May 19: Comings and Goings

Birthdays are a wonderful daily occurrence in our lives. It is rare to weave through one's day without becoming privy to an announcement or celebration of a birthday or two, whether they belong to family, friends, or other eminent figures. Remembering those who have passed each day is, perhaps, just as noteworthy an endeavor, for if their memories are kept alive, one might argue, so too are their spirits.

Here is a sampling of May 19 honorees:

Birthdays

Kevin Garnett - For many years, his considerable basketball skills were off center stage while toiling for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. Released from anonymity, he was traded to the Boston Celtics where he promptly teamed with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to earn the championship that motivated him. Born on this day in Greenville, South Carolina in 1976, Garnett's been named to an astounding twelve All-Star teams.

Pete Townshend - Born on this day in 1945 in Chiswick, England, Mr. Townshend has had an enormous impact on contemporary music as a singer, songwriter, composer and rock guitarist, principally for one of the most influential bands of the rock era, the Who. Townshend is the primary songwriter for the Who, writing well over one hundred songs for the band's eleven studio albums, including the rock operas "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia." He was also instrumental in developing their signature album, "Who's Next."

Deaths

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - The unforgettable moment that is so much a part of the Jackie Kennedy Onassis' legacy is tied to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the indelible memory of her climbing out of the limousine during the siege. She is largely lauded for her grace and dignity in the days, weeks, and months after the assassination. She was later married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis from 1968 until his death in 1975. In later years she had a successful career as a book editor. In January 1994, Mrs. Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and passed away on this day only four months later at the age of 64.

Tony Randall - He is perhaps best remembered for his role as the neat freak Felix Unger, playing opposite the irascible Oscar Madison, played by Jack Klugman, in television's "The Odd Couple." Many predicted failure for that sitcom, based on the star power of the feature film's cast which included Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, but Randall and Klugman carved out an enduring niche that lives on in our memories today. He was nominated for five Golden Globe awards and two Emmy Awards during his lengthy career which included much stage work, and frequent late night talk show appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, and "Late Night" with David Letterman. He passed away at the age of 84 in 2004.