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HISTORIAN STEPHEN AMBROSE, AUTHOR OF 'BAND OF BROTHERS'
By BRETT MARTEL, Associated Press writer
NEW ORLEANS -- Stephen E. Ambrose, a once-obscure history professor catapulted to prominence by his best-selling books that made aging World War II veterans hometown heroes again, died yesterday of lung cancer. He was 66.
Family members were with Ambrose, a longtime smoker who was diagnosed in April, when he died at a Bay St. Louis, Miss., hospital, said his son, Hugh.
At the National D-Day Museum, which Ambrose founded, his portrait was placed near the entrance and a sign noted his death. Guests were invited to write messages to the Ambrose family on museum postcards.
"He had a knack in his writing for making you feel like he was sitting right there talking to you," said Tom Gordon, a P-38 reconnaissance pilot in World War II, who was visiting the museum from St. Louis.
Douglas Brinkley, a former student of Ambrose's who followed him as director of the University of New Orleans' Eisenhower Center, said Ambrose was "the great populist historian of America.
"He didn't write for intellectuals, he wrote for everyday people," Brinkley said.
Some in academia didn't take Ambrose seriously, which is why, his supporters say, jealousy ran rampant when Ambrose's name became a fixture on best-seller lists. Some colleagues say that was what led to accusations in early 2002 that Ambrose plagiarized several passages in a handful of books. The passages lacked quotation marks, but were footnoted, which other historians called inadequate.
Ambrose apologized for careless editing but otherwise stood by his work.
"I always thought plagiarism meant using other people's words and ideas, pretending they were your own and profiting from it. I do not do that, have never done that and never will," he wrote in a newspaper editorial.
Ambrose spent the last six months of his life in a flurry of writing. His last book, "To America: Personal Reflections of an Historian," which he called his love song to his country, is set for release Nov. 19.
For much of his career, Ambrose was a little-known history professor. He burst onto the best-seller list less than a decade ago with his 1994 book "D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II."
Based in large part on interviews with veterans, the book recounted the chaotic, bloody beach invasions of Normandy from the American soldier's perspective.
"He was saying, 'There's all this obsession with high command, but the real story is these citizen soldiers who still live in every town and hamlet in the United States,"' Brinkley said.
With unadorned but lively prose, Ambrose continued to captivate readers as he churned out history books at an industrious pace, publishing more than 30, including a half-dozen more best sellers such as "Citizen Soldiers" and "The Wild Blue."
He "combined high standards of scholarship with the capacity to make history come alive for a lay audience," Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Arthur Schlesinger said.
While best known for his World War II books and as the founder of the National D-Day Museum, Ambrose wrote about numerous aspects of American history. Other books addressed former Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, the Transcontinental Railroad and the Lewis and Clark expedition of the American West.
"His great gift was that he refused to allow people to think history was boring," said Brinkley, who also collaborated on books with Ambrose. "He was always grabbing people by their lapels and saying, 'Listen to this. Isn't this fascinating?'"
Ambrose, who called himself a hero worshipper, said in a recent interview that his focus on World War II developed from working on his Eisenhower biography and his memory of GIs returning home from World War II when he was 10 years old.
"I thought the returning veterans were giants who had saved the world from barbarism. I still think so," he said.
For the most part, war veterans were eager to help Ambrose and entrusted artifacts they saved from World War II to the D-Day Museum. The old soldiers seemed to relate well to the author, a plain-speaking man who got to the point and wasn't afraid to mix in a few curse words for emphasis.
When Ambrose learned he had cancer, he said the likely terminal diagnosis was in some respects liberating because "you can do whatever the hell you want. Who's going to criticize you? And if they do, what the hell do you care?"
By the time he became ill, Ambrose's snowballing success had grown into a dynamic family industry that ranged from top-dollar lectures to movie consulting and even historical tours run by one of his sons.
Ambrose's film work included consulting roles in Steven Spielberg's World War II blockbuster, "Saving Private Ryan," and on the World War II documentary, "Price for Peace," also directed by Spielberg.
In addition, Spielberg and "Private Ryan" star Tom Hanks turned Ambrose's best-selling book "Band of Brothers" into a cable miniseries.
Ambrose was born Jan. 10, 1936, a doctor's son from Whitewater, Wis. He was for much of his career a ponytail-wearing liberal who once quit a teaching job at Kansas State University in protest over a campus visit by Nixon during the bombings of Laos and Cambodia.
As a young professor, Ambrose counted himself among the New Left professors who taught what was wrong with America, criticizing the treatment of American Indians, U.S. motives for the Mexican-American war and neglect of the environment. But he wasn't always a left-wing academic. He played football for the University of Wisconsin and related his affection for the sport to his fascination with battlefield strategy.
Ambrose spoke out against America's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet he focused his research on presidents and the military at a time when such topics were increasingly regarded by his colleagues as old-fashioned.
Ambrose's cancer diagnosis prompted him to drop a World War II project about the Pacific and begin the autobiographical book due out next month. The book in many ways embodied Ambrose's transformation from left-wing demonstrator to super-patriot.
"I want to tell all the things that are right about America," Ambrose said in a May interview with The Associated Press.
Ambrose, who spent most of his teaching career at the University of New Orleans, founded the D-Day Museum to exhibit artifacts entrusted to him by veterans he had interviewed. It initially was meant for the university campus but turned into a $30 million exhibit in a converted downtown warehouse.
In an interview earlier this month with The Times-Picayune, Ambrose said he was inspired to continue writing by Ulysses S. Grant, who wrote his memoirs through the pain of throat cancer.
"Dying is so damn complicated," he said.
Hugh Ambrose said his father "fought cancer as he did all things: with passion, with dignity, with generosity and without complaint."
He said those wondering how they should honor his father should "take a moment to thank one of America's veterans."
Stephen Ambrose also is survived by his wife, Moira, brothers Harry and Bill, and children Andy, Barry, Grace and Stephanie.
Find these links at SouthCoastToday.com: http://www.stephenambrose.com • http://www.ddaymuseum.org
MARIA E. CORREIRA
NEW BEDFORD -- Maria Evelyn (Rose) Correira, 82, of New Bedford died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002, at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. She was the widow of Joseph J. Correira.
Born in Provincetown, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Amelia (Jason) Rose.
Mrs. Correira was a housekeeper at Hallmark Nursing Home in New Bedford.
She was a Gold Star wife of America & Moose Golden Ages and was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Beverly Lecuyer of New Bedford and Josephine Dube of New Bedford; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Geraldine Blais, and the sister of the late Manuel Rose, Joseph Rose, Victor Rose, Ernest Rose, Mary Costa, Julia Arruda, Rose Shultz, Emily Francis and Helen Pacheco.
Her funeral will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., with a Mass at 9 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.
MARY SOUZA, 94
FALL RIVER -- Mary (Cabral) Souza, 94, of Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Ave., formerly of Division Street, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, at the home. She was the widow of Antone F. Souza.
Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Francisco Cabral and Mary (Medeiros) Cabral Medeiros, she was a lifelong resident of Fall River.
Mrs. Souza and her husband owned and operated City Venetian Blind Co. for many years in Fall River.
She previously was a weaver in the local textile industry.
She was a charter member of the Fall River Lioness Club and was a member of Santo Christo Church.
Survivors include a son, Anthony F. Souza of Ottsville, Pa.; two daughters, Margaret A. Gross of Windsor, Conn., and Mary L. Miller of Sandwich; a brother, Faustine Cabral of Fall River; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a niece and a nephew.
Her funeral will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Oliveira Funeral Home, 215 Columbia St., with a Mass at 9 at Santo Christo Church, Columbia Street.
Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Stafford Road.
CHARLES CASIMIRO
PROVIDENCE -- Charles Casimiro, 65, of Monterey Drive, Bristol, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at the VA Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy (Yared) Casimiro.
Born in New Bedford, Mass., the son of the late Charles and Mary (Mello) Casimiro, he lived in Bristol for 25 years; he previously resided in Barrington and New Bedford.
Mr. Casimiro graduated from New Bedford High School and was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was an expediter at Raytheon Corp. for 28 years; he retired in 1995.
He was a member of American Legion Post 10 in Riverside and was an usher at St. Elizabeth's Church.
Survivors include his widow; two sisters, Irene Andrade of Seekonk, Mass., and Emily Fernandes of Bristol; and a brother, George Casimiro of Missouri.
He was the brother of the late Anthony Casimiro.
His funeral will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the George C. Lima Funeral Home, 367 High St., Bristol, with a Mass at 9 at St. Elizabeth's Church, 577 Wood St., Bristol.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bristol.
SIDONIA C. LILLEY
SWANSEA -- Sidonia C. Lilley, 79, of Gardners Neck Road died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at Country Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.
Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Sidonia (Thompson) Lilley.
She was a registered nurse and was a corporal in the Army during World War II.
There are no immediate survivors.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Boule Funeral Home, 615 Broadway, Fall River.
Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.
HENRY N. RENEY
FALL RIVER -- Henry N. Reney, 76, of Fall River died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at home after a long illness. He was the husband of Olive (Moniz) Reney.
Born in Fall River, the son of the late Joseph and Amelia (Autote) Reney, he lived in the city all his life.
In his earlier years, he worked at Lefty's Garage for 21 years and at Dukes Bowling Alleys.
Before his retirement, he was a maintenance man for the Fall River Housing Authority for 20 years.
Mr. Reney was an Army veteran of the Korean War; he was a staff sergeant in the motor pool.
He was a member of Holy Rosary Church and was an avid bowler.
Survivors include his widow; a son, Wayne D. Reney of Limestone, Maine; two daughters, Darlene Wilson of Fall River and Michele Souza of Taunton; two brothers, Charles Reney of California and Wilbur Reney of Swansea; a sister, Alice Lanoutte of Fall River; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Randy S. Reney, and the brother of the late Edward J. Reney, William Reney and Rhea Monast.
His funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St., with a Mass at 10 at Holy Rosary Church, Beattie Street. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
MANUEL J. RAMOS JR.
NEW BEDFORD -- Manuel J. Ramos Jr., 75, of New Bedford died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, at Mariner Healthcare of Southeastern Massachusetts after a long illness. He was the husband of Pasqulina (Santos) Ramos.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Manuel J. and Carolina (Santos) Ramos, he lived in New Bedford all his life.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of All Nations.
Mr. Ramos was an auditor at Hemingway Trucking Co. and later at Yellow Bird Trucking Co. until his retirement.
He was a former member and past president of the Cape Verdean Ultramarine Band Club.
He was a former leader of Boy Scout Troop 20 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Mr. Ramos served in the Army during World War II and received the World War II Victory Medal.
He participated in Project Independence.
Survivors include his widow; a son, Manuel J. Ramos III of New Bedford; three daughters, Wendy Ramos, Rosemarie Ramos and Patricia Ramos, all of New Bedford; four brothers, Joseph Ramos, Caesar Ramos, Louie Ramos and Raymond Ramos, all of New Bedford; three sisters, Mary Soares and Dorothy Gomes, both of New Bedford, and Elizabeth Burgo of North Dartmouth; four grandchildren, Derek Ramos, Darren Andrade, Daryl Ramos and Quintin M. Ramos.
He was the brother of the late John Ramos and Kathleen Lopes.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of All Nations, 105 Purchase St.
Burial will be private. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St.
This obituary is being published again to include a photo and to correct an error by The Standard-Times.
DOROTHY L. GUSTAFSON
FALL RIVER -- Dorothy L. "Dot" Gustafson, 86, of Dias Terrace, Somerset, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the former wife of the late Roy M. Geggatt and the widow of Philip C. Gustafson.
Born in Acushnet, the daughter of the late John W. and Florence (Cleminshaw) Laycock, she lived in Somerset for many years.
She worked in the chemical warfare division of the Defense Department during World War II. She then worked at Aerovox in New Bedford, and Raytheon in Dighton and Portsmouth, R.I. More recently she worked for the Somerset Police Department and retired in 1981.
Mrs. Gustafson enjoyed bowling, was a former secretary of the Somerset Village Seniors, and volunteered at Clifton Rehabilitative Nursing Center.
Survivors include a son, Roy M. Geggatt Jr., and his wife, Elaine, of Tiverton, R.I.; a daughter, Janice C. Campos of Rochester; six grandchildren, William Tavares, Donna Costa, Andrea Geggatt, Erika Peirce, Deanne Putman and Todd Campos; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Esther Laycock, Walter Laycock, Milton Laycock, Robert Laycock and Theodore Laycock.
Her funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auclair Funeral Home, 690 S. Main St. Cremation will follow.
RAYMOND V. BOLING
BOSTON -- Raymond V. Boling, 77, of Taunton died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Bernice M. (McCarty) Boling.
Born and raised in Seattle, the son of the late Victor L. and Verna (Benjamin) Boling, he also lived in New Bedford and Ohio; he retired in Port Charlotte, Fla., and resided in Taunton a year.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte while he lived in Florida.
Mr. Boling served in the Navy from 1943-51.
He attended Gonzaga University, SMTI in New Bedford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. He worked at New Bedford Gas & Edison for 16 years, and then was a superintendent in the gas division of Hamilton, Ohio, for 23 years; he retired in 1987.
He enjoyed fishing, golfing and reading.
Survivors include his widow; two sons, Keith R. Boling and his wife, Margaret, of East Freetown, and Alan R. Boling and his wife, Rosemary, of Elkhart, Ind.; a daughter, Sandi L. McKinley of Cincinnati; a brother, Glen Boling of Libby, Mont.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Virginia Andrews.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Donaghy-Hathaway Funeral Home, 465 County St. Burial will be in Veterans National Cemetery, Bourne.
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