RIP-Randy Savage

On Friday afternoon, I heard the sad news that Randy Savage had died after having a heart attack and crashing his car.  Savage was 58 and mostly retired, living his life near his brother, Lanny Poffo.  Their father Angelo died in March of 2010.
Savage was one of the most recognizable wrestlers of his era.  He had great success in the ring and he also did some acting and some spokesperson work.
I know several people who have met Savage over the years, but the best and most unique story comes from my friend Chuck Gekas.  Chuck met Savage while working at the Chicago Sun-Times, shortly before he joined Lerner Newspapers and our friendship started to really grow.
I'll let Chachi take it from here...
When I headed Sales for the Chicago Sun-Times' special sections department, we wanted to do a section in August 1994 for the grand opening of the United Center.  Originally Frank Sinatra was scheduled to be the arena's first show, but he had to cancel, which meant the WWF's SummerSlam 7th annual event on August 29th, 1994, would become the first ever event at the United Center.
I called the WWF (at the time, they had an office on Michigan Avenue) and asked if it was possible to have a wreswtler attend our ad sales meeting to help me pump up the staff to sell ads into the section.  When they said of course, I was happy and assumed they would send a non-star.  Not only did they not send a non-star, they sent a superstar, Randy "Macho Man" Savage.
We met a half hour before the meeting and he was extremely gracious and happy to help out.  We spoke about his father, Angelo Poffo and his sit-up record, as well as growing up in the Chicago area (Downers Grove) and playing in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system as a catcher.
Prior to the weekly sales meeting, nobody knew who my special guest was.  So when I addressed our 200 person ad staff and introduced Randy Savage, the place went up for grabs.  He put on quite a show and really did a great job of helping me generate interest for the special United Center section.  Afterward, he stuck around for photos and autographs.  The cost to have the superstar was $0.  He was truly a class act.
That's a great story, because it has Savage in an unusual situation for him, yet he still had the crowd cheering.  It's even better when you hear Chuck tell it.  You can see his excitement and his appreciation for Savage.
As documented here previously, I have worked with Lanny in the past and I know what a close knit family they had.  My condolences go to Lanny and the rest of the Poffo family.  My thanks go to Randy for some great wrestling memories.  Thanks, too, to Chuck for sharing his wonderful story.  Finally, for more information and to view his guestbook, check out Legacy.com.
RIP Randy Savage and ohhhhh yeahhhhhhhhh!

Randy Savage and Chuck Gekas in Chicago, IL-August 1994.

RIP:Bud Parker

After the Thanksgiving break, I received the sad news that Harry "Bud" Parker had passed away.   Bud is Scott's father and Matt and Sam's grandfather.  He is also married to Joan and they have 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

I didn't see Bud very often, especially since he (and Joan) moved to Texas.  My biggest and best memory of him was actually at the wedding of Scott and Jean.  It was about halfway through the night and we met near the bar.  We talked for a few minutes and Bud seemed so very happy.  Bud was usually a quiet man, but at that moment, we talked like two old high school buddies.

I realized then and had it confirmed several times over the years that Bud loved his family dearly.  I saw it when he held my nephew Matt as a newborn.  I saw it again when he held my niece Sam  I saw it whenever he was around his family.

Bud was a good man and he will be missed by all.  My prayers and thoughts go out to the entire Parker family, especially Joan, one of the kindest people I have ever known.  An online guestbook can be found at Legacy.com.

RIP:Crush

It started with a frantic phone call from LD last summer. I quickly learned she was on another animal-saving mission. This time it involved 8+ cats living in a hovel of an abandoned house, mistreated by the family to whom they belonged. I will not go into the sad details, but the adults in that household deserve a beatdown.
LD had placed 7 of the cats in a no-kill shelter. We found a girl cat in a closet. We weren't even sure there was another, but we left food and a safe trap. The next day, we found a handsome orange tabby sitting there waiting for us.
LD kept the 2 cats for a couple weeks and I agreed to foster them until a proper home could be found. Within a few days, I realized I could not let them go.
We named the boy Crush. Ironically, he had the same ear condition that my previous cat Iggy had. I guess it was destined to be.
They both turned out to be sweet cats (which was surprising, considering the condition in which they lived). Crush was a big eater and a caterwauler. Initially he was annoyed by GiGi's pokes at him, but they soon formed a good relationship.
Sadly, yesterday morning I found Crush's lifeless body. It turns out that he died of a heart attack, seemingly in his sleep and quickly. I wish we had more time together. I wish he had the chance to enjoy his new home and life. I am grateful that I helped him last year and gave him a better life.
It was short, but sweet, Crush. Go find Iggy and have a good time. You deserve some fun, big guy!

RIP:Lenny Yacobozzi

I was driving to my sister's house when she called me with the sad news. Our cousin Lenny had died of a heart attack. Lenny was in his early 50's.
I first met Lenny in the mid 70's, when I met the rest of the Yacobozzi family. They were cousins who lived in Amherst (OH). His parents were Enio and Hazel and his sisters were Cathy and Lori. We were all related on my mother's side, although I am not sure of the exact connection.
They visited Chicago a few times and we went to Amherst a few times. We even made a longer trek to Boston to visit Lenny when he attended the Berkley School of Music. Lenny was a drummer and a funny, funny guy.
We had such fun. We played cards. We went to amusement parks. We had great meals. We had tremendous laughs. Lots and lots of laughs.
All of us kids were growing up and getting busy. We lost touch for a while. In recent years, there were a couple get-togethers that I missed, because of a dark period in my life. There was talk of getting together soon.
It wasn't soon enough. Lenny is gone.
Lenny and the Yacobozzi family hold a dear place in my heart and in my memories. We had great times and Lenny had an impact on me. I really wish we could have talked to each other as adults.
Lenny is survived by his parents, his sisters and a son and daughter. My prayers are with them in this sad time.

Lenny Yacobozzi in OH-August 1975.

RIP:Norm Van Lier & Johnny Kerr

A few months ago, I posted about meeting Chicago Bulls legend Norm Van Lier. Sadly, today I am posting about his passing.
Van Lier was unique. He was old school, yet very hip. He was flashy and colorful, yet he was ferocious on the court. Van Lier was a real treat to meet and I am glad I had the chance a few years ago.
I remember Van Lier as one of the anchors on the Bulls of the 70's. After retiring Van Lier coached briefly at Mt. Carmel High School before becoming a media personality on several different radio and tv shows. Van Lier always was direct and always was entertaining.
Unfortunately, the Bulls organization experienced another death Thursday. Johnny 'Red' Kerr, the original coach of the Bulls and their long-time broadcaster passed away.
I never met Kerr, although he did sign some cards through the mail for me. Everyone who has met Kerr, has great tales to tell. He spanned 5 decades with the team and multiple generations with the fans.

RIP:Jean Blais

This past Saturday, Jean Blais left this world. Mrs. B. (mother of Dave Blais) was truly full of life and love.
She was my sister Nancy's mother-in-law, but I think she looked at Nancy as more of a daughter (and Nancy looked at her as a second mom). The mutual love and affection was so evident every time they were together.
After a 2 year battle, she passed away too young. I'd say there will be a little less spirit in our lives, but her spirit will live on. You could not have known her and not felt her spirit. Mrs. B. freely also welcomed me into her life. She knew no separation...everyone was just family and she loved us all.

We love you, too, Jean.

Jean Blais (seated middle row, dark sweater) and the rest of us in Fox River Grove, IL-December 2006

RIP:Iggy

Today should have been my cat Iggy's 17th birthday. Instead, it is the 1 year anniversary of his passing. Iggy was the coolest cat. Oh sure, early on he drove me insane with his habit of chewing electrical cords and destroying the toilet tissue. It took a couple years to finally break him of those habits (or maybe he just got bored with it). Iggy began to show his real personality, that of one laidback cat!
When Iggy was around 5, someone bought another cat for me. (Well meaning, but bad idea.) Iggy did not care for his new housemate, however he didn't act out wildly. In fact, he did the opposite, receding into a shell and essentially staying in the spare bedroom most of the time. The other cat died young, but Iggy still mainly remained in his room. I tried everything to get Iggy to roam the house freely again, but it was almost like he was afraid. It wasn't until LD started hanging around that Iggy slowly started to venture out. Somehow she managed to get through to Iggy. Eventually, all was back to normal, with Iggy reclaiming all of his old favorite spots.
Iggy was the perfect cat for me. We all joked that he slept about 23.5 hours a day. Of course, that is an exaggeration (he actually slept about 22.5). When I would get home late, I'd often check my email before going to sleep. Iggy would sit at the foot of the bed, meowing constantly until I finally climbed into bed.
Sometimes Iggy would appear to have a cold when I was sick. He'd get all stuffy and sneezy. Around Thanksgiving of 2007, I had a cold. Likewise, Iggy started showing the usual symptoms. Unfortunately, those symptoms did not disappear within the usual couple of days. I took him to the animal clinic where my sister Nancy works.
The doctor narrowed the cause down to a few things. Medicine was prescribed, in hopes that it was just some sort of infection. It became quickly apparent that this wasn't an infection. My little guy Iggy was in constant pain and losing weight quickly. I knew the end was near as I made the appointment for the next day. I slept by his side that night (not wanting to rouse him from his comfort zone).
I cried most of the way to the animal clinic, because I knew what had to be done. The decision was made and Nancy was there with him for his final breaths. I am so thankful that Nancy and my niece Laura were there. I cried all the way home and then climbed into bed.
I am also grateful that Iggy did not suffer too long. He had a bunch of tumors, mostly in his breathing passages. Not only was breathing difficult, but he was constantly bloated with air, thus losing the desire to eat. It was the right time and the best thing for him.
I still miss Iggy. Sometimes when I get home late, I can almost hear him urging me into bed. We had 17 great years and I loved him dearly.
Happy 17th birthday, Iggy and rest in peace little guy!

RIP:Pit Martin

When I started to follow the Chicago Blackhawks in the early 70's, I was surprised to find out that my mom had been a big fan of the team. I figured my dad followed the Blackhawks, but my mom? Yet, there she was, telling me about the players. One of those players was Hubert 'Pit' Martin.
Martin (along with Gilles Marotte and Jack Norris) had come to the Hawks in a trade with the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield. The trade is often viewed as lopsided, since Espo went on to a Hall of Fame career and Hodge was a 3 time All-Star during his 10 years in Boston. Marotte and Norris were both gone from Chicago within 3 seasons.
However, Martin is often overlooked. Martin, a 4 time All-Star, scored over 20 goals in 7 of his 10 seasons with the Hawks, scoring 30 goals 3 times. Back then, 20 goals meant more than it does today. In the 69-70 season, Martin won the Bill Masterson Trophy as the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Martin (5'8", 180 lbs.) was part of the famed MPH line (with Jim Pappin and Bobby Hull). He was also a captain in his later years, until he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks where he finished his career.
On Sunday November 30, Martin's snowmobile plunged through the ice on Lake Kanasuta in northwestern Quebec. Although his body has not been found, Martin was pronounced dead this morning.
Martin was one of the first players I ever remember. I never got to meet him, but I did correspond with him a few times. Thanks for the memories, Pit!