OBITUARIES - 7/26/19

July 1, 2019

John Shintaku

John Shintaku, 70, of Carmichael, Calif., died on May 30.

Shintaku, who most recently played with Please Don’t Bug Me 70, was a long-time member of Old Dawgs, playing on the 50’s, 55’s, 60’s and 65’s. He also played with The Crew, The Sacramento Saints and Wilson Trophy.

“John was first and foremost a gentleman,” said Don Lee, manager of Please Don’t Bug Me. “John played for several teams, and I was lucky enough to have him on the BUGS the last couple of years. He is so missed on our team. We still find it hard to believed he's not on the bench or first base or outfield or handing out Milky Ways and Snickers as was his common practice. He was a kind person, a friend and I miss him.”

Terry Hennessy, CEO of Senior Softball USA said: “John was a good friend and an excellent player who displayed the best qualities of sportsmanship to both teammates and opponents.” Hennessy played with Shintaku for several years in leagues and on both the Sacramento Saints and Wilson Trophy tournament teams.

Edward Sherrod

Ed Sherrod, 72, of Fairfield, Calif., died on June 28.

Sherrod was a long-time player/manager of Solano Senior Enforcers. The team began as a 50’s team in 1996, and aged up through the years in the 55’s, 60’s, 65’s and currently in the 70’s division.

The team played in the recent Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup in May, where the Solano Senior Enforces participated annually.

“Ed was a kind and gentle soul,” said David Alois, a member of the Solano Senior Enforcers. “His passion for softball led him to found the Solano Senior Enforcers nearly 25 years ago.  His leadership and commitment both on and off the field are truly missed.”

“It was Eddie’s quiet demeanor and loyalty to his players that created a successful team,” said Brian Bates, another member of Solano Senior Enforcers. “I will always remember those ugly, ugly games, albeit rare - when Eddie would enter the dugout with a grin on his face and say —- ‘you sure look like crap’ and then move on to the other end of the dugout. That’s the most you would ever hear from him that could be construed as negative.”

Kelly Wolner

Kelly Wolner, 54, of Binghamton, N.Y., died on July 23.

Wolner began playing SSUSA during the 2017 season, participating in the Winter World Championships in Phoenix with both Twisted Fossils 40 and 50 teams. She would again play in the Winter World Championships in 2018 with the Fossils/Magic Stuff 50 team.

Wolner and her Twisted Fossils team eared a Gold Medal at the 2017 Huntsman World Senior Games in the Women’s 50 Division 2.

"Kelly touched so many lives both on and off the field with her unique style, her tremendous perseverance and her endless positivity,” said Ellen Spruce, manager of Magic Stuff. “She taught all of us so much about life, living every day to its absolute fullest, and truly appreciating all of life's simple joys. She will continue to live on in the countless number of people that love her and have been truly blessed to have called her friend. #WOLNER STRONG"

Wolner earned her Associate's Degree in Physical Education in 1987 from Mohawk Valley Community College, and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 1989 and Master's Degree in Health Education in 1995 from the State University of New York at Cortland.

Wolner spent 30 years as a Physical Education Teacher and Coach with the Unatego Central School District, and worked as a New York State High School and College Softball Umpire.