Passings
Joseph P. Miller
1941-2009
Joseph P. Miller, 67, passed away of cardiac failure February 5 in Palm Springs, California. He was born September 27, 1941, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He suffered from heart issues since birth, but lived a full and joyous life.
Miller was a member of The Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, and a Member Emeritus of The Atons of Minneapolis, where he had served as President. He was a volunteer “buddy” for persons with AIDS in Minneapolis in the 1980s.
A member of St. Paul in the Desert Episcopal Church in Palm Springs, Miller had been a member of Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley in Cathedral City and All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church in Minneapolis.
Miller is survived by Clark Bufkin; his mother, Claire Miller; his sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Russ Roberts; and an immense number of extended family and friends throughout the world.
Donations to offset Miller’s final arrangements and hospital bills may be made via checks payable to Clark Bufkin, 307 San Domingo Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264.
John T. Osnes
1953-2008
John T. Osnes, 55, died November 23, 2008, the victim of a road rage incident in Los Angeles, California. Ironically, he was a pedestrian-rights activist who never owned a car.
A professional jazz pianist, he was Lori Dokken’s accompanist in her early days in the 1980s in the upstairs Piano Lounge at the Gay 90’s in Minneapolis.
The Osnes family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Counseling Center, McDonald Wright Bldg., 1625 Schrader Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028; or The Greyhound Sanctuary, 87 Encantado Loop, Santa Fe, NM 87508.
A memorial celebration of Osnes’s life will be held March 1, 1-3:30 PM, at Axel’s Bonfire Restaurant, 850 Grand Avenue, St. Paul.
Ann Ratcliff
1959-2008
Barbara A. Ratcliff, 48, died August 31, 2008. She was born October 9, 1959, at Offet Air Force Base in Nebraska. She spent her childhood in Sherman, Texas. She lived her last 22 years in Minnesota.
Ratcliff is survived by her life partner of 18 years, Deborah S. Morris, who said, “Ann brought love, joy, and laughter. She will always be missed. I think she would really like this remembrance of her short but bright life.”
