Deaths in May 2017

The following is a list of notable deaths in May 2017. For notable deaths before the current month, please see "Previous months". Names under each date are reported in alphabetical order by last name or pseudonym. Deaths of non-humans are reported here also if notable.
Each listing of a death must have a source. If no reference is included, the death notice will be removed. The following are the requirements of adding a name to the list in its order: name, age, nationality, what the person is known for, cause of death (if known) and most importantly a source.
May
1
Yisrael Friedman, 94, Israeli rabbi and educator. (death announced on this date)
Bruce Hampton, 70, American musician (Hampton Grease Band, Col. Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit) and actor (Sling Blade), heart attack.
Erkki Kurenniemi, 75, Finnish musician and designer.
Mike Lowry, 78, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 7th congressional district (1979-1989) and Governor of Washington (1993-1997), complications from a stroke.
Sam Mele, 95, American baseball player (Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox) and manager (Minnesota Twins).
Karel Schoeman, 77, South African novelist (Promised Land) and translator, suicide by starvation.
Mohamed Talbi, 95, Tunisian historian, President of the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts (2011-2012), respiratory failure.
2
Harold Bedoya Pizarro, 78, Colombian military commander and politician, Commander of the National Army of Colombia (1994-1996), lymphoma.
Abelardo Castillo, 82, Argentine author and essayist, pneumonia.
Kevin Garcia, 41, American bassist (Grandaddy), stroke.
Roy Gater, 76, English footballer (Port Vale, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Crewe Alexandra).
Heinz Kessler, 97, German politician and military officer, East German Minister of National Defence (1985-1989).
George Hugh Niederauer, 80, American Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Salt Lake City (1994-2005) and Archbishop of San Francisco (2006-2012), lung cancer.
Leo K. Thorsness, 85, American air force officer and Medal of Honor recipient, member of the Washington Senate (1988-1992), leukemia.
Moray Watson, 88, British actor (The Darling Buds of May, The Quatermass Experiment, Compact), pneumonia.
3
Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 90, Saudi prince and politician, Minister of Defense (1951-1953), Governor of Makkah Province (1963-1971), Chairman of the Allegiance Council (since 2007).
Lukas Ammann, 104, Swiss actor (Graf Yoster, Die Fallers - Eine Schwarzwaldfamilie, Meschugge), complications from surgery.
Daliah Lavi, 74, Israeli actress, singer, and model (The Spy with a Cold Nose, Casino Royale, Catlow).
C'el Revuelta, American bassist (Black Flag), brain cancer.
Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji, 31, Somali politician, Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction (since 2017), shot.
Yumeji Tsukioka, 95, Japanese actress (The Temptress and the Monk), pneumonia.
4
William Baumol, 95, American economist (Precursors in mathematical economics), Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1971).
Bart Carlier, 87, Dutch footballer (AS Monaco, national team, Fortuna '54).
C. Jackson Grayson, 93, American businessman and writer, Chairman of the Price Commission (1971-1973).
Victor Lanoux, 80, French actor (Cousin Cousine), complications from a stroke.
Timo Makinen, 79, Finnish racing driver, Monte Carlo Rally (1973) and 1000 Lakes Rally (1973), myelodysplastic syndrome.
Edwin Sherin, 87, American-Canadian television director and producer (Law & Order) and stage director (The Great White Hope).
R. Lee Wrights, 58, American politician, activist and political consultant, Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee (2012-2014), multiple organ failure complicated by cardiac arrest.
5
Buhe, 91, Chinese politician, Chairman of Inner Mongolia (1982-1993).
Benny Elon, 62, Israeli politician, Ministry of Tourism (2001-2002; 2003-2004) and member of Knesset (1999-2009), complications from throat cancer.
Corinne Erhel, 50, French politician, member of the National Assembly (since 2007), heart attack.
Amancio Escapa Aparicio, 79, Spanish-born Dominican Republic Roman Catholic prelate, Auxiliary Bishop of Santo Domingo (1996-2016).
Almir Guineto, 70, Brazilian singer-songwriter and sambista, complications from chronic kidney disease and diabetes.
Adolph Kiefer, 98, American swimmer, Olympic champion (1936).
Leila Seth, 86, Indian judge, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court (1991-1992), cardio-respiratory arrest.
Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, 64, Mauritanian politician, President (2005-2007), heart attack.
6
Steven Holcomb, 37, American bobsledder, Olympic champion (2010), suspected pulmonary edema.
Val Jellay, 89, Australian actress (The Flying Doctors, Prisoner, Homicide), pneumonia.
Rais Khan, 77, Pakistani sitarist.
Marshall Julum Shakya, 76, Nepalese politician, President of the Kathmandu District (since 1988), septic shock complicated by heart failure and pneumonia.
Min Bahadur Sherchan, 85, Nepalese mountaineer, suspected heart attack.
7
Gran Apache, 58, Mexican professional wrestler (AAA), colorectal cancer.
Yoshimitsu Banno, 86, Japanese movie director (Godzilla vs. Hedorah) and screenwriter (The Wizard of Oz, Techno Police 21C), complications from a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Elon Lages Lima, 87, Brazilian mathematician.
Beppo Mauhart, 83, Austrian football executive and journalist, President of the Austrian Football Association (1984-2002), complications from a stroke.
Gholamreza Pahlavi, 93, Persian prince and writer (Mon pere, mon frere, les Shahs d'Iran), complications from pneumonia.
Lee Weissenborn, 88, American politician, member of the Florida House of Representatives (1963-1966) and Senate (1967-1971), complications from a stroke.
Wu Wenjun, 97, Chinese mathematician and academician.
8
Cecile DeWitt-Morette, 94, French mathematician and physicist.
Stefania Jablonska, 96, Polish cancer researcher, member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (since 1986).
Curt Lowens, 91, German-born American actor (Werewolf in a Girls' Dormitory, The Hindenburg, Angels & Demons) and Holocaust survivor.
Allan H. Meltzer, 89, American economist, President of the Mont Pelerin Society (2012-2014).
Lou Richards, 94, Australian footballer (Collingwood), complications from dementia.
Lawson Soulsby, Baron Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, 90, British microbiologist and life peer, member of the House of Lords (1990-2015).
Nicolas Stacey, 89, English clergyman, Director of Social Services for Kent County Council (1974-1985).
Juan Carlos Tedesco, 73, Argentine politician, Minister of Education (2007-2009).
Mary Tsoni, 30, Greek actress (Evil, Dogtooth, Evil: In the Times of Heroes) and singer (Mary and The Boy).
9
Christopher Boykin, 45, American entertainer and musician (Rob & Big), heart failure.
Zoran Madzirov, 49, Macedonian percussionist (Les Barons Karamazoff), inventor of Bottleman, heart attack.
Robert Miles, 47, Italian electronic dance musician and record producer ("Children"), pancreatic cancer.
Arthur Moulin, 92, French politician, member of the National Assembly (1958-1973), member of the Senate (1983-1992), and Mayor of Avesnes (1971-1989).
Michael Parks, 77, American actor (Twin Peaks, From Dusk Till Dawn, Kill Bill).
Qian Qichen, 89, Chinese diplomat, Foreign Minister (1988-1998) and Vice Premier (1993-2003).
Wilburn K. Ross, 94, American WWII veteran, Medal of Honor recipient.
Edward Lunn Young, 96, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th congressional district (1973-1975).
10
Silvano Basagni, 78, Italian sport shooter, Olympic bronze medalist (1972), multiple myeloma.
Geoffrey Bayldon, 93, English actor (Catweazle, Worzel Gummidge, Dracula).
Emmanuele Bernheim, 61, French author (Sa femme) and screenwriter (Swimming Pool, 5x2), lung cancer.
Greg Forristall, 67, American politician, member of the Iowa House of Representatives (since 2007), cancer.
Ted Hibberd, 91, Canadian ice hockey player (national team), Olympic gold medalist (1948).
Nelson Xavier, 75, Brazilian actor (Os Fuzis, Girl from Rio, Trash) and director (A Queda), lung disease.
11
Gabriel Chiramel, 102, Indian Roman Catholic priest, educationist, zoologist and author, multiple organ failure.
Mark Colvin, 65, British-born Australian journalist and radio presenter (PM), lung cancer.
Clelio Darida, 90, Italian politician, Mayor of Rome (1969-1976) and Minister of Justice (1981-1983).
12
Antonio Candido, 98, Brazilian literary critic and sociologist, complications from a hiatus hernia.
Mauno Koivisto, 93, Finnish politician, President (1982-1994) and Prime Minister (1968-1970; 1979-1982), complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Yale Lary, 86, American football player (Detroit Lions), businessman and politician, member of the Texas House of Representatives (1959-1963).
Henri Termeer, 71, Dutch-born American biotechnology executive (Genzyme), aneurysm.
Yu So-chow, 86, Chinese actress (The Flying Fox), pneumonia.
Amotz Zahavi, 89, Israeli evolutionary biologist.
13
John Cygan, 63, American actor and voice actor (The Commish, Metal Gear Solid, Toy Story 3), cancer.
Yanko Daucik, 76, Czech footballer (Real Betis, Real Madrid, Espanyol), pulmonary embolism.
Alain Defosse, 60, French novelist (Les fourmis d'Anvers) and translator (Crazy Cock, American Psycho, The Night Watch), lung cancer.
Marcel Pelletier, 86, Canadian ice hockey player (Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers) and scout (Boston Bruins), respiratory failure.
14
Dilbagh Singh Athwal, 88, Indian geneticist and agriculturist, complications from liver failure.
Tom McClung, 60, American jazz pianist and composer, lymphoma.
Keith Mitchell, American drummer (Mazzy Star).
Powers Boothe, 68, American actor (Tombstone, Deadwood, Red Dawn), Emmy winner (1980), cardiopulmonary arrest complicated by pancreatic cancer.
Frank Brian, 94, American basketball player (Fort Wayne Pistons), complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Jean Fritz, 101, American children's writer and historian.
Brad Grey, 59, American producer (The Departed, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Real Time with Bill Maher), chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures (since 2005), cancer.
Bruce Hill, 67, American racing driver (NASCAR), complications from esophageal cancer.
15
Karl-Otto Apel, 95, German philosopher (Understanding and Explanation: A Transcendental-Pragmatic Perspective, Theory of Communicative Action), member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (since 1993).
Ian Brady, 79, English serial killer (Moors murders), complications from COPD.
Javier Valdez Cardenas, 50, Mexican journalist (Riodoce, La Jornada), shot.
Chu Ke-liang, 70, Taiwanese actor (The New Legend of Shaolin, David Loman, The Wonderful Wedding) and comedian, liver failure complicated by colorectal cancer.
Nasser Givehchi, 85, Iranian wrestler, Olympic silver medalist (1952).
Thomas James Kinsman, 72, American soldier, awarded Medal of Honor.
Bob Kuzava, 93, American baseball player (New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators).
Neil Rolde, 85, American historian and politician, member of the Maine House of Representatives (1974-1990).
Oleg Vidov, 73, Russian-American actor (Red Heat, Wild Orchid, The Immortals), complications from pancreatic cancer.
16
Bernard Bosson, 69, French politician, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (1986-1988), Minister of Transport, Tourism, and Public Works (1993-1995), Mayor of Annecy (1983-2007), and member of the National Assembly (1995-2007).
Gunnar Moller, 88, German actor (Our Miss Doctor, I Often Think of Piroschka, Oktoberfest), complications from dementia.
Outi Ojala, 70, Finnish politician, member of the Parliament of Finland (1991-1996; 1999-2007) and member of the European Parliament (1996-1999).
Doug Somers, 65, American professional wrestler (AWA).
17
Roxcy Bolton, 90, American women's and civil rights activist and feminist, founder of Women in Distress, cardiac arrest.
Chris Cornell, 52, American musician and singer-songwriter (Audioslave, Soundgarden), suicide by hanging.
Viktor Gorbatko, 82, Russian cosmonaut (Soyuz 7, Soyuz 24, Soyuz 37), stomach cancer.
Rhodri Morgan, 77, Welsh politician, MP for Cardiff West (1987-2001), Leader of Welsh Labour (2000-2009) and First Minister (2000-2009), suspected heart attack.
18
Roger Ailes, 77, American television executive, Chairman and CEO of Fox News (1996-2016), subdural hematoma complicated from a fall.
Anil Madhav Dave, 60, Indian politician, MP (since 2009) and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (since 2016), cardiac arrest complicated by pneumonia.
Jacque Fresco, 101, American futurist (The Venus Project), complications from Parkinson's disease.
Reema Lagoo, 58, Indian actress (Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Maine Pyar Kiya, Kal Ho Na Ho), cardiac arrest.
Daniele Piombi, 84, Italian television (Premio Regia Televisiva) and radio presenter, complications from respiratory arrest.
19
Rich Buckler, 68, American comic book artist (Deathlok, All-Star Squadron, Fantastic Four), cancer.
Huub Ernst, 100, Dutch Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Breda (1967-1992).
Nawshirwan Mustafa, 73, Iraqi Kurdish politician, General Coordinator of the Movement for Change (since 2009), lung cancer.
Stanislav Petrov, 77, Russian Lieutenant colonel in the Soviet Air Defense Forces, prevented nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union, pneumonia.
Kid Vinil, 62, Brazilian musician and record producer, cardiac arrest.
Wayne Walker, 80, American football player (Detroit Lions), sports broadcaster and director (KPIX, NFL on CBS), complications from Parkinson's disease.
20
Albert Bouvet, 87, French cyclist, Paris-Tours winner (1956).
Joy Corning, 84, American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (1991-1999), liver disease.
Emile Degelin, 90, Belgian movie director (If the Wind Frightens You, Life and Death in Flanders, Palaver) and novelist, pneumonia.
Victor Gaureanu, 49, Romanian fencer, World Fencing Championship bronze medalist (1994, 2001), suspected cardiac arrest.
Syed Abdullah Khalid, 75, Bangladeshi sculptor and professor, recipient of the 2017 Ekushey Padak, complications from COPD.
Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov, 65, Russian politician, President of the Udmurt Republic (2000-2014), cancer.
21
Kenny Cordray, 62, American guitarist (THE CHILDREN) and songwriter ("Francine"), shot.
Sir Paul Judge, 68, British businessman and political executive.
Jimmy LaFave, 61, American folk musician and singer-songwriter (Cimarron Manifesto), tissue cancer.
Bill White, 77, Canadian ice hockey player (Rochester Americans, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings).
22
Salman Ramadan Abedi, 22, British terrorist, attacker responsible for the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, suicide by bombing.
Oscar Fullone, 78, Argentine football player (Independiente Medellin, Real Oviedo, Aston Villa) and coach (Burkina Faso national team, Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca), respiratory arrest.
Nicky Hayden, 35, American professional motorcycle racer (Ducati), World Champion (2006), injuries following traffic collision.
Dina Merrill, 93, American actress (Operation Petticoat, BUtterfield 8, Desk Set), philanthropist and production executive (RKO Pictures), dementia.
Leonhard Nagenrauft, 79, German luger, European champion (1967).
Mickey Roker, 84, American jazz drummer, lung cancer.
Zbigniew Wodecki, 67, Polish singer ("Chalupy Welcome To", "Lubie wracac tam, gdzie bylem", "Zacznij od Bacha"), composer and television presenter (Taniec z gwiazdami), complications from a stroke and COPD.
23
William Carney, 74, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st congressional district (1979-1987), prostate cancer.
Stefano Farina, 54, Italian football referee (UEFA Champions League, FIFA), suspected heart attack.
Sir Roger Moore, 89, English actor (James Bond, The Persuaders!, The Saint), prostate-lung-liver cancer.
Jerry Perenchio, 86, American businessman, CEO of Univision (1992-2007), lung cancer.
Kaoru Yosano, 78, Japanese politician, Chief Cabinet Secretary (2007), pneumonia.
24
Ezekiel Anisi, 28, Papua New Guinean politician, MP for Ambunti-Dreikikir (2012, since 2013), suspected cardiac arrest.
Tom Gilbey, 79, British fashion designer (Savile Row), cancer.
William Duborgh Jensen, 82, Norwegian fashion designer.
Denis Johnson, 67, American author (Angels, Jesus' Son, Tree of Smoke), liver cancer.
Noel Kinsey, 91, Welsh footballer (Birmingham City F.C.). (death announced on this date)
Juliana Koo, 111, Chinese-born American diplomat.
Fritz Lichtenhahn, 85, Swiss actor (Alle Jahre wieder: Die Familie Semmeling, Germany Pale Mother, Schtonk).
Jared Martin, 75, American actor (Dallas, War of the Worlds, The Fantastic Journey), pancreatic cancer.
Pierre Seron, 75, Belgian comic book artist (Melusine, Spirou, Modeste et Pompon).
Sonny West, 78, American actor and stuntman (Stay Away, Joe, The Hellcats, Bigfoot), oropharyngeal and lung cancer.
25
Sir Alistair Horne, 91, British historian (A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962), journalist (The Daily Telegraph) and spy.
Eva Estrada Kalaw, 96, Filipino politician, Senator (1965-1972) and Assemblywoman from Manila (1984-1986).
Frederick Leboyer, 98, French obstetrician and author (Birth Without Violence).
Saucy Sylvia, 96, Canadian-born American radio personality (The Sylvia Show) and singer ("Sex is the thing that started it all"), complications from pnuemonia.
Ali Tanriyar, 103, Turkish politician, Minister of the Interior (1983-1984) and sports executive, President of Galatasaray S.K. (1986-1990).
26
Toni Bertorelli, 69, Italian actor (The Young Pope, Who Killed Pasolini?, The Passion of the Christ), complications from pancreatic cancer.
Laura Biagiotti, 73, Italian fashion designer, complications from a heart attack.
Zbigniew Brzezinski, 89, Polish-American diplomat and political scientist, National Security Advisor (1977-1981), congestive heart failure.
Jim Bunning, 85, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates) and politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 4th congressional district (1987-1999) and U.S. Senator (1999-2011), complications from a stroke.
27
Gregg Allman, 69, American Hall of Fame singer-songwriter ("I'm No Angel", "Ramblin' Man", "Midnight Rider") and musician (The Allman Brothers Band), complications from liver cancer.
Don Robinson, 84, English rugby league player (Wakefield Trinity, Leeds), World Champion (1954).
28
Frank Deford, 78, American sportswriter (Sports Illustrated), novelist (Everybody's All-American) and radio broadcaster (Morning Edition).
Ervin E. Dupper, 94, American politician, member of the South Dakota Senate (1965-1968).
John Noakes, 83, British television presenter (Blue Peter, Go With Noakes), complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Graham Webb, 73, British racing cyclist, Amateur Road World Champion (1967).
29
Michael A'Hearn, 76, American astronomer.
Konstantinos Mitsotakis, 98, Greek politician, Prime Minister (1990-1993).
Manuel Noriega, 83, Panamanian politician and military official, Military Leader (1983-1989), complications from brain surgery.
Mordechai Tzipori, 92, Israeli general and politician, Minister of Communications (1981-1984).
30
Sir Gordon Brunton, 95, British businessman, Chair Executive of Thomson Corporation (1966-1984).
Molly Peters, 75, British actress (Thunderball) and model, complications from a stroke.
Dasari Narayana Rao, 75, Indian movie director (Meghasandesam) and politician.
Elena Verdugo, 92, American actress (Panama Sal, House of Frankenstein, Marcus Welby, M.D.).
31
Jiri Belohlavek, 71, Czech conductor (Prague Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra), cancer.
Lubomyr Husar, 84, Ukrainian Ukrainian Catholic hierarch, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych (2001-2011).
Tino Insana, 69, American (Three Amigos!, Bobby's World, Barnyard) and comedian (The Second City), complications from cancer.
Fred Kummerow, 102, American biochemist.
Bern Nix, 69, American jazz guitarist (Dancing in Your Head, In All Languages), suspected heart attack.
Months
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
Related pages
Deaths in 2014
Deaths in 2015
Deaths in 2016
References
Other websites
The Guardian, UK obituaries
Obituaries, Los Angeles Times
Obituaries, Chicago Tribune
The New York Times, US obituaries
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australian obituaries
The Telegraph obituaries
05
May 2017 events