After inspiring Lou Gehrig's fight, Kenny Stork passes

By DOUGLAS BURNS
Staff Writer

BREDA - Kenny Stork, a successful restaurateur who became a beloved presence as manager of the Carroll Municipal Golf Course, died Saturday following a community-inspiring fight with Lou Gehrig's disease.

He was 49.

Only days ago, Stork, who had worked at the course, running tournaments and handling daily duties in spite of the degenerative muscular disease, received a pay increase from the Carroll City Council based on the strong recommendation of Parks and Recreation director Jack Wardell, who said Stork remained an outstanding businessman until the end.

"Kenny, he's a wonderful individual, and he'll truly based be missed," Wardell said. "The golfers enjoyed his company. He did a great job business-wise, too. Knowing that he had this illness, Kenny still had a positive upbeat attitude."

Mr. Stork was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in November 2002. ALS eats away nerves and eventually leads to paralysis and death.

The average life expectancy is two to five years following diagnosis, but national ALS Association experts say there is really no way of knowing when the disease will claim one's life and that some people have had it for 15 to 20 years before dying. Other Lou Gehrig's victims die in less than two years.

Mr. Stork's first sign that he had the disease came when he couldn't cut his fingernails.

"Anything that comes second nature to you is missing with me," Kenny Stork said in an interview in early 2006 at his home in Breda, near the local swimming pool. "I started to notice some stuff in April or May, probably May of '02. And the doctors will tell you if you noticed it in May, you've probably had it for six months to a year before that."

In his final days, Stork, who passed at St. Anthony Regional Hospital, wore a mask on his face but was still able to communicate with family by pantomiming words with his foot on the bed.

Mr. Stork's daughter, Cortney Young of Memphis, Mo., said her father's optimism in the face of the horror that is Lou Gehrig's has taught their large family powerful life's lessons.

"I think it taught us not to give up because he didn't," Young said. "He worked as long as he could. The last day they closed the coolers he was out there."

Young, who along with her husband T.J., recently had identical twin girls, Zoe and Mya, said she kept in almost daily contact with her father in Breda over the Internet. Mr. Stork was able to use MSN Messenger until near the end of his life, she said.

Mr. Stork's wife of 24 years, Michelle, said the couple were set to celebrate that anniversary on Dec. 29.

Michelle Stork said she's already living to honor her husband, by maximizing each moment of life, with friends and family and in the workplace.

"Through my husband Ken I learned to live each day to the fullest and appreciate what I have," she said.

Added daughter Cortney, "He taught us about smiling and humor."

The Storks have established a memorial in lieu of flowers and plan as a family to remain active in the effort to find a cure for Lou Gehrig's.

"I would never want to watch someone go through this," Michelle Stork said. "I think the hardest thing was to see his muscles die - and his ability to control his hands."

Michelle assisted her husband with day-to-day activities in the last two years.

"It was hard for Ken," she said. "He never needed help with anything before."

But in those intimate moments, as she helped to feed and otherwise care for him, the Storks were able to have moments of reflection about a quarter century of shared experiences, and news about members of what has to be one of the largest extended families in western Iowa.

(For a list of survivors see Mr. Stork's obituary on Page 3 today.)

"I definitely did realize how much I did love him," Michelle (Warnke) Stork said.

A son of Matt H. and Marry Ann (Grabner) Stork, he was born June 12, 1959, at Carroll. He grew up in the Breda community and attended St. Bernard Catholic School. After his family moved to Carroll, he attended St. Lawrence School and then graduated from Kuemper High School in 1977.

After graduation in 1977, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in January 1983, at the rank of sergeant.

Following his military service, he was employed at Pella Corp. in Carroll.

On Dec. 29, 1984, he married Michelle Warnke at St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. The couple moved to Breda in 1988, where Mr. Stork and his brother, Henry Stork, purchased Zeke's Place in Breda. They operated the business until 2002, when he became manager of the Carroll Municipal Golf Course, a position he held until his death.

More than 60 years ago, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees made ALS a household name by dying from it. The popular pinstriped athlete then bequeathed his name to the disease, giving it a visibility in fund-raising and political circles that has been crucial to what progress has been made.

"Lou Gehrig made the disease famous, but he can't do a lot for me," Kenny Stork joked to the Daily Times Herald at one point during the newspaper's coverage of his fight against the disease.

The Stork family says such a one-liner wasn't uncommon from Ken.

"He always made everybody laugh," Michelle Stork said. "Ken loved life so much. He loved our family. He just loved everything. He was a very, very happy person."

Carroll Mayor Jim Pedelty said that because Stork was such a well-liked, visible presence in the city, he raised awareness about ALS and had the collective goodwill of the Carroll area behind him.

"Everybody in the city lived through and prayed for Kenny during his battle," Pedelty said. "We all hoped for a miracle. He was an institution in this town and made the golf course a much friendlier place to be."

http://www.carrollspaper.com/main.as...66&TM=47203.51

Maranacook's No. 1 fan will be missed


A GREAT FAN: Maranacook Community High School fan Peter Burbank was always encouraging athletes and students at the school with his customary phrase “Bears are awesome.” Burbank passed away last week. His life will be celebrated at 7 tonight at the Maranacook student center.

GARY HAWKINS 12/27/2008


Peter Burbank's name doesn't necessarily resonate with central Maine high school sports fans, but his persona does.

If you attended an event at Maranacook Community High School in the past several years, you probably saw him and undoubtedly heard him. Burbank was Maranacook's cheerleader, a middle-aged bespectacled gentleman who often carried a small megaphone.

His catch phrase for Maranacook students and athletes -- Bears Are Awesome -- reverberated throughout the playing fields, gymnasium and auditorium at the Readfield school.

Burbank died last week, succumbing to ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He had retired a couple of years ago and moved to Orono. Fans immediately sensed something was missing from their field hockey, basketball, baseball and soccer games.

No Burbank.

"My kids started at Maranacook in the mid '90s," Doug Boyink said. "Peter was kind of a fixture at that point. I didn't really understand what his role was. The more I got to know him, the more I got to know how much an influence he was on kids' lives."

Burbank's life will be celebrated at 7 tonight at the Maranacook student center. Friends are welcome, and he had many.

His support for the students and the school extended well beyond cheering, but that was primarily how many fans came to know him. Visiting fans would sometimes show their annoyance at Burbank's booming cheers, but he never once cheered against an opponent.

It didn't matter what the score was either. The Awesome Bears could be behind by several points, runs or goals, or for that matter ahead. In Burbank's mind they were always awesome.

"He was a great ambassador," Superintendent Rich Abramson said. "He never had an ill word for anyone."

Burbank had no children, in fact he never married. But he had a family larger than anyone's. His original involvement with students came when someone invited him to read for grandparents day at Wayne Elementary School. He was asked back and his involvement blossomed.

"It became a remarkable thing," Boyink said.

Burbank followed that particular group of kids through middle school -- he cheered at those games as well -- and into high school. He took thousands of photos, giving them to the children or their parents.

His involvement grew and Burbank spearheaded an all-sports boosters club, the first at Maranacook. It was appropriately named the Awesome Bears Society and has raised thousands of dollars for school projects, on and off the playing fields.

His greatest gift was the one he gave to the kids themselves, one of interest and self-esteem.

"By the time they graduated, he knew every kid by his first name and knew something about their family," Boyink said. "It was his family and his life."

Students dedicated a yearbook to Burbank a couple of years ago. And a student recently approached the school about naming the gymnasium in Burbank's honor. They could just as well name a room where the math team or speech and debate teams competed because Burbank was there for those events, too.

In one of his last appearances in the school gym, Burbank announced starting lineups for both teams, as he often did, prefacing his introduction of the Maranacook players by booming, "Now it's my high honor and great privilege to introduce the awesome Black Bears."

Later in the game, he went in front of the student section and started pantomiming letters as he yelled out, "Give me a B!"

The kids loved it and so did the adults.

"He was just one of those wonderful positive human beings who could take a kid who wasn't feeling great about himself and make him feel good," Boyink said.

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.co...s/5753860.html

Charles R. Anderson


Charles R. Anderson, age 67 passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon December 26, 2008 at Aurora Medical Center with his family by his side. He was born March 8, 1941 in Dodgeville, WI in Iowa County, the son of the late Harold E. and Luetta E. (Hitchcock) Anderson. On January 12, 1963 he was united in marriage to Judy A. Nitz.

He was in the United States Navy as well as a retiree of Rockwell International after 30 years. Upon his retirement he snowplowed and performed yard work for several residents in the area. He also delivered The Northwestern to residents in the Larsen, Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Wichester areas. He was a member of the Oshkosh Elks Club as well as Ducks Unlimited. He was an avid bowler, hunter and fisherman. He loved gardening of both vegetables and flowers. His grandchildren's sports and activities fulfilled his days.

He will be sorrowfully missed by his wife Judy Anderson of Oshkosh, four daughters, Linda Davis of Berlin, Carla Anderson (Troy Lind), Julie (Bruce) Gutsmiedl and Marsha (Ron) O'Bright of Oshkosh, nine grandchildren, Sean Davis (fiance' Nikki Smith), Jennifer Davis (fiance' John Bretzel), Aaron Davis, Garet and Sean Anderson-Lind, Kayla and Carissa Gutsmiedl, and Stefanie and Tiffany O'Bright. Two great grandchildren, Korbin Smith and Skylar Davis, three sisters Carol (Dallas) Vandermuse of Green Bay, Susan Nafzger of Appleton and Judy Nafzger of Fond du Lac as well as extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A commemorative service will be held at noon on Tuesday December 30, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 808 N. Main St. in Oshkosh with Pastor Ted Johanson officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

In Lieu of flowers please direct memorials to the ALS Association Wisconsin Chapter (Lou Gehrig's) and to the American Diabetes Association have been established.

Gone Away An Angel whispered take my hand and come with me your work here is done. I went away to a place where there are no tears, nor sorrow only laughter and smiles, there will always be a tomorrow. As I move amongst the clouds, I'll look down and smile upon you while the angels sing a heavenly song. I am not alone All who went before are here They awaited my arrival. I know you'll grieve and wish I was still here I am here in memories you hold dear. Remember how much I love you and know I took your love with me. I did not wish for you to cry, nor feel sad. My pain is gone and I am free! Soon you'll come to me. Until then, God will be with you just as He's with me.

Fiss & Bills

Funeral Home

865 S. Westhaven Drive

920-235-1170

www.FissBillsPoklasny.

com

SHERRYLEE PETRIL, 62
Brody's Furniture executive
December 30, 2008

Sherrylee (Brody) Petril, 62, of Margate succumbed to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, after a long and courageous battle.
Sherry was born Dec. 10, 1946, in Vineland, and was educated in the public school system in Vineland. She attended college at the Rhode Island School of Design. After finishing her education, Sherry taught students with advance skills at the Ellison School. In 1969, she joined her family furniture business, Brody's Furniture, as an interior designer and staff manager. She became vice president of the company and ran the business with her mother and father, Lois and Sidney Brody. Under her watch, Brody's Furniture was considered one of the finest furniture stores in the Delaware Valley.

In the early 1970s, Sherry was the president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Interior Design Society and was very helpful in the growth of the chapter. Sherry was a member of the board of directors of the Tri State Home Furnishings Association, based out of Philadelphia. She worked very hard in starting a charitable fund for the March of Dimes, among other charities that shehelped to benefit. Sherry has received manyawards during her career, from theTri State Home Furnishings Association as well as the Interior Design Society. Sherrywas a member of the board of directors ofthe Bay Atlantic Symphony Orchestra for the past several years. She was also a sailing enthusiast. At one time in 1962,Sherry was the Mid-Atlantic Sailing Champion, representing the Greater Wildwood Yacht Club.

Sherrylee is survivedby her husband, Robert (Bob) Petril of Margate; her three children, Tracey Shannon and husband Michael of Marlton, Susan Petril ofNaples, Fla., and Robert Petril Jr. and wife Mina of Hong Kong; her most beloved granddaughter, Adriana Shannon; and her grandson, Marco Petril. Sherrylee is also survived by her father, Sidney Brody and wife Lucette of Vineland; her brother, Melvin S. Brody of Vineland; aunt, Carmen Brody of Williams Island, Fla.; cousins, Richard and Linda Weber of Vineland; and also byseveral nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, 1024 E. Landis Ave.,Vineland, with the Rabbi Alfredo Winter officiating. Family and friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Siloam Cemetery, 550 N. Valley Ave., Vineland.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Sherrylee's name to ALS Association, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002.

Written condolences to the family may be e-mailed to wbfuneralhome@ comcast.net.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home of Vineland.

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/artic...RIES/812300322

Forres mourns Highland Games stalwart
Published: 31 December, 2008

Grant Dawson


TRIBUTES were paid last week to Forres man Grant Dawson, a long-serving member of the Forres Highland Games committee who was also involved with various clubs and groups around the town.


Mr Dawson, who was aged 74, died at his home at Forbes Road last Friday evening (December 19) with his wife, Margaret, by his side, following a battle with Motor Neurone disease.

Eldest son Neil said his father had suffered from a particularly virulent strain of the disease which had taken its toll quickly over the last few months, leaving him struggling with his speech and physical capabilities, but despite being the source of extreme frustration, it did not prevent him from doing the things he wanted to.

Prior to retirement, Mr Dawson ran a barber's business in the town for many years, in premises on Forres High Street above the current Indian takeaway.

However, he was better known for his involvement in various sporting organisations. Mr Dawson had been a keen golfer and cyclist, and was a member of Forres Cycling Club for 30 years. His passion for cycling saw him reintroduce the 'Messenger Boys' Bike Race' to the Forres Highland Games about four years ago, an event which has gone from strength to strength.

Earlier this year, he arranged the purchase of several bikes from the family of the late Sammy Fraser from Elgin, who kept dozens of them, and arranged to have them sponsored and painted up with the names of local businesses.

Former games chieftain and current president, Kenny MacDonald, said that Mr Dawson was a keep-fit fanatic and was always out walking or cycling, and did a lot of good over the years for the Forres games. He also competed in cycling events in his younger days.

"He was games treasurer for at least 25 years, and involved for many years before that, joining the committee back in 1961," he said. "He did a lot of other work for the games; he was always available to help."

He said that he was an excellent treasurer, and would be sorely missed. He said he always had the paperwork at the ready, and could answer any questions about the group's finances.

Although Mr Dawson gave up the post of treasurer earlier this year, due to his ill health, he remained involved, and just a few weeks ago he attended a committee meeting at the Carisbrooke Hotel, and even went shopping for spares for the messenger bikes, which will be back in action at the 2009 event.

Highland Games colleague, Mike Scott, said that Mr Dawson would be sorely missed and had been a person you could always rely on.

"If you needed something doing, he would do it," said Mike. "If he couldn't, he would know someone he could get to do it instead."

Mr Dawson was also a keen supporter of Forres Mechanics Football Club, and enjoyed attending matches right up until a few weeks before his death. He had been asked to serve on the committee, but was unable to, due to his commitments with other local sporting groups. He was also a keen member of the caravaning fraternity, and used to go away at weekends, especially to watch golf tournaments around the country.

Mr Dawson is survived by his wife, Margaret, and their three children: sons Neil and Ian and daughter Mhairi, and five grandchildren, as well as by a sister, Moira.

His funeral was held on Christmas Eve in St Laurence Parish Church. Contributions were made to local charities.

http://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news..._stalwart.html

Roger Albert Hoilman

Bakersville - Roger Albert Hoilman, 57, of Old Hughes Gap Road, Bakersville, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at his home. He was a truck driver with McClure Construction Company in Spruce Pine. He was a member of Mine Creek Baptist Church and attended Roans Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. He was a member and past master of Bakersville Masonic Lodge #357 AF&AM, and a member of The Mountaineer Shrine Club and also a member of Order of Eastern Star Chapter 29.

Survivors include his father, Horace Hoilman of Bakersville; wife, Katherine B. Hoilman of the home; daughter, Penny H. Brinkley and husband, Nathan, also of Bakersville; one grandchild, Bailey Brinkley.

The funeral service will be held 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, in the chapel of Henline Hughes Funeral Home, with Paul Ault, Lester Perkins, and J. C. Sheets officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 1, at Campbell Cemetery, with Bakersville Masonic Lodge conducting Masonic Rites and serving as Pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital For Children 950 West Faris Rd Greeneville, SC 29605.

Henline Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Hoilman family. Condolences:

Phone (828) 688-4813, Fax (828) 688-3187, Email info@henline-hughes.com

Gloria Jean Garcia (1959-2008)
January 1, 2009

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Gloria Jean Garcia, 49 of Windsor, passed away peacefully December 25, 2008.
Gloria was diagnosed with ALS in December 2007. She received a tremendous amount of support from family and friends.

Gloria was born in Longmont to Jennie E. (Abeyta) and Joe B. Garcia on March 8, 1959.
Gloria lived with her husband and youngest daughter in Windsor. She was a CNA for 14 years and worked at the local nursing home in Windsor. She also worked for Eastman Kodak for six years as an Operator, and spent the last 10 years as a home keeper.

Gloria is survived by husband of 35 years Anthony J. Aragon; daughters Angela Aragon and AnaMaria Aragon; grandsons Isaac Aragon and Marquis Aragon; son-in-law Fernando Medina; mother Jennie E. Garcia, four sisters, and two brothers.

Recitation of rosary at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Valley, 1250 7th St., Windsor.

Burial will be at Foothills Garden of Memory in Longmont, off of U.S. Highway 287. Viewing from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Viegut Funeral Home, 1616 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland.

Gloria will be missed dearly and she will always be known as “our guardian angel.”

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20...N1006/81230027

CRICKET: Pathfinder Ken Timms dies



Published Date: 31 December 2008
POPULAR local bowler and cricketer Ken Timms died aged 75 on Christmas Eve.
Ken, who died three months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, played cricket for Pathfinder from the 1950s until the 1980s, and was a successful bowler for Tarring Priory and West Sussex Tourists.

With Priory, Ken reached the Nation


al Fours quarter-finals, twice won the Sussex Fours title with Chris Rolph, Keith Renwick and Eric Farrell, and lifted numerous club titles.

West Sussex Bowls Touring Club president Cecil Wadey said: "Ken was a highly-respected member of West Sussex Bowls Touring Club.

"He worked tirelessly on behalf of the club and served on the committee for many years.

"He was our captain for two years in 1997 and 1998, and was elected president in 2002 and served in this office for the next three years.

"He also toured on 18 occasions on behalf of the club.

"Ken was an excellent member and will be sorely missed.

"As president, I would like to pass on the club's deep-felt sympathies to his wife, Joan, and his family."

Ken was also a member of Sussex County Cricket Club, and regularly went to games with his wife, Joan, whom he met through cricket as Joan's brother, Brian Dumigan, also played for Pathfinder.

His sons, Ian and Paul, both play cricket for Worthing Foresters, along with Ken's grandsons, Ben and Joe.

The funeral will take place on January 16 at Worthing Crematorium at 2.20pm. All donations to go to the Sussex Young Cricketers Educational Trust, which helps youth development.

http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.u...ies.4836154.jp

Nicholas Salvatore Scandone
Champion
March 3, 1966-January 2, 2009



US Sailing Gold Medallist Nick Scandone - Sharing the Good

'An elated Nick Scandone arrives home' Lynn Fitzpatrick Click Here to view large photo
He woke up, looked at his wife, Mary Kate, took his oxygen mask off, gave her a kiss and told her that he loved her. He put the oxygen mask back on and passed away.

Nick Scandone was clear and deliberate about a lot of things and one of them was that he did not want to be remembered for his declining state of health.

He wanted to be remembered for his accomplishments throughout his life. His last moments, however, sum it all up. Nick always seemed to do the right thing, especially when it came to family and friends.

For years he focused on a Gold Medal. It kept him alive. It gave many of us, especally his supporters at Balboa Yacht Club, a champion. Mary Kate was always his number one admirer and was with him through thick and thin.

Two of his most ardent supporters, his mother, who introduced him to sailing, and his sister passed away before seeing Nick achieve his dream. His bonds with his father and his brother, flourished as his physical state weakened and his resolve grew.

Nick's extended family expanded to a worldwide community of sailors and people who recognized him as a hero, a champion in life who looked death in the face everyday for six and a half years.

Before Nick left for the Paralympics he said that he was looking forward to returning home to peace and quiet and sharing his medal with his friend and family 'because in the end, they are what is important.'


Gold medallist in the SKUD18 Maureen McKinnon-Tucker and Nick Scandone of USA celebrate - 2008 Paralympics - Qingdao - Sailing2008.com
His band of family, friends and coaches trailed his 500-pound wheelchair around the Olympic Village in Qingdao, China this summer and all of the other SKUD 18's , followed Nick and Maureen McKinnon Tucker around the race course.

Each day the duo distanced themselves from the rest of the fleet, mathematically winning the Gold Medal without needing to sail the last two races of the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta.

Everyone routed for Nick; even his competitors. Unprecedented at any Medal Ceremony, all six SKUD 18 Medalists clasped hands and accepted applause from the crowd in unison.

Nick shared the ups with all and sheltered us from the downs. Nick Scandone did just what he set his mind to do. He won the Gold. He shared his victory with friends, family and the rest of the world. He, Mary Kate, Vince (his brother) and Mike Pinckney (his coach) returned to Newport Beach, CA to a hero's welcome at the airport and at Balboa Yacht Club. Everywhere Nick went, whether it was to a Ducks hockey game, a UCI alumni even a sailing clinic - he was an inspiration and he shared his winning ways.


Nick Scandone and Maureen Mckinnon-Tucker on their way to winning a Gold medal in Qingdao - Lynn Fitzpatrick Click Here to view large photo



Nick Scandone

1988 Sabot National Champion
1988 Collegiate Nation Champion (UCI)
1988 Collegiat All American
1991 470 North American Champion
2004 Independence Cup Champion
2005 Independence Cup Champion
2005 2.4 Meter World Champion (Open Class)
2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year
2007 IFDS World Champion - SKUD 18
2008 Paralympic Gold Medalist - SKUD 18
2008 US Sailing Yachtsman of the Year Nominee

A friend, a sailor, an inspiration, a winner and a tremendous loss to all.


Nick Scandone and Maureen Mckinnon-Tucker after winning the Gold medla in the SKUD 18 class - 2008 Paralympics, Qingdao - Dan Tucker Click Here to view large photo

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Paralympic Gold Medallist Nick SCANDONE Loses Battle With ALS

US SAILING News


US Paralympic gold medallist Nick SCANDONE, 42, passed away Friday, after a long battle with ALS, also commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Nick SCANDONE won a coveted gold medal with teammate Maureen MCKINNON-TUCKER (USA) in the Two-Person Keelboat - SKUD18 event at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition in Qingdao, China, this past summer.

“The sport of sailing has lost a great competitor and the most inspirational person most of us will ever know,” said Dean BRENNER, Chairman of US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing Program. “Words can’t describe the pride so many people felt watching Nick take the last few steps towards his dream in China last summer. He was a gold medallist on and off the water, and we’ll miss him dearly.”

SCANDONE beat the odds of his disease by not only being strong enough to compete at the 2008 Paralympic Games, but by winning the gold medal a day early, with two races left to go. “It’s been such a long road to get [to the 2008 Games],” said SCANDONE after he won. “It’s emotionally overwhelming for me to finally realize my goal.”
There were countless days filled with doubt, exhaustion and adversity, but he and MCKINNON-TUCKER met each challenge with incredible strength and determination. SCANDONE was a US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics member, named US SAILING’s 2008 Sportsman of the Year, nominated for US SAILING’s 2008 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtsman of the Year award and winner of US SAILING’s 2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award.

For more information and background on Nick SCANDONE, please click here read his bio on the US SAILING website.

http://www.sailing.org/26602.php

Auto racing world loses a local legend in Dan Ryan

The Elko Speedway Hall of Fame member was robbed of his mobility by ALS, but he never lost his spirit -- or his enthusiasm for auto racing.

By DAVID LA VAQUE, dlavaque @ startribune.com

Last update: January 2, 2009 - 9:18 PM
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Dan Ryan's eyes never betrayed him, even as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) robbed him of mobility and limited his breathing.

"He could still give you that nasty stare," said Alison Gilbertson, Dan's daughter.

Ryan, 48, an automobile racing enthusiast and member of the Elko Speedway Hall of Fame, died Friday of complications from ALS. He is survived by wife Lisa and their children Alison, Jake and Dan Jr.

The 2000s marked Ryan's fourth decade of both attending and participating in events at Elko Speedway, dubbed his "Family Vacation Home." He began racing Thunder Cars in 1991 and progressed through the local circuit.

Upon his retirement in 2003, he used his knowledge to help sons Jake and Patrick reach new heights in their racing careers. Racing for DPR Motorsports, Jake was named the 2004 Super Late Model Rookie of the Year while Dan Jr. won the 2008 Thunder Car season championship.

Not long after being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in December 2005, Dan Sr. depended on a motorized scooter to get around Elko Speedway as fulfill his duties as head of the DPR Motorsports team. ALS is a fatal neurological condition caused by the degeneration of nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.

On cold nights last racing season, he sat in a van parked where he could see the track and watch his sons compete. And he became more dependent on a breathing apparatus.

"The hardest thing about ALS is that Dad's mind and spirit were still the same, he just couldn't move," Gilbertson said. "At our family's New Year's Eve party he was talking to one of my brother's friends about racing."

Ryan was inducted into the Elko Speedway Hall of Fame on May 17, the latest in a string of life accomplishments. He was named homecoming king at Rosemount High School in 1978. His brother, Marc, said Dan was "a self-taught master plumber at age 22."

Dan's father, John, helped start Genz-Ryan, a local heating, plumbing and cooling company in 1950.

Gilbertson, with the help of friends and family, founded "A Race Worth Winning," a nonprofit organization seeking to educate the public about ALS while raising money for ALS-related causes. The organization raised $40,000 last year.

"He touched so many people through racing," Gilbertson said. "There were about 50 people in a 12-by-12 hospital room with him at the end."



http://www.startribune.com/sports/mo...L7PQLanchO7DiU