Gee and I must have met around the time I started at Markham in the 2nd grade after my family moved from Howe school district. We lived on Ordale, the Peckichs lived on Spaulding Circle. Five boys, no girls. The inside of their house was like no other in my experience: the latest in 70s decor, except for the basement, where we would listen to a stereo. Mr. P. owned a Bentley or similar. All the Peckichs were sharp dressers. A large tent set up in the backyard for a big sleepover (attended by whom? Bonello, Byron, Camel, Haymaker, McHugh, among others?) must have been removed as an eyesore as soon as the distinguished guests were gone.
Gee excelled at every sport. He was a natural, but also trained hard. Here’s a compelling scene for connoisseurs of pre-teen male games: Gee and Phil on hands and knees pushing/slapping around the small wood «puck» used in the «hockey» invented for our small basement on cracked, uneven tiles and a drain to avoid. For more about Gee's athletic skills, this time as one of the stars of the 1977 Lebo soccer team, visit:
https://lebosoccer1977.net/index.html
An incomplete list of sports we enjoyed: baseball (in the pic I am on the right in the back, next to me is Gee), basketball, boxing, football, ice skating at South Park, sledding at Spaulding Circle and elsewhere (if someone had a lead, we trekked toward it, sleds in tow), street hockey, wrestling. Gee was a golfer too, iirc.
The class, or many in it, may remember that Gee and Phil hosted a graduation party at Rolling Hills Country Club. Kudos to them for a great evening.
Although we spent so much time together, Gee was mostly a mystery to me. One reason: he was a «ladies man», which I wasn’t. At Markham, he «dated» Sandy Bloomfield, an enviable achievement. At Mellon, Nancy DeMartin. I don’t remember the names after that. At parties, Gee would vanish to other parties.
Here’s an anecdote I don’t relish, but document because it is somewhat telling about the kind of person Gee was. At junior-high wrestling practice (Mellon), very upset about something Gee had done, I confronted him with the ludicrous claim that I could deck him «with one punch». Practically in tears as I shouted it, I will never forget the look of pity Gee gave me. He smiled. He hesitated. Knowing well that nobody present believed me, he didn’t want to add to my humiliation by decking me with one punch. But, yes, he did, leaving me gasping for air after one strategic blow to the chest. He could have walked away, but I didn’t blame him for not doing so. I was the fool either way, and he didn’t prolong my pain. The hesitation, the smile, the look of pity/regret: they have stayed with me. I hadn’t seen Gee since our early 20s. I have a soft spot for him. He died in Atlanta, where he was living with a daughter. There was no obit.
If, as I hope, more memories and photos surface, I will add them here.
I knew "G" my whole life. Our dads played football together back in the day for the Brookline Royals. They remained friends and after marriage and kids still great friends. I loved going to their house, their mom fussed over me being the only girl. I have a brother, plus his 4. We had a lot of fun watching Chiller Theater on Saturdays. Riding in their Bentley was so cool. In high school I didn't really hang with his crowd but he was always nice to me and I knew if I needed anything that Phil or "G" would be there. I'm sad that he passed. I wish his family sympathy and peace. I will always remember us being just like family. Sincerely with love, Suzy Cibrone. 💕💋
I am sorry to hear of Gee's passing. He was a great man. I remember doing wind sprints with him when I was on JV Track in 1978. We would run up the hill to Mount Lebanon Park. and do 10 sprints. It felt so good. I remember running 660s with the Conover Brothers and puking on the track. I ran the high hurdles with Craig Skelly and David Delow. I remember running cross-country in the snow and having to quit because of starting smoking again. Those are all the days I will cherish and never forget. I remember Lucette Raevens, my girlfriend at the time, watching me run track with Tammy Coyne. I remember Jethro Tull's Aqualung etc.......
Also very sad to hear about Gee's passing. I had fond memories of playing football with both Gee and Phil and enjoyed being around such amazing atheletes! Despite both brothers being such standouts they always were nice and respectful to me even after I dropped off the football team...
I enjoyed seeing both Gee and Phil at our 30th HS reunion (my last trip to Mt Lebo) and was shocked hearing that both Gee and Scott Norton recently passed away. Confirms that we all need to appreciate the time we have all had together and the time we have while we are still here on earth living! My thoughts and prayers go out to Phil and Gee's other surviving family members.
Greg Hohman
Gee and I must have met around the time I started at Markham in the 2nd grade after my family moved from Howe school district. We lived on Ordale, the Peckichs lived on Spaulding Circle. Five boys, no girls. The inside of their house was like no other in my experience: the latest in 70s decor, except for the basement, where we would listen to a stereo. Mr. P. owned a Bentley or similar. All the Peckichs were sharp dressers. A large tent set up in the backyard for a big sleepover (attended by whom? Bonello, Byron, Camel, Haymaker, McHugh, among others?) must have been removed as an eyesore as soon as the distinguished guests were gone.
Gee excelled at every sport. He was a natural, but also trained hard. Here’s a compelling scene for connoisseurs of pre-teen male games: Gee and Phil on hands and knees pushing/slapping around the small wood «puck» used in the «hockey» invented for our small basement on cracked, uneven tiles and a drain to avoid. For more about Gee's athletic skills, this time as one of the stars of the 1977 Lebo soccer team, visit:
https://lebosoccer1977.net/index.html
An incomplete list of sports we enjoyed: baseball (in the pic I am on the right in the back, next to me is Gee), basketball, boxing, football, ice skating at South Park, sledding at Spaulding Circle and elsewhere (if someone had a lead, we trekked toward it, sleds in tow), street hockey, wrestling. Gee was a golfer too, iirc.
The class, or many in it, may remember that Gee and Phil hosted a graduation party at Rolling Hills Country Club. Kudos to them for a great evening.
Although we spent so much time together, Gee was mostly a mystery to me. One reason: he was a «ladies man», which I wasn’t. At Markham, he «dated» Sandy Bloomfield, an enviable achievement. At Mellon, Nancy DeMartin. I don’t remember the names after that. At parties, Gee would vanish to other parties.
Here’s an anecdote I don’t relish, but document because it is somewhat telling about the kind of person Gee was. At junior-high wrestling practice (Mellon), very upset about something Gee had done, I confronted him with the ludicrous claim that I could deck him «with one punch». Practically in tears as I shouted it, I will never forget the look of pity Gee gave me. He smiled. He hesitated. Knowing well that nobody present believed me, he didn’t want to add to my humiliation by decking me with one punch. But, yes, he did, leaving me gasping for air after one strategic blow to the chest. He could have walked away, but I didn’t blame him for not doing so. I was the fool either way, and he didn’t prolong my pain. The hesitation, the smile, the look of pity/regret: they have stayed with me. I hadn’t seen Gee since our early 20s. I have a soft spot for him. He died in Atlanta, where he was living with a daughter. There was no obit.
If, as I hope, more memories and photos surface, I will add them here.
Susan Cibrone (Manning)
I knew "G" my whole life. Our dads played football together back in the day for the Brookline Royals. They remained friends and after marriage and kids still great friends. I loved going to their house, their mom fussed over me being the only girl. I have a brother, plus his 4. We had a lot of fun watching Chiller Theater on Saturdays. Riding in their Bentley was so cool. In high school I didn't really hang with his crowd but he was always nice to me and I knew if I needed anything that Phil or "G" would be there. I'm sad that he passed. I wish his family sympathy and peace. I will always remember us being just like family. Sincerely with love, Suzy Cibrone. 💕💋
Mark Heike
I am sorry to hear of Gee's passing. He was a great man. I remember doing wind sprints with him when I was on JV Track in 1978. We would run up the hill to Mount Lebanon Park. and do 10 sprints. It felt so good. I remember running 660s with the Conover Brothers and puking on the track. I ran the high hurdles with Craig Skelly and David Delow. I remember running cross-country in the snow and having to quit because of starting smoking again. Those are all the days I will cherish and never forget. I remember Lucette Raevens, my girlfriend at the time, watching me run track with Tammy Coyne. I remember Jethro Tull's Aqualung etc.......
Adam L. Bachrach
Also very sad to hear about Gee's passing. I had fond memories of playing football with both Gee and Phil and enjoyed being around such amazing atheletes! Despite both brothers being such standouts they always were nice and respectful to me even after I dropped off the football team...
I enjoyed seeing both Gee and Phil at our 30th HS reunion (my last trip to Mt Lebo) and was shocked hearing that both Gee and Scott Norton recently passed away. Confirms that we all need to appreciate the time we have all had together and the time we have while we are still here on earth living! My thoughts and prayers go out to Phil and Gee's other surviving family members.
Maugeen McGrath (Stark)
Has anyone seen the obituary? If so, please post.
I'm only seeing an obit fit his Father, "G's" namesake, who passed in 2005.
Thank you,
~Maugeen 💙💛