THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501200239
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: A Twist of Trivia
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
People of courage should not be forgotten. And that brings us to today's subject, a man who died of cancer in March 1984.
This is a particularly appropriate time to remember him because the annual Rock-a-Thon, sponsored by the Suffolk unit of the American Cancer Society, will be held Saturday at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, 3373 Pruden Blvd.
Soon after he was married, our subject learned at age 26 that he had cancer of the lymph glands. Doctors noted optimistically that his particular form of cancer offered a 95 percent chance of survival. They expected him to be cured in about five years.
There was hospitalization, chemotherapy, medication.
As the bills mounted, so did helping efforts by friends, neighbors, businesses and organizations.
More than $1,000 was raised by the Forest Glen High School football team, of which our subject had been a member.
When he realized that he would die, he said, ``I'm prepared for it. I have faith in God.''
Much of his remaining time went to making sure that his wife, Connie, would be cared for. (She is now Connie Blair and still lives in Suffolk.)
Our subject accepted the fact of his coming death better than many around him. ``He's stronger than I am,'' his wife said.
Do you remember today's subject?
A good way to memorialize the courageous young man is by calling 539-6387 or 539-3732 and participating in the Rock-A-Thon. Or, you can visit N-SA Saturday and help with your presence - and your contributions.
A few other questions for today's trivia column:
1. Lou Costello's most famous line was ``I'm a ba-a-ad boy.'' How did it originate?
2. Under whose administration was the first telephone installed in the White House? A very helpful hint: The year was 1878. To whom was the first call made? The answer to that is sort of obvious. Finally, what were the president's first words on the phone?
3. Sequels have always been a Hollywood staple. What was the first sequel movie to be released the same year as the original? Think '33.
4. What was the USS Nautilus' claim to fame?
5. If you are over 50, you will remember '50s and '60s television, which could make this question not so difficult. What TV personality from those decades once played saxophone in the Charlie Spivak Orchestra?
Answers are on Page 13 MEMO: Got a favorite trivia question? Call Frank Roberts: 934-7556.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
This young man died of cancer in 1984. A Rock-a-Thon is held
annually in his honor.
by CNB