Joe Lieberman, one of the biggest major independent politicians, died March 27 at age 82 from injuries sustained from a fall in his Bronx home. Lieberman served as U.S. senator from Connecticut for six terms spanning 1989-2013. He was also a nominee for vice president when he ran alongside Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Lieberman was a supporter of the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. He also supported a strong relationship with Israel, free trade economics...

The death of Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman, shocked many in the entertainment world when it was announced July 31. According to various published reports, Reubens waged a private battle with cancer for years. Pee-wee Herman made me laugh. Everything about Reuben’s iconic child-like character made me smile. Tim Burton’s celebrated movie, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” made me chuckle and laugh like a little kid. Pee-wee embarked on a wild U.S. adventure to recover his beloved stolen bicycle in that one, even stopping in San Antonio to check out a clue that it was hidden in the Alamo.

Veteran actor, director and producer Alan Arkin died June 29 at 89 after a long, varied career. He is probably best known for his Oscar-winning role in the comic-drama “Little Miss Sunshine” in 2006. Arkin portrayed Edwin Hoover, the title character’s profanity-prone grandfather.