ABQ Pickleball Club members offer their sincere condolences to the families and friends of our pickleball players who have passed on.
In Memoriam:
Gordon Gunn 2022
Virgie Henderson 2022
Michael Dougher 2021
Barbara Wellner 2021
Mark Cohen 2020
Don Welty 2020
Eddie Bononcini 2020
Larry Leahy 2020
Ralph Hauke 2020
S. Scott Herron 2020
Daniel Doose 2020
Billy Weinman 2019
Ruth Madrid 2019
Andrew Romero 2019
Ken VanderMey 2017
Suzie Bemis 2016
Gordon Gunn (1939-2022) Obituary
Gordon loved Albuquerque. Besides his family and friends, he LOVED the Lobos. He was extremely active in the community. He was very popular and outgoing, developing lifelong friendships. He founded Silver Racquets and taught seniors how to play tennis and pickleball. He was a longtime member of the ABQ Pickleball Club, and loved to get out and play.
Virgie Henderson (1948-2022) Obituary
Virgie was a long-time Albuquerque resident and member of the ABQ Pickleball Club. She moved to Sun City, AZ in 2018 to enjoy year-round outdoor activities, including pickleball, golf, dancing, and travel. Virgie also regularly participated in both national and international pickleball tournaments.
Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher (1950-2021) Obituary
Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher, of Albuquerque, 71, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He died doing what he loved – winning at pickleball. Mike was a professor of Psychology for 38 years at the University of New Mexico. He retired in 2016 but continued his significant academic editorial contributions. In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family asks for donations to the Roadrunner Foodbank (5840 Office Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109).
Barbara Wellner (1936-2021) Obituary
Barbara was a long-time player and ABQ Pickleball Club member, who left Albuquerque for Mesa, AZ to be near family. We mourn her passing on August 10, 2021 and celebrate the time she spent with us; she brought color, wit and a sparkle into our lives.
Mark Cohen (1946-2020) Obituary
Mark Howard Cohen MD, 74, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. He and his wife, Susan, are long-time ABQ Pickleball Club members. Donations can be made to the WWF- World Wildlife Fund (https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/one-time-donation.aspx) in Mark’s memory.
Don Welty (1950-2020) Obituary
Don Welty passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 11, 2020. He was an avid geologist, master home chef, fisherman, swimmer, scuba diver, gardener, and inspiration to many.
Eddie Bononcini (1946-2020) Obituary
Eddie Bononcini, age 74, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020, peacefully at home in his sleep. Besides having a good sense of humor, Eddie will always be remembered as a loving, caring, and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in Eddie’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Larry Leahy (1949-2020) Memoriam
Larry passed away on October 26, 2020 in the care of his wife, daughter and granddaughter. He had suffered with ALS and recent complications of pneumonia. He played pickleball regularly at Villelas Park and Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center. He loved skiing, was mayor of Angel Fire, NM and taught many how to ski in the mountains that he loved.
Ralph Hauke (1931-2020)
Obituary
Ralph E. Hauke, age 89, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, October 1st, at his home in Bernalillo surrounded by his loving family. He was an active and ardent participant in the Senior Olympics. His many hobbies included playing bridge at the Meadowlark Senior Center in Rio Rancho, tennis, softball, pickle ball and bowling.
S. Scott Herron (1945-2020)
Obituary
On September 23, 2020, Scott Herron of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Thanks to her diligence and foresight, board members, countless volunteers, and hundreds of participants continue to benefit from the support of the Senior Sports Foundation which she created in the early 1990s. ABQ Pickleball Club has been a grateful recipient of that support.
Daniel Doose (1999-2020) Obituary
We are deeply saddened to share with you that Greg and Tonnie Doose’s youngest son, Daniel, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 24th. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please send any and all donations to the Manzano High School Wrestling Booster Club at P.O. Box 51955 Albuquerque, NM 87181 Attn: Coach Romero.
Outdoorsman, bicyclist, pickleball player, and truly special friend Billy Weinman passed away on September 20, 2019 from injuries sustained in a bicycle/auto accident near Mountainair, NM. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Ruth Madrid (1941-2019) Obituary
Our friend, Ruth Madrid, who was a long-time Club member, Managing Council member, and who worked tirelessly in obtaining and managing the Saturday Sandia Prep pickleball venue passed away on Sunday, March 17th.
Andrew Romero (1965-2019) Obituary.
For donations in Andrew’s memory to the New Mexico Youth Tennis Foundation, checks should be made to the NM Youth Tennis Foundation with “In honor of Andrew Romero” or “Andrew Romero fund” in the memo space. The address for the NMYTF is 2901 Indian School Rd NE, Ste A, Alb, NM 87106.
Ken VanderMey (1939-2017) Obituary
Suzie Bemis (1961-2016) Obituary
She was 55 years of age. She loved sports and could not wait to turn 50 to play senior sports. She liked to play pickleball and softball. She really loved the wind in her face when downhill bike racing when she was younger. Suzie brought a big smile to her friends and genuine caring for others.
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