New updates, identifications, corrections, February 2023

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Bobby Carroll, AABL -  Died January 31, 2022

Steve Chuba, AABL - Died May 16, 2022

Arnie Ferrin, BAA, NBA, ABL-AAU - Died December 27, 2022

Mike Linkovich, AABL - Died December 4, 2022

Robert Salen, ABL-AAU - Died October 20, 2022

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Jack Adie, ABL-AAU

Jack Riesmuller, ABL

CORRECTED:

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Mushy Silver, ABL-AAU, is listed as deceased by some on-line address sources, but no date to be found. Living in San Bruno, California, with his wife Dorothy Irne Larkin, as of 2009

New updates, identifications, corrections, November 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Gene Stump, NBA - Died in 2014

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Martie Goldstein, ABL

CORRECTED:

Gene Stump, NBA - Birthdate corrected to August 9, 1925

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

New updates, identifications, corrections, October 2022

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Rollie Seltz (NBL, NPBL, NBA) - Died October 13, 2022

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Vernel "Hap" Smith, AABL

CORRECTED:

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

New updates, identifications, corrections, September 2022

 Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Don Delaney, AABL (AAU)  - Added date of death

Marshall Fox, ABL (AAU) - Added date of death

Don Seidel, ABL (AAU) - Added date of death

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Red Fitzsimmons, ABL

CORRECTED:

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

Al Biolsi, ABL - Might be living in New York.

Mike DiTomasso, ABL - possibly the player listed simply as "Ditomonsin"

In Memoriam: Red Fitzsimmons (ABL)

Red Fitzsimmons (1932-2022)

James “Red” Fitzsimmons, 89, of Forest City, died Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Forest City Nursing and Rehab Center. His wife of 55 years, Janet Beautz Fitzsimmons died in 2010.

Born October 2, 1932, in Forest City, he was the son of the late Francis and Alice Walsh Fitzsimmons. Jim graduated from St. Rose High School and attended East Stroudsburg University. At St. Rose, he was an outstanding basketball player who helped advance the team to the 1951 State Championship game. He played semi-professionally for the Scranton Miners and was inducted into the Chic Feldman Foundation Scranton Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for his basketball accomplishments.

Prior to retirement, Jim was the owner of the Fitzsimmons Insurance Agency, starting his career in 1957 and spanning over 50 years. He was a member of Ascension Parish, Forest City, their Holy Name Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Jim enjoyed making chicken on the grill and soups in the kitchen, but his holiday stuffing was a family favorite. His love of travel and camping with his wife, children and friends led him on many trips throughout the U.S. and internationally. Jim was an enthusiastic fan of Drum & Bugle competitions and enjoyed following NCAA basketball. He was a devoted family man that will be greatly missed.

He is survived by three sons James and wife Mary, Browndale; Francis and wife Lorri, Lancaster; and Brian and wife Kristina, Browndale; Two daughters Kathleen and husband Joseph Sterchak, Collegeville, PA; and Maureen and husband Wayne Franco, West Chester, PA; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Logan, Daniel, Matthew, Sara, Benjamin, Emily, Lauren, Jacob and Cooper; four great grandchildren Julianna, Abigail, Owen, and Lucas; several brothers/sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Also preceded in death by four brothers Joseph, Thomas, Robert and Edward; four sisters Rosemary Novak, Ann Turner, Alice Kulick, and Carol Flynn.

Funeral will be Friday at 9:30 from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment in St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City. Viewing on Thursday 5-8 pm and Friday from 9 am until time of funeral.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jim's name to St. Joseph's Center Foundation, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.

In Memoriam: Frank Otway (NBL)

Frank Otway (1923-2022)

Frank H. Otway, married to the love of his life, Isabel

"Tommie" Otway for 80 years, formerly of Springfield, born 3/1/1923, passed peacefully at home in Orange City, FL, on 4/21/2022, at 99 years old. He joins in Heaven his 5 children, Dale, Gary, Christine, Lyris and Robert, his 3 grandchildren, Glenn, Elaine, Nicole and

a great-grandchild, Tori. He leaves behind daughter-in-law, Leigh, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grands, 2 great-greats and his love of Basketball.

US Marine Corp 1943-1946, Coached Marine's 8th Services basketball team - Won Armed Forces Olympics, losing only one game! Rider Univ. Graduate 1951. Retired from Schaefer's Wholesale Bakery as President and CEO.

Proudly served his community as a member of Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Junior Achievement; Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Ohio Bakers Association; Tri-State Bakers Club; Rotary Club of Springfield; American Society of Bakery Engineers; American Bakers Association; VP Tecumseh Council Boy Scouts of America; Oakland Presbyterian Church-Board of Trustees; Springfield Symphony-Board of Trustees; United Way; Director-Banc Ohio/ First National Bank; Director-Sweet Manufacturing Co; St. Johns Nursing Home - Board of Trustees; Chairman Clark County Republican Party; Member - Northminster Presbyterian Church

In Memoriam: Les Rothman (ABL, NBL)

Les Rothman (1926-2022)

Rothman was a captain at LIU and played in both the ABL and NBL as well as playing minor league baseball. He was the last surviving member of the 1946-47 NBL CHampion Chicago American Gears.

According to my records, only 7 players from the NBL survive.

ROTHMAN--Lester. August 12, 1926 - July 27, 2022. Beloved son of Sol and Anna Rothman, brother of Lillian Kulick and Ruth Barry, husband of Dr. Beulah Gordon Rothman and Doris Hazelcorn Rothman (all deceased). Captain of the LIU Basketball team, professional basketball and baseball player, Principal of Roslyn Junior High School and Assistant Principal New York City School System, Director of Camp Louemma & Camp Willoway. Dedicated to educating children, a caring mentor to teachers and staff, known for his kind temperament, remarkable intelligence, and warmth. Devoted to daughters Abby M. Rothman and Meah Tell, grandchildren David Tell (Emily) and Shoshana Tell (David Gottlieb), and identical-twin great-grandsons Avi and Ilan Gottlieb-Tell. Survived by loving companion Sydelle Apfel. Burial at 3:00pm, Sunday, July 31, 2022 Mount Hebron Cemetery, Queens, New York. Contributions in his memory can be made to Beulah Rothman Endowed Scholarship Fund.