Performer dies after 2 days off life support

Tenor Jerry Hadley was always on – telling jokes, sometimes bad ones. People who knew him called him a magnificent performer, terrific communicator and loyal and upbeat friend. They remain shocked that he resorted to suicide.

The University of Illinois graduate and Illinois native died at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, two days after being taken off life support at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Using an air rifle, the 55-year-old singer had shot himself in the head on July 10 at his home in Clinton Corners, N.Y., causing severe brain damage.

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