James Doohan Boldly Goes...
Stardate 4273.5
James "Scotty" Doohan passed away early this morning in Redmond, WA at the age of 85. Wende, his wife of 28 years, was at his bedside when he died of complications due to pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease.
James Doohan (1920 - 2005)
"Scotty, we must have more power!"
"I'm a givin' her all she's got Cap'n. If I give her anymore she's gonna blow."
"I'm a givin' her all she's got Cap'n. If I give her anymore she's gonna blow."
Scotty after drinking a Kelvan under the table...
Indeed it is a sad day for Canadians and Star Trek fans everywhere. My heart goes out to James' family and friends, and all of the millions of fans who will surely miss him.
We have already mourned the passing of Deforest Kelly and now it is James Doohan's turn. Remember him for the marvellous character he played, that many of us grew up to love, alongside his mates. I for one will raise a glass tonight in his honor.
In a way, it really adds some perspective to things. It is hard when all of the heroes one grew up with start leaving us, but it also makes us cherish the time we had with them. Remember, all good things must eventually end I suppose...
*** UPDATED ***
As some may know, James Doohan was in fact in the Canadian Army on D-Day at Juno Beach. This is an excerpt taken from Lord Kitchener's Own...
At 19, James escaped the turmoil at home by joining the Canadian army, becoming a lieutenant in artillery. He was among the Canadian forces that landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. "The sea was rough," he recalled. "We were more afraid of drowning than the Germans."
The Canadians crossed a minefield laid for tanks; the soldiers weren't heavy enough to detonate the bombs. At 11:30 that night, he was machine-gunned, taking six hits: one that took off his middle right finger (he managed to hide the missing finger on screen), four in his leg and one in the chest. The chest bullet was stopped by his silver cigarette case.
What a great Canadian!
The Canadians crossed a minefield laid for tanks; the soldiers weren't heavy enough to detonate the bombs. At 11:30 that night, he was machine-gunned, taking six hits: one that took off his middle right finger (he managed to hide the missing finger on screen), four in his leg and one in the chest. The chest bullet was stopped by his silver cigarette case.
What a great Canadian!
*** UPDATED ***
Just as an aside... there will be no new coverage of anything today (July 21st). I believe Jimmy deserves more than the 20 minutes MSN News gave him... Wil has a brief and heartelt post as well...
posted by Zaphod at 10:50 AM
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