PASSINGS: Dave Brockie, John V. ‘Jack’ Foley

Dave Brockie

Frontman for heavy metal GWAR

Dave Brockie, 50, who as “Oderus Urungus” fronted the alien-costumed heavy metal band GWAR during graphic and fake-blood-soaked stage shows for more than three decades, was found dead Sunday evening at his home in Richmond, Va.

Detectives currently don’t suspect foul play, according to Richmond police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh, and the medical examiner’s office will determine cause of death.

The band founded in 1984 is known for its comically grotesque costumes, stage antics and vulgar lyrics. GWAR was nominated for a Grammy Award for best long-form music video in 1993 for “Phallus in Wonderland” and for best metal performance for “S.F.W.” in 1996. GWAR released its latest album, “Battle Maximus,” in September 2013.

Brockie remained a constant in the band that has had a revolving door of members, including lead guitarist Cory Smoot, who was found dead on the band’s tour bus in North Dakota in 2011. He was 34.

John V. “Jack” Foley

Chairman of Metropolitan Water District board

John V. “Jack” Foley, 83, chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, died Friday at his home in Laguna Niguel after battling cancer, the agency announced Monday.

Chairman of the MWD since 2010, Foley had previously held the post from December 1993 through 1998. Since 1989, he had also represented the MWD of Orange County on Metropolitan’s board, which oversees the Southern California water importer and wholesaler.

The retired colonel and veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers was born July 19, 1930, in New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s in civil engineering from MIT and another master’s in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

During his Army career he served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and with the office of the chief of staff at the Pentagon and as chief of public affairs for the chief of engineers in Washington. After serving as the Army’s district engineer in the five southwestern states, he retired in 1976.

He then began serving a variety of Southern California water entities: as general manager of the Aliso Water Management Agency from 1976 to 1979, general manager of the Moulton Niguel Water District from 1979 to 2008, and beginning in the late ‘80s as a member of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Times staff and wire reports

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