Joe Clark
Clark was the principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, where he gained national recognition for his attempts to increase school standards. On December 29, the high school principal who inspired Morgan Freeman’s 1989 film Lean On Me died at 82 after a long struggle with an unexplained illness. Clark died in Gainesville, Florida, surrounded by relatives and friends, according to his family account.
Joe Clark
Phil Niekro
The MLB star, whose trademark knuckleball earned him induction into the Hall of Fame in 1997, died in his sleep on December 26 at 81 after a long battle with cancer. The Atlanta Braves paid tribute to him in a tweet, calling him “a steady presence over the years, in our clubhouse, our alumni gatherings, and around Braves Nation.” Nancy’s wife, Philip’s sons, John and Michael, and two grandchildren survive Niekro.
Phil Niekro
