Pat Conroy

Pat Conroy, the beloved author of “The Great Santini” and “The Prince of Tides” and other best-sellers who drew upon his bruising childhood and the vistas of South Carolina and became one of the country’s most compelling and popular storytellers, died Friday evening. He was 70.

Conroy, who announced last month that he had pancreatic cancer, died at home among family and loved ones in Beaufort, S.C., according to his publisher. The heavy-set author had battled other health problems in recent years, including diabetes, high blood pressure and a failing liver.

“The water is wide and he has now passed over,” his wife, novelist Cassandra Conroy, said in a statement from publisher Doubleday.

Few contemporary authors seemed more knowable to their readers over than Conroy. An openly personal writer, he candidly and expansively shared details of growing up as a “military brat” and his anguished relationship with his abusive father, Marine aviator and military hero Donald Conroy. He also wrote of his struggles with his health and depression.

“The reason I write is to explain my life to myself,” Conroy said in a 1986 interview. “I’ve also discovered that when I do, I’m explaining other people’s lives to them.”

Cancer claims country singer Feek

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Joey Feek, who with her husband, Rory, formed the award-winning country duo Joey + Rory, died Friday, her manager said.

Feek, who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer two years ago, died at home in Indiana, Aaron Carnahan said.

The brunette singer from Alexandria, Ind., found success when she paired up with her songwriter husband on the Country Music Television singing competition “Can You Duet?” in 2008. Joey Feek sang lead and her husband, known for his sideburns and blond flaptop, provided harmonies on such traditional country songs as “That’s Important to Me.”

They are nominated at the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards for vocal duo of the year.

They have a 2-year-old daughter, Indiana.

By The Associated Press