Birthday Wished From Gary Powers (RDHOF)

Posted by bunkertor on April 9, 2008 in Bio

This time of year provides lots of birthdays and I wanted to put out wishes to all…

CHYANN CANTALL, great-granddaughter of GERRY MURRAY, granddaughter of MIKE, JUDI
& CHARLIE, daughter of SHARI, sister of DARNE, turned 17 on April 3. She’s Roller Derby
royalty thru-and-thru and drop-dead gorgeous to boot!

Super fan, GARY BROWN, celebrated a birthday April 4. He’s Michigan’s greatest fan and
has been a terrific supporter of all we do at RDF, showing up to show his admiration for
the sport’s greatest stars at celebrations for Gerry Murray in Des Moines and for Derby’s
70th anniversary celebration in Chicago back in 2005. You’re the best, Gar!

NELLIE (Montague) WILSON also celebrated a birthday, April 4. Besides being a terrific
performer on the banked track for many years (Nellie seemed to always be on the L.A.
Braves), she is THE driving force behind the ‘Has Beens’ reunion every year in Laughlin.
Her personality and charm throughout the year makes sure that everyone feels welcomed
and loved. There’s no one better than Nell! And Nellie’s late husband, JACK WILSON, was
born April 7. After the passing of JOHNNY & MILLIE ROSASCO, Jack was the one who made
sure the ‘Has Beens’ newsletter continued to be filled with news about the skating family.
He spent many hours on the phone speaking with his former colleagues, was loved and is
missed by many.

GLORIA BRENDT skated with the Philadelphia Panthers back in the 40s & 50s, alongside
Bobbie Johnstone, Ann Calvello, Delores Doss, Terri Anderson, Gloria McAuliffe and Ann
Penderghast, when she was a teenager and is still one of the classiest ladies you’ll ever
come across. Gloria celebrated a birthday April 6, the same day that would have been
ROGER SCHROEDER’s birthday.

Former Bay Bomber coach, BILL ‘Three Fingers’ LAURINO, celebrated a birthday April 7, too!
This Chicago native still roots for his beloved Bears out in the Bay Area where he lives with
wife, Joanne. The Laurinos used to live in an apartment above Calvello in San Bruno, so
there was always a lot of laughter and remembrances whenever these banked track greats
got together. Happy Birthday, Bill! The fans still love you!

And April 5 would have been LEO SELTZER’s 105th birthday. All things came from the
inspiration and mind of this Seattle-born, Chicago-based promoter. No one perservered
more for the success of the sport than Leo. Skaters and fans the world over continue to
celebrate all he brought forth with his banked track creation. No one would have been
more gratified by this Forum and our remembrances than Leo.

Gary P.

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