Because “passed away” is passé
I’m a fan both of interesting nicknames and of the various euphemisms employed by obituary writers to avoid using the word “died.” A recent death notice in the News & Observer offered two such highlights in the same sentence:
William McKinley “June Rabbit” Hartsfield, Jr., hit a Heavenly Home Run on September 9, 2009 and is now running the bases, swinging his bat, and tipping his cap with the angels, saints, and doves in God’s Glorious Kingdom above.
It turns out Hartsfield played minor league baseball, so that explains the euphemism. His nickname, however, remains a mystery.
June Rabbit, I hope you get to play two up there.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I always heard that newspapers start composing obits for people of note long before they actually buy the farm. That way, when the dearly beloved one finally crosses to the other side, all you gotta do is update the roll of surviving loved ones and print it.
Are obit writers really just frustrated poets or novelists? The author of Rabbit McKinley’s obit was pretty creative.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Excuse me, William McKinley “June Rabbit” Hartsfield, Jr.