Al Bonife "New York Blackie" Passed Away

!Smorgass Bored

Hump ? What HUMP ?
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YJY at onepocket.org posted:

Al Bonife "New York Blackie" Passes Away

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With great sadness, I would like to post that Al Bonife (better known as New York Blackie) passed away yesterday. He had spent the last year living with Buddy Hall in Metropolis, IL. Please keep his loved ones in your thought & prayers.


Many players in Tampa and New Orleans are saddened by this news.
R.I.P. Blackie
My condolences to his friends and family and to his best friend Buddy Hall.

Doug
 

Terry Ardeno

I still love my wife
Silver Member
Sad news

I never met him, but I've heard about him for years. It's always sad when someone passes. Thanks for letting us know. Our thoughts and prayers go out for those who knew and loved him.
 
Terrible news! My heartfelt condolences go out to his family ..I knew him,he was a very special human being..

R.I.P. NY Blackie.
 

sharandrew

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Blackie the great

Blackie lived in Portland Oregon back in the late 60's early 70's was here a couple of years and worked in the downtown pool hall "Park Avenue" All the stories told about his time here were spectacular. He beat those who lived here,and every living human who came to town. Some who were young pool players at the time will all morn this loss as they are now the old timers.
 

hemicudas

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Blackie was my friend. I miss him. Recent photo of Blackie doing his second favorite thing.
 
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jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
Blackie was a true road warrior. His entire life was spent as a pool player. He lived all over the USA, usually for periods of a month to a few years. EVERYONE in the pool world knew Blackie, and had stories to tell about him. He was a lovable rogue, one minute laughing with his arm around you, and the next minute his other hand was in your pocket.

I knew him from my youth in New York in the mid 60's, and then in Johnston City and Vegas. Like Pancho, Blackie turned up anywhere there was action, whether it be Florida or California. He even spent a couple of months hanging around my poolroom in Bakersfield in the 70's. Only I knew how good he played. He NEVER showed his speed. I gambled with him almost daily at cards and pool, and he kept me sharp. He loved to get on the table and try different shots. That was kind of a New York thing, all those guys had their favorite shots.

I'll never forget the first time I ever saw him in New York. This young handsome guy with the huge shiny black hair pushed up high on his head. He talked funny, mostly out of the side of his mouth, and every line was a move. He knew every angle in the poolroom and invented a few of his own.
All I can say was that 7-11 was a helluva training ground, cause every guy that came out of there was the dead nuts. One poolroom was responsible for turning out Jersey Red, Boston Shorty, Blackie, Ervolino, Richie Ambrose, Brooklyn Jimmy and a few other lesser lites. This was Murderer's Row, circa 1960's.

I think Johnny Irish was the mentor to this entire crew, and they all took after him. Well, I'll miss you Blackie. I'm sorry I didn't get to see you one more time. You always put a smile on my face. Thanks buddy.
 

hemicudas

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
jay helfert said:
Blackie was a true road warrior. His entire life was spent as a pool player. He lived all over the USA, usually for periods of a month to a few years. EVERYONE in the pool world knew Blackie, and had stories to tell about him. He was a lovable rogue, one minute laughing with his arm around you, and the next minute his other hand was in your pocket.

I knew him from my youth in New York in the mid 60's, and then in Johnston City and Vegas. Like Pancho, Blackie turned up anywhere there was action, whether it be Florida or California. He even spent a couple of months hanging around my poolroom in Bakersfield in the 70's. Only I knew how good he played. He NEVER showed his speed. I gambled with him almost daily at cards and pool, and he kept me sharp. He loved to get on the table and try different shots. That was kind of a New York thing, all those guys had their favorite shots.

I'll never forget the first time I ever saw him in New York. This young handsome guy with the huge shiny black hair pushed up high on his head. He talked funny, mostly out of the side of his mouth, and every line was a move. He knew every angle in the poolroom and invented a few of his own.
All I can say was that 7-11 was a helluva training ground, cause every guy that came out of there was the dead nuts. One poolroom was responsible for turning out Jersey Red, Boston Shorty, Blackie, Ervolino, Richie Ambrose, Brooklyn Jimmy and a few other lesser lites. This was Murderer's Row, circa 1960's.

I think Johnny Irish was the mentor to this entire crew, and they all took after him. Well, I'll miss you Blackie. I'm sorry I didn't get to see you one more time. You always put a smile on my face. Thanks buddy.

This photo was taken in 1962 at Johnston City and Blackie looks exactly as you describe him.
 
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jungledude

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
We'll miss "Blackie" in New Orleans

:D Blackie was a great player and a great guy that I knew for over forty years, he just about lived in my pool room in New Orleans in the 90s and still could play a real good speed in his late sixties. Blackie called everyone he liked a lot a "goose" so if he ever called you that you now know he was your buddy. Speaking of Buddy, I'm sure the entire Buddy Hall family will miss Blackie he was one of the family for the Halls for many years. May God Bless his Soul. :p :D :p
 

JAM

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The first time I ever met Blackie was a few years ago at the Carolinas Open. He was hanging close to Buddy Hall, and the three of us sweated a few matches and had a glorious conversation. I could have sat there and listened to those guys for hours. He was fully of stories. What a sweet man.

May he rest in peace. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

JAM
 

wincardona

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
jay helfert said:
Blackie was a true road warrior. His entire life was spent as a pool player. He lived all over the USA, usually for periods of a month to a few years. EVERYONE in the pool world knew Blackie, and had stories to tell about him. He was a lovable rogue, one minute laughing with his arm around you, and the next minute his other hand was in your pocket.

I knew him from my youth in New York in the mid 60's, and then in Johnston City and Vegas. Like Pancho, Blackie turned up anywhere there was action, whether it be Florida or California. He even spent a couple of months hanging around my poolroom in Bakersfield in the 70's. Only I knew how good he played. He NEVER showed his speed. I gambled with him almost daily at cards and pool, and he kept me sharp. He loved to get on the table and try different shots. That was kind of a New York thing, all those guys had their favorite shots.

I'll never forget the first time I ever saw him in New York. This young handsome guy with the huge shiny black hair pushed up high on his head. He talked funny, mostly out of the side of his mouth, and every line was a move. He knew every angle in the poolroom and invented a few of his own.
All I can say was that 7-11 was a helluva training ground, cause every guy that came out of there was the dead nuts. One poolroom was responsible for turning out Jersey Red, Boston Shorty, Blackie, Ervolino, Richie Ambrose, Brooklyn Jimmy and a few other lesser lites. This was Murderer's Row, circa 1960's.

I think Johnny Irish was the mentor to this entire crew, and they all took after him. Well, I'll miss you Blackie. I'm sorry I didn't get to see you one more time. You always put a smile on my face. Thanks buddy.

Jay,
You are a very interesting and intellegent poster,the more of your post I read ,the more I realize how informative,and entertaining you actually are.You are right on with your assessment of Blackie. Blackie and I had a lot of respect for oneanother,every time I would run into him on the road we would always try to help oneanother out. He was as stand up guy as i've ever been around,I really,really liked that man. I'm sad to hear that he passed,my condolences to his family,he will be sorely missed.
 

kevin s

Tennessee
Silver Member
Does anyone know how he passed? Buddy and Blackie was here in nearby Cookeville a couple of months ago for a few days and I didn't know he was ill! Sad News for he was a interesting and entertaining man. I just met him and didn't know much history about him.
 

Chuck Raulston

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
sad news

It is sad news to hear of such a great ambassador to the sport passing . Does anyone have any information on the funeral arrangements or when it is to be held? I live close enough that I may try to make it. I just spoke with him for quite a while at a tournament in Metropolis maybe six weeks ago or so. He seemed to be doing well. My condolences to his friends and family.

Chuck Raulston
 

bomber

Jeopardy Is My Road Game
Silver Member
As you know, I am originally from Paducah, Ky and have just recently moved to Louisville. I have gotten to know Buddy and Blackie the past year and half extemely well. I would see them about everyday and would often play with Blackie at Side Pockets in Paducah...our home room. Blackie was an everyday guy at Side Pockets and he brightened everyones day. He loved talking about pool, fishing, boxing, cards, and he would often enlighten us about stories from the road. It was always a great treat when Blackie was around. I always thought it was funny how Buddy called him Albert. He was the only person I knew that called him that... I think it got under Blackie's skin a little. It was great.

Blackie reminded me of the "cool" great uncle that everyone has. He was always quick with a joke or witty remark. He was a lover of life and an extremely nice person. He never made any fanfare about his pool days and he treated all of us at Side Pockets extremely well. I know that I speak for everyone in Paducah...including YJY from onepocket.org who is a regular and one of my best friends...when I say that Albert will be truly missed. I am going to call as soon as I can and send my regards...and all of yours to his friends down in Paducah.
 

freddy the beard

Freddy Bentivegna
Silver Member
Say hello to Pancho and Ervolino

Blackie is the only guy from the original 7-11 crew that I never got close to. It seemed like wherever he was on the road, I wasn't. I hardly ever seen him play, but I had heard he was one of the great shotmakers in the game. I think Brooklyn Jimmy is the only guy left alive out of that 7-11 crew. Adios Blackie, and tell Pancho, Ervolino, and Jersey Red that the Beard says hello.

the Beard
PS On my new blog I will be pontificating on the sociopathic, political, and philosophical views I garnered and honed, on pool, and the world in general, during my 50 years in the underworld.
 

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
bomber said:
As you know, I am originally from Paducah, Ky and have just recently moved to Louisville. I have gotten to know Buddy and Blackie the past year and half extemely well. I would see them about everyday and would often play with Blackie at Side Pockets in Paducah...our home room. Blackie was an everyday guy at Side Pockets and he brightened everyones day. He loved talking about pool, fishing, boxing, cards, and he would often enlighten us about stories from the road. It was always a great treat when Blackie was around. I always thought it was funny how Buddy called him Albert. He was the only person I knew that called him that... I think it got under Blackie's skin a little. It was great.

Blackie reminded me of the "cool" great uncle that everyone has. He was always quick with a joke or witty remark. He was a lover of life and an extremely nice person. He never made any fanfare about his pool days and he treated all of us at Side Pockets extremely well. I know that I speak for everyone in Paducah...including YJY from onepocket.org who is a regular and one of my best friends...when I say that Albert will be truly missed. I am going to call as soon as I can and send my regards...and all of yours to his friends down in Paducah.

Buddy and Blackie first met back in Johnston City, a long, long time ago. It was a strange pairing, a street wise New Yorker and a country boy from the Midwest. Blackie became somewhat of a mentor to Buddy, who looked up to this sharp shooting and quick witted city slicker. And Blackie took to Buddy as well, the gifted but somewhat innocent young superstar to be.

Buddy was a babe back then, around such rounders as Danny Jones, Cornbread, Puckett, Earl Shriver, Detroit Whitey, Fats and the like. He needed a little guidance and Blackie provided it. I can hear him now, "Listen kid, you don't want this game. It's no good for you. Wait a while". And Buddy would smile and pay attention to his council. Turned out Blackie did a pretty good job. He helped develop Buddy into one of the all time greats of the game.
 

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
JAM said:
The first time I ever met Blackie was a few years ago at the Carolinas Open. ...
May he rest in peace. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

JAM

I sat next to him at the same event for a match between B. Jones and David G. Blackie would guess the shot before it came up and was right more oft than not. More than once, when the shooter went a different than predicted route, it cost said shooter. God bless and RIP!
 

!Smorgass Bored

Hump ? What HUMP ?
Gold Member
Shortly after Blackie arrived in Tampa about 9-10 years ago, he sauntered into Planet 9-Ball one Thursday night just in time for the weekly tournament. I signed him up and when I drew his match, I put him on the table closest to the spectators.

The regulars wondered who this old guy was and why he wasn't practicing with any of them. When the alternating break, race to 4 tournament started, Blackie won the flip. He broke and made the nine on the break. The second rack, the kid ( a local lobster) made a couple of balls and missed and Blackie walked up to table and combo'ed in the 9. Next game, Blackie made a ball on the snap and shot & made the one-nine combo. In the final game, the kid scratched and with ball in hand, Blackie fired in the combo on the nine.

Only his opponent, myself and few spectators witnessed this feat. Blackie had won four games in FIVE shots. A couple of people said how great that was to watch and Blackie smiled. I asked Blackie why he didn't try to run a few balls, instead of trying some questionable combo attempts. He said that he only had a few good shots left in him and that he didn't want to waste them if he didn't have to.

Word quickly spread around the room on how he had dispatched his first opponent and everyone was treating him with new respect. He ran out of steam and didn't make the money, but he made quite an impression on a whole new group of poolplayers.

I heard that he like to bet on a horse now and then,too.
Doug
( my wife thinks that Blackie looks like Harry Connick in that picture Hemi posted from the 60s )
 

BillPorter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A shot of Blackie in Dallas, Texas. Some time in the 1980s. Photo by Mike Haines.
Image0023-s.jpg
 
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