Without any announcement, the first “Honorary Unsubscribe” runs in True.
The first write-up is a very brief nod toward Jack Lord, the star of the 1968–1980 hit TV series, Hawaii Five-O.
Lord was a huge star in the 1970s, but had retired — and was nearly completely forgotten by the time he died. I thought someone who had done such a marvelous job entertaining millions shouldn’t be forgotten, so I wrote him up for a new section in the newsletter.
Jack Lord’s write-up is of course the lead item in the first Honorary Unsubscribe book.
– – –
Reader reaction was very positive, but I don’t commit to doing it regularly: “I’ll do more when I’m aware of someone dying who’s worthy of the space,” I said in response. But almost every week, I do find someone worthy. Readers frequently say it’s their favorite part of the newsletter.
The write-ups were later moved to their own Archive of Obituaries and book collections.