Star Trek The Next Generation (Senator Pardek)

Derek Watkins [68], British trumpeter, played on every James Bond soundtrack Dr. No to Skyfall

Peter Duryea [73], American actor, Star Trek "The Cage"/ "The Menagerie" (Lieutenant Jose Tyler)

Jim Mees [57], American Emmy-winning set designer, Star Trek: The Next GenerationStuart Freeborn [98], English make-up artist, Star Wars

Michael Winner [77], British film director, Death Wish

Leslie Frankenheimer [64], American set decorator, Star Trek: Voyager

and we thank them for their talents.

We also acknowledge the passing of those who dedicated themselves to military, science and public service:

Cpl. Rodolfo Perez "Rudy" Hernandez, U.S. Army [82], Medal of Honor recipient, Korean War

Sir Christopher Curwen [84], British Head of the Secret Intelligence Service (1985–1989)

Nelson Mandela [95], South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, President (1994−1999)

BGen Margaret A. Brewer, USMC (retired) [82], First female USMC General Officer

Sgt. John Druse "Bud" Hawk, U.S. Army [89], Medal of Honor recipient, World War II

Denis Foley [79], Irish Fianna Fáil politician, TD ('81−'89, '92−'02), Senator ('89−'92).

Noel Davern [67], Irish Fianna Fáil politician, Minister for Education ('91−'92).

MSgt. Nicholas Oresko U.S. Army [96] Medal of Honor recipient, World War II

Cmdr. Scott Carpenter USN Ret. [88], test pilot, astronaut and aquanaut, 4th American in space

Maj. Martin Drewes [94], German military pilot, World War II flying ace [52 victories]

Michael J. Noonan [78], Irish Fianna Fáil politician, Minister for Defence (1987–1989)

Wg Cdr Kenneth Horatio Wallis DSO MBE CEng FRAeS PhD RAF [97], 28 bomber missions over Germany, Autogyro Stunt Pilot James Bond: You Only Live Twice

Adm Sir John Forster Woodward

Adm Sir John Forster "Sandy" Woodward GBE, KCB [81], Royal Naval Commander, Falklands War Task Force

William P. Clark, Jr. [81], U.S. National Security Advisor (1982–1983),

Gen. David C. Jones USAF Ret. [92], Chief of Staff of the Air Force (1974–1978), CJCOS (1978–1982)

Col. Bud Day, USAF Ret.[88], POW, Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam

Oberstleutnant Otto Schultz [93], German Luftwaffe ace, [73 aerial victories]

Thomas G. Clines [84], American CIA agent [Iran-Contra]

Adm. Frank Kelso, USN Ret. [79], American naval officer, CNO (1990–1994)

Col. Jack Hawkins USMC Ret. [96], aka "John Haskins", Battle of Bataan, POW, Military Commander Bay of Pigs Invasion

TSgt Vernon McGarity U.S. Army [91], Medal of Honor recipient at the Battle of the Bulge

Marshal of the Soviet Union Viktor Kulikov [91], Warsaw Pact CinC (1977–1989).

Maj. Tom Griffin USAAF [96], American aviator, member of the Doolittle Raid

Flt Lt Sir Alan Smith, CBE, DFC [95], British World War II Spitfire fighter ace

Wg Cdr Peter Olver, DFC [95], British World War II Royal Air Force Supermarine Spitfire ace, Battle of Britain

CPO Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle [38], Navy SEAL sniper, [160 confirmed kills]

we thank them for their service.

May they all rest in peace.

And now we embrace the future of 2014!

Happy New Year