Singer songwriter JJ Cale has passed away

(From his personal website) JJ Cale passed away at 8:00 pm on Friday July 26 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. The legendary singer / songwriter had suffered a heart attack. There are no immediate plans for services. His history is well documented at JJCale.com, rosebudus.com/cale, and in the documentary, To Tulsa And Back. Donations are not needed but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, you can remember him with a donation to your favourite local animal shelter.>>>

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño's last round

SAN ROQUE / Sotogrande One of the country's most effective promoters of golf, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, died yesterday at a Torremolinos hospital. Aged 82, Don Jaime (as his many employees in Sotogrande referred to him), succumbed to an illness he had been fighting for some time. Ortiz-Patiño, born in Paris in 1930, was instrumental in the upward swing of golf tourism in Spain, which began after he brought the Ryder Cup to Sotogrande in 1997, the first time the bi-annual event between Europe and the USA took place on the Continent. The course he created and developed, Valderrama, has long been called the best on the Continent, and, aside from that hallmark Ryder Cup, it hosted 12 editions of the annual Volvo Masters tournament, as well as other major events including two World Championships. The great-grandson of Bolivian tin magnate Antenor Patiño, when he was 55 he bought a 50% interest in the old Las Aves golf course in Sotogrande and transformed it into Valderrama, which became one the world's best courses after he bought out out the other half, and with the help of course designer Robert Trent Jones and the enthusiasm and hard work of many people in the Guadiaro area. The Mayor of San Roque, Juan Xarlos Ruiz Boix has declared three days of official mourning.

Bayard Osborn, sculptor and painter (1923-2012)

GAUCÍN Internationally recognised as a sculptor and a painter, it is my privilege to have known Bayard Osborn as a man, a father to his children, a husband to his wife. He was an artist, indeed, and, like most artists, his art often came first. In my own mind, he was frenetic man, someone who wanted to get things done no matter what. One of my first memories of Andalucía is pelting down the hill from Jimena, where Bayard lived before Gaucín over 40 years ago, in an open car full of Pilar's gorgeous daughters, headed for the beach at Alcaidesa. His driving was, well, erratic but fun.

Maureen Aspinall

We regret to announce the passing of Maureen Aspinall, who died this afternoon in Jimena. A funeral ceremony is to be held tomorrow, Thursday May 12, at 10.30 am, at the Nuestra Señora de la Victoria Church in Jimena, followed by private burial at the cemetery. After that, all are welcome all for drinks at the house from 12.30 Maureen was a long time resident of Jimena, much loved by all, perhaps particularly by her many Yoga students. Our deepest condolences to her husband, Derrick, and all her family and friends.

Seve Ballesteros loses last round

Seve Ballesteros

From his own website, written by his wife: "Today, at 2.10 a.m. Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedreña.
The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 5th October 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz.
At this time the family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time. Thank you very much."
BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter said: "No golfer did more to popularise the game in Europe than Seve Ballesteros."
Peter Alliss BBC golf commentator: "He was a fighter - feisty, skilful, cheeky and loveable. When Seve was in a good mood the world was happy."

Katharine Howard

We deeply regret to announce that Katharine Howard died yesterday in Seville, after a short illness. It is understood at this time that her ashes will be brought back to Jimena later today and funeral arrangements will be announced. Our deepest sympathies to her family and friends, especially to her children Luis Miguel, Samara, Marta and Lucía. Katharine was a very long-time resident of the area and she will be missed. UPDATE: There will be a funeral Mass at the Santuario N.S. Los Angeles in Estacion on Wednesday, April 13, at 7pm.

Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)

Mark Lowsley-Williams was buried this morning

LOS BARRIOS Mark Lowsley-Williams died suddenly on Friday, aged 50, and was buried in a private ceremony this morning. He was a well-known businessman in the area and was about to take over the presidency of Guadacorte S.A. The son of Michael Lowsley-Williams and Lady Fiona Crichton-Stuart, Mark leaves a wife and children, Michael and Robert, to whom we offer our condolences. Guadacorte S.A. owns large tracts of land in that area and is a well-known developer of housing and commercial property.

Maggie Oram (? - 2011)

It is with great regret that we have to report the passing of our good friend Maggie, who died on Saturday morning in England, after fighting illness for some time. Maggie was a long time resident of Jimena and very much involved with the world of horses, with which she had a special kinship. We had a tough time choosing from the very few photos we had of her but decided that this one is an adequate illustration of her  participation in the life of Jimena (there's another one below but we're not sure how much she'd like it...) Our sincere condolences to her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her here, Spanish and English.

Daphne McNeill (1915-2011)

JIMENA - It is with great regret that we announce that Daphne McNeill passed away peacefully yesterday evening at 7pm. A long time resident of Jimena, Daphne Mac (to her friends) will be remembered for her wit and good cheer. Cremation takes place today at a private family ceremony and a celebration of her long life will take place at a time and place to be announced. Our deepest condolences to her family, who should know that a Spanish friend of hers said this morning, "Daphne is one of those people who will leave her mark. She will be sorely missed."

Gibraltar mourns Bishop Devlin, 'the Irish Gibraltarian'

GIBRALTAR (Text & Image: GibChronicle) Bishop Emeritus Bernard Devlin died yesterday at the age of 89, at 6.15am, in the Clergy House at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned. His body was taken to St Theresa’s Church at 12 noon by Monsignors Paul Bear and Charlie Azzopardi and other Clergy, escorted by two police riders. The body will now lie in state at St Theresa’s today and until tomorrow. From there it will be taken to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned where the funeral Mass will take place at 5pm. He will be buried in the crypt at the Cathedral. (See the full article on The Gibraltar Chronicle)

Sir Norman Wisdom (1915 - 2010) - he can still make us laugh!

Just a little tribute to Sir Norman Wisdom, who died last Monday. He gave at least two generations a lot of belly laughs, without resorting to bad language or innuendo. See Part 2 of Norman's This is Your Life, and Part 3, this being Part 1. Anyone remember Eamonn Andrews? And look at all those comedy stars lining up to pay tribute to a comedian who has been considered second only to Charlie Chaplin...

Bishop Caruana died this morning

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) Today Gibraltar mourns the passing of former Bishop of Gibraltar Charles Caruana who has died at the age of 77. He passed away this morning (Friday) around 6am and his body is expected to lie in state Monday and Tuesday before a funeral mid-week. In and out of St Bernard’s Hospital, he had been poorly for a number of months but his health is believed to have deteriorated rapidly following a fall in the middle of last week. Since last Friday special prayers have been said at all Masses in all the Churches on the Rock and in the Synagogues where on Sunday evening there was a special blessing in the Line Wall Synagogue. His death comes at a time when the Diocese in Gibraltar prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary next month and just a few days before his 78th birthday (9th Oct). He was at the forefront of all major events in the Catholic Church and undoubtedly one of its most prominent figures over the past five decades not just in the church but in Gibraltar. Very much a man of the people he devoted his entire life to the community of Gibraltar. (Our deepest sympathies to the Bishop's family and friends.)

Tony Curtis (1925 - 2010)

Born Bernie Schwartz in the Bronx, the son of a poor Jewish family, Tony Curtis became one of Hollywood's top stars. He died last night of a heart attack, aged 85. In this interview on GMTV in 2009, Hollywood's living legend joins Andrew and Emma on the sofa to share secrets of the golden era featuring Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. Just a little tribute from someone who remembers him well on screen, as an actor, not just a comedian in such films as Spartacus (with Kirk Douglas), Boeing Boeing (with Jerry Lewis), Some like it Hot (with Marilyn Monroe), The Boston Strangler (with Henry Fonda) - it's a list of 155 films. Thank you for the memories, Mr. Curtis. (See more on NME)

José María Macías (1951 - 2010)

JIMENA
We regret to announce the sudden death of José María Macías (photo: TioJimeno), who passed away early this morning. He is being mourned at the Tanatorio in San Pablo, where a Mass will be said at 6pm, followed by cremation. José María, nicknamed 'El Pichocho', was the builders' merchant in Estación and a well known Flamenco aficionado, as well as an enthusiast about anything to do with Andalucía. He was a close neighbour of Prospero's on Calle Romo. Our deepest sympathies to his family, particularly to his wife and three children, and brother Andrés.

Cindy Bury (1943 - 2010)

JIMENA
It is with regret that we have to announce the passing of Cindy Bury on Friday. Cindy was a long time resident and social stalwart of Jimena, and well beyond, as well as always being of help to newcomers to the village. Our condolences to her daughters, family and friends. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Following cremation at a private ceremony, we are to gather at her house, Consuelo 28, in Jimena, at 4pm on Wednesday next, June 9th, for a celebration of her life.