Da.Owl
Rs.for.Cars@gmail.com
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I Root For: The Rice Owls
Location: Under H. R. S.
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Gerry Donahue
Just got word that Head Usher Gerry Donahue is in ICU at a local hospital. Apparently heart related.
Send some prayers his way.
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04-29-2018 05:31 PM |
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Da.Owl
Rs.for.Cars@gmail.com
Posts: 6,235
Joined: Jul 2005
Reputation: 38
I Root For: The Rice Owls
Location: Under H. R. S.
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Got word Gerry's in Methodist in Sugar Land. Prognosis is not good. Prayers.
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04-29-2018 07:40 PM |
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Owl 69/70/75
Just an old rugby coach
Posts: 80,655
Joined: Sep 2005
Reputation: 3192
I Root For: RiceBathChelsea
Location: Montgomery, TX
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Praying. So sorry to learn of this.
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04-29-2018 09:29 PM |
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THRILL
All American
Posts: 3,282
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I Root For: Boobies
Location: Section F
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RE: Gerry Donahue
I looked for him at today's game and was gonna inquire.
Prayers for Gerry and the family, he needs to get back to the game so he can give me grief
I know he keeps up with us on the Board.
Love ya Gerry, get well soon
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04-29-2018 10:29 PM |
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SpaceCityBuzz
2nd String
Posts: 376
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RE: Gerry Donahue
(04-29-2018 10:29 PM)THRILL Wrote: I looked for him at today's game and was gonna inquire.
Prayers for Gerry and the family, he needs to get back to the game so he can give me grief
I know he keeps up with us on the Board.
Love ya Gerry, get well soon
Get well, Gerry. You have always been a reason for us to make it to the park!
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04-29-2018 10:31 PM |
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Baconator
Moderator
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I Root For: My Kids
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RE: Gerry Donahue
We are all praying for a full recovery for you, Gerry.
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04-30-2018 08:19 AM |
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waltgreenberg
Legend
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I Root For: Rice Owls
Location: Chicago
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Sending thoughts and prayers. Must have happened late Saturday, as he was at Reckling Saturday, but was missing on Sunday.
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04-30-2018 03:45 PM |
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bobreinhold1
1st String
Posts: 1,548
Joined: Dec 2011
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I Root For: Rice Owls
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Sadly, Gerry passed away around noon today. Arrangements pending. Even all the scouts were saddened by the news last night. To the man all really enjoyed and respected him. One scout told me Gerry always had our back, and gave them all stats on each team.
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05-03-2018 05:50 PM |
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THRILL
All American
Posts: 3,282
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I Root For: Boobies
Location: Section F
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Gerry was MY usher.
He would come and sit with us and share thoughts, rumors, gossip, even sing Sweet Caroline
Better than that he would make sure some of the Rice women athletes or players GF's would have good seats in his section.
Love ya Gerry you will be missed
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05-03-2018 07:03 PM |
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SpaceCityBuzz
2nd String
Posts: 376
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Gerry was MY usher, too.
He made the games very enjoyable and kept us plugged in. A great Irish storyteller and reservoir of Houston sports history.
Gerry you will be missed. It won't be the same.
RIP.
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05-03-2018 10:14 PM |
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Owl 69/70/75
Just an old rugby coach
Posts: 80,655
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I Root For: RiceBathChelsea
Location: Montgomery, TX
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RE: Gerry Donahue
RIP, Gerry. You will be missed. Greatly.
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05-03-2018 10:18 PM |
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#1RiceOwl
Water Engineer
Posts: 18
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RE: Gerry Donahue
I think Gerry was everyone's usher. Whenever there was a problem in the park, he was there, taking care of things. But he was usually there at the top of our aisle, ready with a smile and a bit of knowledge and a tip about the game and, yes, a wonderful story to share when there was time to sit down. He will be sorely missed and will take some joy out of Reckling Park for me --- a highlight always. RIP.
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05-04-2018 07:58 AM |
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ExcitedOwl18
Heisman
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I Root For: Rice
Location: Northern NJ
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RE: Gerry Donahue
I never knew him by name but certainly recognized him when I saw a photo.
RIP.
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05-04-2018 08:35 AM |
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RiceFootball2K5
1st String
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Gerry was a great one. Like everyone else, I always felt he was MY usher. I will certainly miss him. RIP Gerry.
Somebody please post his obit/funeral arrangements whenever they are announced.
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05-04-2018 09:20 AM |
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Steven Herce
Bench Warmer
Posts: 237
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I Root For: The Bomb Squad
Location: Houston
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Gerry was my first boss. I worked for him for two summers in high school. We were the summer maintenance crew at our high school. He called us his "Yard Dogs". Every once in a while he would make a point of calling me a "Yard Dog" when I would see him at games or Rice functions.
Rest in peace Gerry.
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05-04-2018 12:24 PM |
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SpaceCityBuzz
2nd String
Posts: 376
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RE: Gerry Donahue
(05-04-2018 12:24 PM)Steven Herce Wrote: Gerry was my first boss. I worked for him for two summers in high school. We were the summer maintenance crew at our high school. He called us his "Yard Dogs". Every once in a while he would make a point of calling me a "Yard Dog" when I would see him at games or Rice functions.
Rest in peace Gerry.
We heard the Yard Dog stories, too. Thank you, Steven, you old Yard Dog.
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05-04-2018 03:12 PM |
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Minnewaska Owl
2nd String
Posts: 315
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Along with Thrill, I spent many days and nights visiting with Gerry in Section F during Rice baseball games. The think I loved about guys like Gerry, was getting to listen to their sports stories from past eras. A couple years back we lost one of our close Section F buddies, Howard Feldman. Howard was originally from Philadelphia, but like many Rice fans, adopted the Owls as his favorite team. Howard used to share stories from when he followed the Phillies as a kid, and got to see Jackie Robinson play. I thought that was pretty neat.
Besides being an usher at baseball games, Gerry attended just about every Rice sporting event - for the men and women. I often sat next to him during women's volleyball matches. Truly a fascinating guy. For a while his family lived in New York City in the 50's. He shared many stories about attending Yankee, Giant and Dodger baseball games - back when New York was the center of the baseball world.
One of the last times I visited with Gerry he reminisced about his days coaching at St. Thomas High School. Apparently back then (in the 70's), there was a lot of pressure on faculty to coach multiple sports teams (in reality, because they were short on coaches). As a result, for a while Gerry was the St. Thomas men's tennis coach. One year he only had one player. Gerry's job was to essentially drive the guy to the various tournaments. He shared that this particular player was actually quite good, and one time made it to the final 16 at Wimbledon. Well, now he had my interest, so I asked what his name was. It was Nduka Odizar (i.e. "The Duke"). Back when I attended Rice - in the late 70's/early 80's, "The Duke" was one of the best players in the SWC. He was UH's number 1 player, and was almost unbeatable. I still remember the day when Rocky Royer, Rice's #1 player and fellow Loveteer, upset The Duke in a dual match at Rice. In those days, that was a big deal.
We'll miss you Gerry. I loved visiting with you, and will miss your wonderful stories.
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05-05-2018 09:31 AM |
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loki_the_bubba
Heisman
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RE: Gerry Donahue
(05-05-2018 09:31 AM)Minnewaska Owl Wrote: Along with Thrill, I spent many days and nights visiting with Gerry in Section F during Rice baseball games. The think I loved about guys like Gerry, was getting to listen to their sports stories from past eras. A couple years back we lost one of our close Section F buddies, Howard Feldman. Howard was originally from Philadelphia, but like many Rice fans, adopted the Owls as his favorite team. Howard used to share stories from when he followed the Phillies as a kid, and got to see Jackie Robinson play. I thought that was pretty neat.
Besides being an usher at baseball games, Gerry attended just about every Rice sporting event - for the men and women. I often sat next to him during women's volleyball matches. Truly a fascinating guy. For a while his family lived in New York City in the 50's. He shared many stories about attending Yankee, Giant and Dodger baseball games - back when New York was the center of the baseball world.
One of the last times I visited with Gerry he reminisced about his days coaching at St. Thomas High School. Apparently back then (in the 70's), there was a lot of pressure on faculty to coach multiple sports teams (in reality, because they were short on coaches). As a result, for a while Gerry was the St. Thomas men's tennis coach. One year he only had one player. Gerry's job was to essentially drive the guy to the various tournaments. He shared that this particular player was actually quite good, and one time made it to the final 16 at Wimbledon. Well, now he had my interest, so I asked what his name was. It was Nduka Odizar (i.e. "The Duke"). Back when I attended Rice - in the late 70's/early 80's, "The Duke" was one of the best players in the SWC. He was UH's number 1 player, and was almost unbeatable. I still remember the day when Rocky Royer, Rice's #1 player and fellow Loveteer, upset The Duke in a dual match at Rice. In those days, that was a big deal.
We'll miss you Gerry. I loved visiting with you, and will miss your wonderful stories.
I won't hijack this thread, but someday we must have a thread dedicated to Rocky Royer stories.
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05-05-2018 09:58 AM |
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Minnewaska Owl
2nd String
Posts: 315
Joined: Feb 2015
Reputation: 19
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
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RE: Gerry Donahue
(05-05-2018 09:58 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote: (05-05-2018 09:31 AM)Minnewaska Owl Wrote: Along with Thrill, I spent many days and nights visiting with Gerry in Section F during Rice baseball games. The think I loved about guys like Gerry, was getting to listen to their sports stories from past eras. A couple years back we lost one of our close Section F buddies, Howard Feldman. Howard was originally from Philadelphia, but like many Rice fans, adopted the Owls as his favorite team. Howard used to share stories from when he followed the Phillies as a kid, and got to see Jackie Robinson play. I thought that was pretty neat.
Besides being an usher at baseball games, Gerry attended just about every Rice sporting event - for the men and women. I often sat next to him during women's volleyball matches. Truly a fascinating guy. For a while his family lived in New York City in the 50's. He shared many stories about attending Yankee, Giant and Dodger baseball games - back when New York was the center of the baseball world.
One of the last times I visited with Gerry he reminisced about his days coaching at St. Thomas High School. Apparently back then (in the 70's), there was a lot of pressure on faculty to coach multiple sports teams (in reality, because they were short on coaches). As a result, for a while Gerry was the St. Thomas men's tennis coach. One year he only had one player. Gerry's job was to essentially drive the guy to the various tournaments. He shared that this particular player was actually quite good, and one time made it to the final 16 at Wimbledon. Well, now he had my interest, so I asked what his name was. It was Nduka Odizar (i.e. "The Duke"). Back when I attended Rice - in the late 70's/early 80's, "The Duke" was one of the best players in the SWC. He was UH's number 1 player, and was almost unbeatable. I still remember the day when Rocky Royer, Rice's #1 player and fellow Loveteer, upset The Duke in a dual match at Rice. In those days, that was a big deal.
We'll miss you Gerry. I loved visiting with you, and will miss your wonderful stories.
I won't hijack this thread, but someday we must have a thread dedicated to Rocky Royer stories.
Loki, I knew you would respond to the Rocky Royer reference!
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05-05-2018 10:11 AM |
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bobreinhold1
1st String
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Joined: Dec 2011
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I Root For: Rice Owls
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RE: Gerry Donahue
Visitation for Gerry will be Monday (5-7) from 4pm to 8 pm at the Settegast-Kopf Company, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land,
Memorial Service--Tuesday (5-8) 10:30 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston.
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05-05-2018 10:17 AM |
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