National Obituaries

___ Rosalynn Carter , from her 1984 book, “ First Lady from Plains” On the campaign: “Later I was thankful for those early months when there were no large crowds, although I wanted them at the time, and when there were no press with me to record ever

LONDON (AP) — Ben Dunne, an Irish business tycoon who survived a kidnapping by the IRA and later triggered a scandal that shook the cozy world of Ireland’s politics, has died. He was 74.

TOKYO (AP) — Daisaku Ikeda, who headed Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization, that includes famed musician Herbie Hancock and other celebrities in its fold, has died at 95, the Japanese religious organization said Saturday. Ikeda died on Nov.

Bobby Ussery , a Hall of Fame jockey who won the 1967 Kentucky Derby and then crossed the finish line first in the 1968 edition only to be disqualified days later, has died. He was 88.

NEW YORK (AP) — George “Funky” Brown, the co-founder and longtime drummer of Kool & The Gang who helped write such hits as “Too Hot,” “Ladies Night,” “Joanna” and the party favorite “Celebration,” died Thursday in Los Angeles at age 74.

LONDON (AP) — British author A.S. Byatt, who wove history, myth and a sharp eye for human foibles into books that included the Booker Prize-winning novel “Possession,” has died at the age of 87.

MONTREAL — When bad weather forced the cancellation of a performance by Les Cowboys Fringants at the Festival d'été de Québec this summer, organizers added an extra day to the festival just to give the beloved folk-rock band an opportunity to take th

WATERBURY, Vt. — Ken Squier, a longtime NASCAR announcer and broadcaster, has died. He was 88. Squier died Wednesday night in Waterbury, Vermont, according to the management of the local WDEV radio, which he owned.

MONTREAL — Karl Tremblay, the lead singer with one of Quebec's most beloved bands, has died at the age of 47. His group, Les Cowboys Fringants, shared the news of his death in a social media post this afternoon.

NEW YORK (AP) — Terry R.