CAC Benevolent Fund

The Bells Ring Again

This past week, we lost two more icons in our business to that big ring in the sky. Jack Tunney and Hard Boiled Haggerty. I had known both of these gallant men for a lot of years, and their passing makes me very sad.

I first me H.B. in Minneapolis at a TV taping. He was one of the first guys besides Crusher Lisowski that even paid any attention to me sitting in the corner of the dressing area. He came over and stuck out a huge hand and said, "Welcome to cold country. Where are you from, kid?"

We must have spoke for about a half hour, talking about our families and travels. Don was the kind of guy that, once he met you, you never forgot him. We met in Hawaii a few years later at the H.I.C., and his eyes got real big when I walked into the dressing room. He jumped to his feet and gave me a big hug and shook my hand like we had not seen each other for a lot of years.

At the first CAC at the Riviera in Las Vegas back in 2000, I was walking through the shop areas of the hotel when, who bumps into me but Don Haggerty. He squinted his eyes as he didn't have his glasses on and looked at me as if he wanted to say something. I reminded him that people from Malibu shouldn't be allowed to come to Las Vegas. He put his glasses on, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw that it was me.

We exchanged hugs and handshakes and went to the coffee shop where we could chat more. The next night, we were at the awards dinner, and we again came face to face. The memories of that meeting will be etched in my memory banks forever. R.I.P. Don "H.B. Haggerty" Stansauk.

This from the CAC webpage...

In the wrestling ring, he wrestled all the big names of his era, always as a main event star. He held the United States title, a version of the World Heavyweight title and several versions of the World Tag Team titles. Minneapolis promoter Wally Karbo gave him the name Hard Boiled Haggerty. HB was frequently referred to as "The King of the Wrestlers."

Amongst his countless film appearances: The Muppet Movie, Dirty Harry, Foxy Brown, Earthquake, Micki + Maude, The Wrestler, and Paint Your Wagon. On television he was seen on Get Smart, The Bob Newhart Show, The Love Boat, Starsky and Hutch, Happy Days and The Incredible Hulk, just to name but a few. (Former partner Lenny Montana also had great success in the film business, most notably as Luca Brasi in The Godfather.)

CAC president Red Bastein said, "It's not always easy to make a dent in entertainment or wrestling because of all the competition out there. HB not only made a dent, he kicked the door down! He was his own man and he did things the way he wanted to. I'm surprised he didn't get sued for some of his behavior, but that was just the charm of HB. I really liked him tremendously and he will be sorely missed by all of us."

"Hag" was one of the most loyal and longest-running members of the CAC. He was a regular at the weekly meetings at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood, and only missed one of the reunions in all the years they were held. In 1993 he was honored with the prestigious Iron Mike Mazurki Award, one of the CAC's highest honors.

Jack Tunney, courtesy of the Cauliflower Alley Club website

Jack Tunney and Frank Tunney were in the promotions business in Toronto for many years. Jack was the quiet one that rarely spoke up unless he knew you. Frank was a practical joker, where Jack was more business bound. Jack had his moments when it came to pulling ribs on people.

I knew all the Tunneys from my stay in the Detroit area in the mid-60's. I would often drive The Sheik to Toronto for his many matches at the Maple Leaf Gardens. R.I.P. John "Jack" Tunney

This also from the CAC webpage

Jack Tunney, an integral part of the World Wrestling Federation's dominance of the professional wrestling industry, died on January 24, 2004. He was 68 years old.

Tunney was part of the famous Tunney family, who promoted throughout Toronto and surrounding areas in Canada. Took over the business from his uncle, Frank Tunney, one of the most respected promoters in Canadian wrestling history. In July of 1984 Jack gave control of the territory to Vince McMahon, Jr. and became (figurehead) president of the World Wrestling Federation for over a decade. By the late 1980s he was the actual president of Titan Sports, the WWF's parent company.

TUNNEY, John (Jack)
Obituary from the Toronto Star

Jack Tunney passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 24, 2004. Jack Tunney, beloved partner and best friend of Patricia Zownir. Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife Ann. Loving father of Jane and her husband Bill Tunstead and Jackie and her husband Dennis Gregoris. Adored grandfather of Samantha and Matthew Gregoris. Will be greatly missed by sisters Teresa McDonnell, Anna and her husband Harry O'Neill, brothers Jerry and his wife Renate, Murray and Peter and his wife Connie and Pat's boys Mark, Jeff and Chris Zownir. Predeceased by brother-in-law Frank McDonnell. Cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers