(8/01/04 - Binghamton)
Win
Warner... for those of us connected to this
hockey community, we'll never forget you.
I
say that as I look around waiting for
something to hit me in the head or a gust of
wind to make a sound resembling "hey Mac"
as he often called me. If you didn't know
him, you missed out. Let me attempt to do him
justice without being so sentimental, that
he'd have hit me...
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- Beyond
the players and refs, coaches and fans, there
is a group of diligent and dedicated off-ice
officials at the Arena. They do the often
thankless and unrecognized work that benefits
us all and the game of hockey.
For
countless years, that band of men (and now
also ladies) was led by Win Warner. He
cordinated who kept score sheets and shots,
worked the scoreboard, manned the penalty box
doors and in the early years he himself was
often found behind the mic as PA announcer.
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| - Not only was he
affiliated with our professional teams, but
he had worked with and served as President of
the Southern Tier Hockey Association. He was
a softball umpire and was respected in local
business circles. I knew his family as well,
not only through hockey, but the Chenango
Forks School District, wife Sandy, daughter
Jodi and son Eddie.
Through the
recent years, the Warners have stood strong
through Win's battle with cancer. He was
always the center of the media/staff room at
the Arena; always quick witted, wise cracking
and never short of a comeback, that never
changed, even in the face of illness.
On Saturday
though, there was no retort. On Saturday; the
Warners lost a great father and husband,
hockey lost a staunch supporter, and we all
lost a good friend.
Win Warner
was 62 years old... The family asks that in
lieu of flowers, we make a contribution in
memory and honor of Win to the American
Cancer Society (31 Adams Ave, Endicott, NY
13760)
or the American Diabetes Assocation (356 N Midler Ave,
Syracuse, NY 13206).
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