Forgive me for posting this on the Sports Board rather than the back room, but I think more folks look here. I just heard from Gerry Lawrence's sister and he passed away in his sleep yesterday morning. He will be having an autopsy but probably was heart or stroke. I talked to his wife Candi and to Josh...plans are not yet finalized for services. Not sure if they will be in Elkhart or Toledo, but probably Elkhart. I will post any further info. Stu
Shocking news, Gerry was really a good guy who was always fun to be around. Even though I haven't seen Gerry in a few years I'll miss him a lot. Gerry aka G by the Dome, was the original contact for all the ND fans who wanted to get together in South Bend for a game. Me, JO'Co, Stephen Finn, Sid, Malloy, and a few others. He had the inside to get us a coveted table at the fabled MBC in Mishiwaka. Without Gerry there would have been no Prodigy get togethers at Notre Dame games. He had a big heart and was always a gracious host! I'm not sure how old Gerry was, I talked to Stu and he said he thought he was early 60's. RIP G-Man, you were the best! Terry
Never met G-Man. Remember him mostly from the pre-Skybox days since he didn't post a lot here. Sorry to hear of his passing.
The two most legendary posters are gone now from the Prodigy days. Todd is gone and now Gerry. Both were well known for their fondness of beer, and met once on neutral turf. I wish I had saved Todds account of trying to keep up with Gerry. It was epic and entertaining.
Sorry to the sad news about Gerry. I will always remember his enthusiasm for the Buckeyes. Gman, Wanda McPeek and myself use to have some great times on Prodigy discussing Ohio State Sports.
Gerry became more of a lurker than a poster but whenever we talked he always knew what was going on in The Skybox. We got together a couple of times a year and talked several times by phone. I will really miss him.
:cry: Oh my God... I am so very sad. Loved that man he was a great friend just relayed mesg to Joco both of us are in shock I am sure he will get on later he has some great stories maybe he will share them ... God Rest His Soul... he was a very good man he will be missed I know he and Jim spoke often via E-Mail. Candy and his family are in myheart and prayers
:cry: This is the real price that we pay for Skybox. I used wonder, way back in the old Prodigy days, "How will this all end?" Since the internet goes on forever and we don't, the answer was obvious; we would all watch each other die off one at a time. So be it. The friendship was worth the price. Gerry Lawrence was a special guy who genuinely loved other people. Everywhere I went with him, people came up to shake his hand and have a word with him. Whether it was at the bar or at the bank; his friends and admirers were legion. It was Gerry who organized the first pub crawls for us Irish fans. He even had souvenir t-shirts made up for the occassion at his own expense. He acted as our tour guide in the South Bend area, which for Californians like me was invaluable. He invited us to dinner at his home on every visit and gave us the grand tour of his lair in the basement; a small office attached to a shrine, which was dedicated to all the things that he admired, from John Wayne to Ohio State. He was a railroad man and he loved that too. He dropped out of college to take the railroad job and he never regretted it. I have several other friends like him out here who did the same thing. He was as loyal to his job as he was to his friends and family. Remember the time that I lost my wallet in Chicago? Gerry went back with me to look for it...100 miles away. It took us all night, riding around the big city, raising hell like a couple of teenagers, drinking and making accusations at various rental cars lots. We didn't even arrive back in Elkhart until the next morning...where Gerry took me to his bank and presented me with a loan for $500 bucks that I had never asked for. What a guy! This one hurts. G-by-the-Dome was one-of-a-kind. A man who lived for making other people happy and whose loyalty was never questioned by any who knew him. He was a nice guy; a good man; and a good friend... ...........JO'Co
Great eulogy. I nevver made his acquaintance but remeber him back to the Prodigy days. Rest in peace.
I'm very sad to hear about Gerry. I recall getting a call at my office maybe 15 yrs. ago from someone named Gerry. I didn't ring a bell at all. Then he said "G by the Dome" and the light went on. He was in Detroit on some railroad business (I think) and we got together to hoist a few. Like the others I always appreciated his hosting our get togethers especially at the MBC (it's gone too.) He was special. RIP Gerry. :cry:
Seems like he was a helluva guy. Too bad I didn't know him. Reminds me of an old Irishman friend of mine up in Detroit named Gerry Kelly who was a guy you wanted to know....and hoist a few with.
Very saddened to read this and even more saddened that I did not have the opportunity to meet him. Gerry's banter with me on Prodigy and here was always good natured about the OSU/M rivalry and funny as it is with all of the great Buckeye folks on this BB. My condolences to his family and to all of you on SB who personally knew him as a friend
Terrible, terrible news......RIP G! I had the good fortune to hook up with G several times for "pre-game warmups" at the Varsity Club in Columbus in the shadow of the stadium. I will remember each and every occasion fondly. Great stories, lots of laughs over many beers, special personalities on this forum and of course a shared love for our Buckeyes. God Bless you G....we shall miss you.
Services will be Thursday in Elkhart...I think at the funeral home. Visiting hours at 5, Service at 7.