Wayne Blasutta Passes - Obit by Rick Graham

It is with incredible sadness that I report that my dear friend and former handball partner, Wayne Blasutta, passed away on January 8, 2011 at the age of 69. At the time of his death he had been living in Scottsdale, Arizona enjoying the sun, the handball courts and the surrounding golf courses. Wayne retired in 2003 after selling his businesses, Northwood Engineering, Skandia Furniture and the Rug Emporium in Michigan. I have never met a man with more zest for life than Wayne. He was always upbeat and on-the-move. Wayne travelled the globe on business and for personal pleasure and I had the opportunity to accompany him to France, Italy and Switzerland in 1984. It was one of the best vacations of my life and, through Wayne, had been planned out to the nth degree as was his wont. Wayne loved handball and played throughout his life. I was honored to have been his partner for several years and together we won many local tournaments. In 1989, Wayne and I won the 3-Rivers Invitational Masters title in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Wayne had also been the club champion at the Fairlane Club in Dearborn, Michigan for five straight years from 1982-1987.

On August 1, 2004, Wayne married the love of his life, Barbara Demman, on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Although Karel and I were unable to attend, the picture of the wedding and the location was incredibly beautiful. Wayne and Barbara enjoyed seven years of wedded bliss and were devoted to each other.

About twenty months ago, Wayne was diagnosed with brain cancer, similar to that of the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Wayne fought the bravest and most valiant fight of his life and endured two cranial surgeries, two radio surgeries, IV chemotherapy and many other treatment protocols, refusing to yield to this insidious disease. He, unfortunately, lost that fight on Saturday the 8th of January. Wayne donated his body to the University of Arizona for research and Barbara is planning a life celebration on Saturday the 15th of January in Scottsdale at the Bellasera Club House. More details will follow. I humbly ask all of you that knew Wayne to remember him and Barbara in your prayers.

Rick Graham

Rev. William J. McGoldrick (longtime handball player) passes

Rev. William J. McGoldrick (longtime handball player) passed away January 8, 2011 at the age of 91. Visitation Monday 5:00-9:00PM at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack, Grosse Pointe and Tuesday 4:00-8:00PM at St. Edmund Catholic Church, 14025 12 Mile, Warren. Funeral Wednesday 11 AM Mass at St. Edmunds.

Killshot Correction

NEWSLETTER correction: It was erroneously reported that in the Super Masters Division of The 2010 State of Michigan 3 Wall Doubles that the team of Graham/Lowe beat Valentino/Young in the semi-finals.

This was NOT the case.

In a match that resulted in an arm injury to Graham and a serious back injury to Young, Valentino/Young DEFEATED Graham/Lowe in the semi-finals. In the finals, Michael/Luchovitz defeated Valentino/Young....

The Editor apologizes for this error. The appropriate parties will be suitably punished.

Dale Chimenti Editor

The KILLSHOT Goes Digital

Effective with this edition of the KILLSHOT, the Michigan Handball Association will now be publishing our much heralded newsletter in full-color and available EXCLUSIVELY online.

CLICK HERE to read the new KILLSHOT.

In an effort to “Green Up” both environmentally and financially, we will no longer mail a hard copy to our readers.

No more standing at the mailbox waiting for your copy!

No more digging through old papers to find a previous edition!

The fall/winter 2010 edition will be posted on this website within the next week.

As always, we hope you enjoy….the KILLSHOT

Dale Chimenti
KILLSHOT Editor
MHA Vice President

Bill Sidebottom Jr. & Angus McIntyre Win Belle Isle A-Z Doubles

Competition in the Motorvation Belle Isle 2010 A-Z Double finished Monday, Sept. 12. The rain-interrupted event, which tragically saw the loss of our fellow player Marv Burke [see tribute below], saw the team of Bill Sidebottom Jr. and Angus McIntyre win a hard fought match over Rick Leonard and Bob Kozak.

Bob Kozak, Rick Leonard, Bill Sidebottom, Jr. and Angus McIntyre

Special thanks to Bob Kozak for organizing this always fun and exciting summer season-ending event and to Motorvation Drive in providing its sponsorship for the second straight year.

Marv Burke In Memoriam

We are saddened to announce that Marv Burke passed away on the Belle Isle Handball Courts during competition in the Belle Isle A-Z Doubles Tournament. Valiant efforts were made to save him by CPR by follow players Ken Dziuba, Larry Rueben, Kyle Casey, Stewart Shevin and Brian Callahan who worked so hard to save him during the time it took the EMS to arrive.

Bill Cantwell wrote the following.

Perhaps you have heard that Marv Burke passed away this past weekend. Marv was an avid supporter of Michigan Handball and will truly be missed. Here is the obituary and funeral arrangements:

Marvin Edward Burke, age 76. June 1, 1934 to September 11, 2010. An avid sailor, athlete, and barbershopper. He is survived by his loving fiancée Peggy Ann Grover; children, Juli Lynn (Duke Kunkler) Burke, the late Edward Paul Burke and Karyn Burke (Richard) Whitcomb; granddaughter Alexandria Phelps; sisters, Mary Ann (Sam) Adams and Nancy (Hank) Bruggeman; brother Ronald (Peggy) Burke; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by countless friends who enriched his life. Marvin is predeceased by his parents Mary Ellen and Edward Samuel Burke, his adoptive father John T. Janisse and his sister Martha.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 16, from 3- 8 p.m., with a barbershop prayer service at 7 p.m. at Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 30205 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores.

Motorvation Belle Isle 2010 A-Z Tournament

Sept. 11 Belle Isle Motorvation 2010 A-Z Tournament Pairings
Sponsored by Motorvation Drive

Note from the Commissioner Bob Kozak: "Starting times for the 1st 6 matches will be 9 AM Sat. If any 1st round matches can be played on Wed it will help the congestion on Sat morning."

Click picture below for clearer view.