OBITUARIES - 10/4/17

Sept. 1, 2017

Dean Edward Perkins

Dean Perkins, 88, of Boise, ID, died on Sept. 6 following a battle with cancer.

Dean is a member of both the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (Class of 2006, Pioneer Player), and the Northern California Senior Softball Association (NCSSA) Hall of Fame (Class of 2008). With NCSSA, Dean previously served on the board as Region 4 representative and worked as a tournament director in the San Leandro and Hayward areas.

A longtime member of SSUSA, Dean played mainly with the Palo Alto Chiefs, a team he formed and managed, and the Redwood City Chiefs.

From Carl Woodruff (member of Redwood City Chiefs):

“Dean was a longtime supporter of senior softball... umpiring, plus managing and being a tournament director. He prided himself in saying that he gave better second place trophies than most tournaments did for first. He was one of the hardest working proponents of senior softball that I’ve known.”

A graduate of Midvale High School in 1947, Dean worked as a race horse trainer for many years at tracks around the Northwest before moving to California and working for various trucking companies as a semi-truck driver and dispatcher.

Dean is survived by his son Marvin Perkins (Ginger Sphar), daughter Shawna Ianson (Bob), grandson Levi Harrison (Julia), granddaughter Jodi Perkins (Ty Garrett), and great grandchildren, Keiland Dodd and Hope Harrison.

Ronald L. Poirier

Ron Poirier, 70, of Carson City, Nev., died on Aug. 11.

Born in Lewiston, Maine, Ron's work brought him and his family to Carson City in 1988. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was an avid softball player and golfer, as well as an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. An SSUSA member dating back to 2001, Ron played for the Last Call 60 and 65 teams out of Nevada. Ron last played in the 2012 season with the Last Call 65 team, appearing in the Winter and Spring World Championships and the Rock ‘N Reno Challenge Cup.

Ron is survived by his wife, Pat Poirier, his son Chris Poirier (wife Tracy), daughter Brandi McCombs (husband Jamie), daughter Kelly Wilder (husband Garrish), daughter Tessa Grundy (husband Jonathon), along with 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Gustavo “Gus” Escobar, Jr.

Gus Escobar, 56, of Rio Grande City, Tex., died on Aug. 27.

Gus graduated from Roma High School in 1979 and attended West Texas State College and the University of Texas Pan Am. He worked for Roma ISD for a short while, before beginning his 30-plus year career with the United States Postal Service.

Joining SSUSA in 2014, Gus played the past two seasons with Escobar Body Shop, managed by his cousin Danny Escobar. “Gus was always talking to our team, motivating the players to be the best they could be,” said Danny. “We called him the team spark plug, because he always got things started. Gus was an awesome husband, father, son, brother, teammate and most of all, person. Always making people laugh and willing to help anyone in need. His smile and infectious attitude will be missed.“

Gus is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dalinda P. Escobar, and children Gustavo Escobar III, Gilbert Lee Escobar, and Ashley Escobar (Joshua Andrade) and grandchildren Kaylonie Marie Escobar, Kimberly Bell Escobar, Gilbert Escobar, Jr., Alec Andrade, and Ayanna Lee Andrade.

Elby Bushong, Jr.

Elby “Boom Boom” Bushong, 73, of Phoenix, AZ, died on Sept. 11.

A four-sport athlete at Washington High School, Elby earned All-State accolades in football and baseball. He would later go on to earn First Team All-American honors at Cal Western University in San Diego. Elby was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, playing in their minor league system for two years, before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing in their minor league system for one year.

Elby posted an illustrious slo-pitch softball career, which eventually led to his induction into the USSSA Hall of Fame in the Male Player Category in 1982. Elby was a member of the USSSA Men's Class "A" World Champion Campbell's Carpets of Concord, Calif., in 1980. As a member of SSUSA, Elby played with Grimes Trucking.

Elby enjoyed a 38-year career in the Phoenix Fire Department, retiring as a Deputy Chief.

Elby is survived by his wife, Margie of 52 years, son, Elby III (wife, Jessica), daughter, Kristi Jo Galbreath (husband, Jeremiah), grandchildren, Elby IV (wife, Kristin), Kailey, Kacey, Chase, Makenna, Trace, Gage Bushong Galbreath, Jolie Galbreath, and great granddaughter, Tatum Bushong.

Michael J. Colangelo

Michael Colangelo, 57 of Whitehouse Station, N.J., died Sept. 22.

Mike graduated from Bridgewater East High School in 1978 and graduated from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., in 1982. He received his CPA certification in 1988 and was a senior accountant/CFO at Maersk Sealand in Florham Park, N.J. He had been with the company since July of 1988 and his last position held was president of Maersk Inc.

Mike had a passion for playing softball. He started playing at the age of 18 with his older brother Ron, playing for the Findern A’s. He played with many teams over the years, his most recent team being Phoenix Tube (NJ) at SSUSA.

Mike is survived by his wife of 16 years, Joanne (Lannigan) Colangelo and his children, Michael Colangelo, Jr. of Glen Gardner, NJ, Renee Colangelo of Somerville, NJ and his stepsons, Patrick Vitale of Savannah, GA and Kevin Vitale of Whitehouse Station, NJ.