Our Thoughts Are With You

Our sympathy to all of the members of the Detroit Petanque Club for the loss such a good friend.

Chicago Petanque Club

Gene Sanford - Friend, Petanquer, Good Man - Passed Away

Today I received a phone call from Sharon Hunter. She told me that Gene, the love of her life & her best friend, had passed away on Wednesday at 7:43 p.m.





Gene Sanford, 51, had complications from his asthma which necessitated a hospital visit. Shortly thereafter associated difficulties brought on a seizure and heart attack.



I first met Gene and Sharon five years ago. They comprised the core initial group of the Detroit Petanque Club. In those days, it was Gene, Sharon, Tony-T, me, James, and Sharon. We had been playing on the sandy pistes down along the Detroit River (Pre-Detroit Riverwalk). Gene was always with his Sharon, and together they played a very strong petanque team. In a very short time Gene and I became good friends, and we'd talk about all sorts of things while awaiting our throws. I can proudly say that Gene, though constant practice, became an excellent tireur (shooter). When most of the club members were shying away from cold weather playing, I could always count upon Gene to be ready for a good game of boule.

I'll miss him.

Sharon told me that she is in the process of making Gene's funeral arrangements. When she knows more information, I'll be sure to share it with you.

Attached are some (of many) photos I have of Gene over the years:

Chicago's Midwinter FreezerBoule Games

View all photos of The Chicago Petanque Club 2nd Annual Midwinter FreezerBoule Games. Click on the Flickr link below OR cut and paste the code into your browser.Then click on the "SLIDESHOW" button in the upper right of the Flicker website.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1024640@N22/pool/
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View the Winter Freezer Boule Games slideshow on FLICKR and leave a comment.

Memories of Last Summer

Since we're in the throes of winter, when we can only dream of Sunday afternoons playing pétanque (at least those of us not brave enough to play in sub-freezing temperatures), I thought I'd share some pictures of warmer times last summer, during the Midwest Pétanque Tournament in Chicago. This was my second year of competition, and I'm really looking forward to my third. Enjoy.

Grant Park once again provided a beautiful venue for the tournament.

My partner, Paul Murphy, and me prior to the start of the tournament.

Paul laying in a point.

A pause between games.

During the Consolate round -- The flip of the coin.

The 2008 Midwest Pétanque Tournament competitors.


The Consolate round on Sunday was cut short by a horrendous thunderstorm, but this didn't dampen our spirits in the least. (Taken from Paul's car.)

Because of the rain-out, there was no awards ceremony, so Paul and I had our own. We came in first during the Consolate round. (Sorry, I had to throw this one in.)