RIP Mark Pantovic aka Gypsy

RIP big fella.

This is horrible news. Keith is going to be devastated. Gypsy used to call us up and chew the fat. I will always remember that break of his, like a cannon, and all the balls would blossom on the table. He could really hold his own against anybody on a bar box. We shared many laughs together. Love that man. What a wonderful personality he had. I can't believe he's gone.

RIP, Gypsy.

Picture taken at Turning Stone, Gypsy on the left, Frankie in the middle, and Keith on the right.

Wow. This is sad news.

Wow, what a shame. Heart attack?

Gyp was a fixture around the area. He lived and breathed Pool. Every tournament, every Pool happening, he was there. You take it for granted that a fixture like that will always be there.

The last time I saw Gypsy was a couple of weeks ago, at a Mezz tour stop, at Sandcastle Billiards. Last I saw, he was getting into action with Scotty Evans, trying to make a Pool game or even a non Pool game (lets bet on something).

A long time ago, at a Blaze tour stop, Gypsy said to Jose(tourney director) "When my match comes up, can you call me, Jose, please?" So, I turned towards Gypsy and said "You got it, Jose..." I think it took a minute for it to register with Gypsy...


Eric

The New York landscape will not be the same without Gyprock !!! And yes he was quite the character. Many fond memories of him.

I have know Gypsy for many years, we always got along great. I am really sadened by this news.

R.I.P. Gypsy

-Steve

I'll miss Gypsy last time I saw him was at Super Biliards Expo a few years
ago. I remember a long long time ago at Chelsea Billiards I sold him an expensive cue for a third the price because I needed the money and
that's all he had on him. Well two days later I come in and he offers it back to me at the same price because he said he felt bad I always liked Gypsy and he always made you laugh. That's sad I'll miss that guy. RIP GYPSY

sorry too hear i dident know him but he seem like a great guy R.I.P Gypsy you will be missed

I played the man twice in my life and both times he let me win. The first time was back at Chelsea Billiards. I could barely hold a cue but that didn't stop me from gambling. For whatever reason, he felt bad about it and after winning the first set, he dumped the next. The second time was only 5 weeks ago at Raxx Poolroom in my second match at the Joss Event. He was playing great and keeping pace with me the entire set. At 8-7 his lead, he said he didn't want to play anymore, that he was tired and made a deal with me. If I made the money, I'd give him half. I proceeded to win my next three matches, losing the round before the money.

If it means anything, Gyp, I really wanted to get the cash for you. I knew it wasn't much but still would have enjoyed shipping some your way. You were one funny guy with a big heart. Rest in peace and may G*d be with you always.

My condolences go out to Gypsy's family and friends. The pool world will miss him too. Very sorry to hear about this happening. RIP Gypsy!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

RIP Gyp


Although he would never lose a barkathon, he was a gentleman in almost every other way. If he ever was gonna match up on a table i was playing on, he always paid the time. He didnt ask "how much is his time?" He just said "I got the time here".

JAM said:

This is horrible news. Keith is going to be devastated. Gypsy used to call us up and chew the fat. I will always remember that break of his, like a cannon, and all the balls would blossom on the table. He could really hold his own against anybody on a bar box. We shared many laughs together. Love that man. What a wonderful personality he had. I can't believe he's gone.

RIP, Gypsy.

Picture taken at Turning Stone, Gypsy on the left, Frankie in the middle, and Keith on the right.

Click to expand...

Broke like a cannon and then stood there flailing his arms and hands like he was falling backwards over a cliff!! hahaha-hard to think of him and not smile even in this sad time.

What a character. Gypsy is the reason I started wearing headphones at pool tournaments.

RIP, big fella.

RIP Gypsy :frown:

RIP my friend...

...I knew the man you knew as Gypsy for many years but outside of the pool circles. He was truly a great guy and good friend who lived life to the fullest on his terms. He had many special qualities but not the least of which was that it was nearly impossible to be in his presence and not be smiling.

Well my friend you are now peacefully at rest and in God's hands. I imagine there's some big action in heaven right now. You will be missed.

Ray

My sincere condolences to family and friends.

Early 90's when I had the All About Pool Tour and the Tri State Tour, I went to visit Castle Billiards for an event they were having. We were there early Friday afternoon. I was kind of knocking the balls around and generally hanging around and I heard this constant jabbering of a guy playing another young guy on a table two down from me. Can't really describe it, but if you knew Gypsy you know the nonstop yapping he would do. I didn't meet him, never talked to him but there was a character in Do It For The Game that was like him.

Actually, now that I am thinking about it, I played him in that tournament. He kept calling me "Sir" and anytime I got a bad break or missed a shot he was very sympathetic (if you know what I mean). He killed me, something like 9-2 or 3.

For all that knew him, sorry for your loss. Sadly the list of pool players gets shorter each day.

Bob

Yes, already heard this news from Robb Saez.

I knew Gypsy well, even gambled with him once or twice in the after hours of the weekly Tuesday handicap tournament at Chelsea Billiards from 1996-97 in which most of the top players in the area participated. Those were good times.

He definitely had his demons, but more often than not, he was a decent guy whose laugh was unforgettable. He always seemed to be either rolling in the dough or dead broke. I once lent him $200, and when times got a bit tough for him, I told him it was OK if he didn't pay me back, but he made a point of paying me, despite the fact that it took him about eighteen months and I had long since stopped asking for the money.

I think that we can all safely assume that he and George "Ginky" San Souci, who sadly left us in 2011, are already looking for some action in the hereafter. I recall going up to a tournament with Ginky and Gypsy in about 1999 at Bob Maidhof's room in Pennsylvania. Gypsy did the driving. At the end of Saturday's play, Ginky had advanced to the winners bracket semifinals. After some dinner, we retired for the evening. When we woke up, Gypsy was gone. Turned out that some personal problem had arisen and he drove back home to New York. Unfortunately, he did so with Ginky's cuestick in his trunk! Ginky, who was pretty pissed off, had to play with a borrowed cue and he played absolutely terribly, finishing fifth. Gypsy defintely marched to his own tune and had his moments!

Though he always greeted me with courtesy and cordiality, I never thought of Gypsy as a friend, but I'm sad to learn of his passing and offer my condolences to his family and friends.

Looks like the pool world has lost another good one...my condolences to his family & friends...RIP, Gypsy.

Farewell to an unforgettable character! We had a smoke outside at Soho the last time I saw him. He was blabbering about how the pros didn't know how to make money. Look at me, he says, I made over a hundred grand last year and I didn't have to play against anyone good! (true story BTW, I know the guy he beat for 70K)

R.I.P. Gypster, you crazy rascal!