I will always think about Vince Lombardi's quote "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" when I think about our friend Ginky. Ginky, you were, and always will be...the personification of 'Excellence'!!!
Lost another player
- Thread starter wincardona
- Start date
"George"
So sorry to here this news. I always enjoyed playing George and watching alike. In his prime he gave me the "6and out" which I thought was a lock! We battled for $3000 a set and I broke even and QUIT! He would make 2 and 3 balls on the snap and squat the egg-unbeatable, and I was playing pretty good then also. May you rest in peace pal, my thoughts are with you and your family.
So sorry to here this news. I always enjoyed playing George and watching alike. In his prime he gave me the "6and out" which I thought was a lock! We battled for $3000 a set and I broke even and QUIT! He would make 2 and 3 balls on the snap and squat the egg-unbeatable, and I was playing pretty good then also. May you rest in peace pal, my thoughts are with you and your family.
I didn't know George, but he always struck me as the perfect example of gentlemanly behavior, and his game was magnificent to behold.
I hope he got what he wanted out of life.
I hope he got what he wanted out of life.
Guys, just read on Facebook that "Amsterdam billiards will match any contributions that Tony receives."
I'm sure George's family and friends would appreciate any assistance...
It was many years ago, when I first met the ginkster. I was new to the game, but had that internal passion that we all share. I ended up stumbling into Chelsea billiards, and there was this young guy the entire room had stopped to watch. Those of you that remember those tight tables in the front of chelseas, when chelseas was chelseas, knew he could be found there. I remember watching greatness. I was so new to the game I did not even know what I was watching. That night made me appreciate pool, as it can be played. Each week thereafter, I would sit in my highschool classes and dream about making into the city on Friday nights to watch him play. I would leave that room usually after 2am, and just trying to process what I had seen each night.
I will always remember those nights, watching him play was an ispiration. Later I got to meet him I was lucky enough to understand what greatness was, it is a equal combination of skill, and attitude. George was full of both. I had seen many good players before, and many after, but none had his intensity coupled with a true friendly demeanor. I had no idea intensity could be fun, George brought that to life.
Thanks for all the memories
I will always remember those nights, watching him play was an ispiration. Later I got to meet him I was lucky enough to understand what greatness was, it is a equal combination of skill, and attitude. George was full of both. I had seen many good players before, and many after, but none had his intensity coupled with a true friendly demeanor. I had no idea intensity could be fun, George brought that to life.
Thanks for all the memories
keith@greatbilliards
Registered
Ginky
I have known George for less than a year now and played some pool with him. If you ever met him he would make you feel like you have known him for a long time. He always remembered your name and if he just met you and talk for awhile, when you said goodbye he also used your name. He was a real gentleman.
He had serious neck problems that kept him from ever getting back to where he once was. He also was always helping people with their games. Even though he couldn't practice as often as he used to he had the best position I have ever seen. So much fun to watch.
We will all miss him.
R.I.P Buddy.
I have known George for less than a year now and played some pool with him. If you ever met him he would make you feel like you have known him for a long time. He always remembered your name and if he just met you and talk for awhile, when you said goodbye he also used your name. He was a real gentleman.
He had serious neck problems that kept him from ever getting back to where he once was. He also was always helping people with their games. Even though he couldn't practice as often as he used to he had the best position I have ever seen. So much fun to watch.
We will all miss him.
R.I.P Buddy.
Didn't know George personally, we'd see each other at local tournaments in NYC over the period of a few years but, somehow, never got beyond the "nod hello" relationship.
That said, he was a great player and certainly knew how to win.
Recall being a spectator at the Long Island Open, played at Leisure Time about 1998 or '99. That day George drew an unbelievable shooting John Schmidt, and could do nothing but watch John shoot some incredible pool that was near impossible to outshoot. But George wasn't about to be satisfied losing to John that day, regardless of how amazing John was playing. George switched his tactics to defense, slowed the game down, beared down when he had to, and sent the lesser known John to the loser's side. John couldn't recover and was quickly eliminated, and I'm not sure how deep George went, but it didn't really matter. George constructed a fantastic turnaround that was truly fitting the championship caliber player that George was.
Sorry that I never got to know him better. RIP.
J
That said, he was a great player and certainly knew how to win.
Recall being a spectator at the Long Island Open, played at Leisure Time about 1998 or '99. That day George drew an unbelievable shooting John Schmidt, and could do nothing but watch John shoot some incredible pool that was near impossible to outshoot. But George wasn't about to be satisfied losing to John that day, regardless of how amazing John was playing. George switched his tactics to defense, slowed the game down, beared down when he had to, and sent the lesser known John to the loser's side. John couldn't recover and was quickly eliminated, and I'm not sure how deep George went, but it didn't really matter. George constructed a fantastic turnaround that was truly fitting the championship caliber player that George was.
Sorry that I never got to know him better. RIP.
J
From Ginky's facebook page:
With great appreciation from the family, we thank you all for your condolences and sympathy. We are trying to raise money to give Ginky the proper burial that he deserves, and we are asking for all his loved ones, friends, and fans to get together and help us accomplish this. If any of you are going to Valley Forge, please contact Tony Robles in regards to any donations. If any of you are in New York City, please Contact Athena Mennis in regards to any donation 347 345 6308 or contact the immediate family directly @[100000281827804:Edward Blacknick] @[1401642717:Erin Candice McDonagh] @[100000024304058:Irene San Souci McDonagh]
Tony Robles contact info: Tony Robles 917-202-2750 or e-mail him @ Robles9@aol.com.
With great appreciation from the family, we thank you all for your condolences and sympathy. We are trying to raise money to give Ginky the proper burial that he deserves, and we are asking for all his loved ones, friends, and fans to get together and help us accomplish this. If any of you are going to Valley Forge, please contact Tony Robles in regards to any donations. If any of you are in New York City, please Contact Athena Mennis in regards to any donation 347 345 6308 or contact the immediate family directly @[100000281827804:Edward Blacknick] @[1401642717:Erin Candice McDonagh] @[100000024304058:Irene San Souci McDonagh]
Tony Robles contact info: Tony Robles 917-202-2750 or e-mail him @ Robles9@aol.com.
Back when there were no jump cues, Ginky was incredible to watch. If he left himself safe after a break, he would push out to a spot where he could shaft jump the 1 ball in. After awhile, whoever he played knew they had to go for the kick. Because if not, Ginky would shaft jump the 1 in, and finish the rack. I was just a young kid, but he was even younger, maybe 18 or so. That made his play even more amazing. This is really a tough loss for us all.
I'm in jury duty now and unfortunately confined to answering this thread via my phone. Please forgive me for any errors.
I met Ginky back in 1990 at Amsterdam Billiards and by then, he was already labeled as "great". Throughout the years and old poolrooms, I had the pleasure of witnessing the greatest 9ball I've ever seen played by anyone. Borana described him as genius which could not be more accurate. He wasn't just talented. He was liberal and unbelieveably creative in the safeties he deployed. He was the guy that made you rethink everything you ever thought you knew about pool.
One of my favorite Ginky quotes - after breaking and successfully making a ball, he would say, "Dress up baby! We're going out!!!".
My condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
I met Ginky back in 1990 at Amsterdam Billiards and by then, he was already labeled as "great". Throughout the years and old poolrooms, I had the pleasure of witnessing the greatest 9ball I've ever seen played by anyone. Borana described him as genius which could not be more accurate. He wasn't just talented. He was liberal and unbelieveably creative in the safeties he deployed. He was the guy that made you rethink everything you ever thought you knew about pool.
One of my favorite Ginky quotes - after breaking and successfully making a ball, he would say, "Dress up baby! We're going out!!!".
My condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
I was there for that one- He offered you the 5 out too as you hustled out the door feeling lucky to escape.
I thought you were a lock too but as we all know now, it doesn't matter what the spot, if you don't get to shoot.
I'm in jury duty now and unfortunately confined to answering this thread via my phone. Please forgive me for any errors.
I met Ginky back in 1990 at Amsterdam Billiards and by then, he was already labeled as "great". Throughout the years and old poolrooms, I had the pleasure of witnessing the greatest 9ball I've ever seen played by anyone. Borana described him as genius which could not be more accurate. He wasn't just talented. He was liberal and unbelieveably creative in the safeties he deployed. He was the guy that made you rethink everything you ever thought you knew about pool.
One of my favorite Ginky quotes - after breaking and successfully making a ball, he would say, "Dress up baby! We're going out!!!".
My condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
I met Ginky back in 1990 at Amsterdam Billiards and by then, he was already labeled as "great". Throughout the years and old poolrooms, I had the pleasure of witnessing the greatest 9ball I've ever seen played by anyone. Borana described him as genius which could not be more accurate. He wasn't just talented. He was liberal and unbelieveably creative in the safeties he deployed. He was the guy that made you rethink everything you ever thought you knew about pool.
One of my favorite Ginky quotes - after breaking and successfully making a ball, he would say, "Dress up baby! We're going out!!!".
My condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
He was a winner
I just finished reading every post in this thread, and also watched and listened to the Jim Murnak interview, it was a great interview. George was just as I have always believed, a very special person/player and will sorely be missed by all.
I have always looked at George as being a talented man with an outgoing personality. He loved pool, gambling, and just having a good time, I was very envious of George because of how I perceived him, not to mention that he was 30 years younger than me.
I first met George at the Massachusetts State Championships in the year 1991. I was booking the matches at that tournament ( I know i'm a bad guy )and couldn't help but notice this young kid, small in stature that very rarely missed a ball. ( Yes I do have an eye for talent ) I quickly adjusted my line according to how I felt I could induce action against this kid ...IT WORKED... I also played George in the tournament and went to hill hill which George won. We developed a friendly relationship at that tournament that lasted forever. Any ways George won that tournament by beating Earl Strickland in the finals, just as I thought he would. No i'm not saying that George was a better player at that time, but it seemed to me that this was Georges tournament and he wasn't going to be denied. George won the tournament and I won pretty good luring betters that liked Strickland, I got lucky.
We'll never know why things like this happen, most think that at's a residue of life..maybe their right...But I can honestly say that I respected George for his honesty, his out look on life, his courage on and off the table, and his passion for the game that we all love. George was a good man, and a great player, and a solid human being.
My condolences goes out to all that knew him, especially his friends and family.
R.I.P. my friend and maybe someday we'll play some one pocket.:wink:
Billy Incardona
I just finished reading every post in this thread, and also watched and listened to the Jim Murnak interview, it was a great interview. George was just as I have always believed, a very special person/player and will sorely be missed by all.
I have always looked at George as being a talented man with an outgoing personality. He loved pool, gambling, and just having a good time, I was very envious of George because of how I perceived him, not to mention that he was 30 years younger than me.
I first met George at the Massachusetts State Championships in the year 1991. I was booking the matches at that tournament ( I know i'm a bad guy )and couldn't help but notice this young kid, small in stature that very rarely missed a ball. ( Yes I do have an eye for talent ) I quickly adjusted my line according to how I felt I could induce action against this kid ...IT WORKED... I also played George in the tournament and went to hill hill which George won. We developed a friendly relationship at that tournament that lasted forever. Any ways George won that tournament by beating Earl Strickland in the finals, just as I thought he would. No i'm not saying that George was a better player at that time, but it seemed to me that this was Georges tournament and he wasn't going to be denied. George won the tournament and I won pretty good luring betters that liked Strickland, I got lucky.
We'll never know why things like this happen, most think that at's a residue of life..maybe their right...But I can honestly say that I respected George for his honesty, his out look on life, his courage on and off the table, and his passion for the game that we all love. George was a good man, and a great player, and a solid human being.
My condolences goes out to all that knew him, especially his friends and family.
R.I.P. my friend and maybe someday we'll play some one pocket.:wink:
Billy Incardona
Last edited:
No better tribute can be said for Ginky than that there was not one negative or distracting word said about him on this thread. I met Ginky when he was very young and his hero was another great player named George Mikula. George Mikula was another fine gentleman and a great player. Ginky admired and love George Mikula and shared his mentors excellence in the way he treated others.
The first time I ever saw Ginky was at a tri-state tournament at Amsterdamn Billiards in the summer/fall of 1994. I was brand new to pool and had never seen anyone above A player speed. Well, Ginky ended up beating Tony Robles hill/hill in the semi-finals with a very dramatic kick shot (those who were there will remember it well). He lost hill-hill in the final to Rodney Morris but I was a big fan of Ginky's from that day forward. He was a very creative player and no matter who he was playing you always had the feeling he was going to pull out a victory even if he was well behind in the match. I remember him once spotting a local NYC shortstop 2 games on 9, the shortsop was up 8-1 and Ginky gets up to shoot, completely unimpressed with the score and proceeds to run out the set! His opponent looked sick to his stomach. He was always friendly and professional. may he rest in peace.
http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_news/display_article?id=1383
I found this on Billiards Digest:
George San Souci Dead at 39
Mar 9, 2011, 11:18 AM
San Souci excelled in all games, collecting major titles in 9-ball, 10-ball and straight pool.
Just 10 weeks after the death of pro great Wade Crane, the pool world has suffered another stunning loss. George “Ginky” San Souci, who came to the game late and enjoyed meteoric success before being sidetracked by neck ailments, died Tuesday, March 8, in New York City. San Souci was 39. Cause of death has yet to be released.
Born and raised in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, San Souci stumbled into the game in the post-“Color of Money” 1980s, when, as an 18-year-old, he and his cousins started visiting the then-trendy Chelsea Billiards for late-night entertainment. Soon he was hooked on the game and eventually dropped out of high school. Within a few years, San Souci was playing in tournaments, and by the mid ’90s was en route to four consecutive Player of the Year honors on the Tri-State Tour in the Northeast. He was also selected as the Billiards Digest Rookie of the Year in 1995.
San Souci’s rise in the pool world peaked in 1998-99 when he won the Camel Pro Billiard Series Charlotte 10-Ball Open (his first pro tour win), the National Straight-Pool Championship and the BCA Open 9-Ball Championship in a nine-month span. San Souci underwent surgery to replace a herniated disk in his neck in July 1999, and “retired” from pool in 2002. In recent years he had returned to the table, playing sporadically in pro events.
San Souci is survived by his sister, Irene San Souci.
I found this on Billiards Digest:
George San Souci Dead at 39
Mar 9, 2011, 11:18 AM
San Souci excelled in all games, collecting major titles in 9-ball, 10-ball and straight pool.
Just 10 weeks after the death of pro great Wade Crane, the pool world has suffered another stunning loss. George “Ginky” San Souci, who came to the game late and enjoyed meteoric success before being sidetracked by neck ailments, died Tuesday, March 8, in New York City. San Souci was 39. Cause of death has yet to be released.
Born and raised in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, San Souci stumbled into the game in the post-“Color of Money” 1980s, when, as an 18-year-old, he and his cousins started visiting the then-trendy Chelsea Billiards for late-night entertainment. Soon he was hooked on the game and eventually dropped out of high school. Within a few years, San Souci was playing in tournaments, and by the mid ’90s was en route to four consecutive Player of the Year honors on the Tri-State Tour in the Northeast. He was also selected as the Billiards Digest Rookie of the Year in 1995.
San Souci’s rise in the pool world peaked in 1998-99 when he won the Camel Pro Billiard Series Charlotte 10-Ball Open (his first pro tour win), the National Straight-Pool Championship and the BCA Open 9-Ball Championship in a nine-month span. San Souci underwent surgery to replace a herniated disk in his neck in July 1999, and “retired” from pool in 2002. In recent years he had returned to the table, playing sporadically in pro events.
San Souci is survived by his sister, Irene San Souci.
Joe T
New member
I just finished reading every post in this thread, and also watched and listened to the Jim Murnak interview, it was a great interview. George was just as I have always believed, a very special person/player and will sorely be missed by all.
I have always looked at George as being a talented man with an outgoing personality. He loved pool, gambling, and just having a good time, I was very envious of George because of how I perceived him, not to mention that he was 30 years younger than me.
I first met George at the Massachusetts State Championships in the year 1991. I was booking the matches at that tournament ( I know i'm a bad guy )and couldn't help but notice this young kid, small in stature that very rarely missed a ball. ( Yes I do have an eye for talent ) I quickly adjusted my line according to how I felt I could induce action against this kid ...IT WORKED... I also played George in the tournament and went to hill hill which George won. We developed a friendly relationship at that tournament that lasted forever. Any ways George won that tournament by beating Earl Strickland in the finals, just as I thought he would. No i'm not saying that George was a better player at that time, but it seemed to me that this was Georges tournament and he wasn't going to be denied. George won the tournament and I won pretty good luring betters that liked Strickland, I got lucky.
We'll never know why things like this happen, most think that at's a residue of life..maybe their right...But I can honestly say that I respected George for his honesty, his out look on life, his courage on and off the table, and his passion for the game that we all love. George was a good man, and a great player, and a solid human being.
My condolences goes out to all that knew him, especially his friends and family.
R.I.P. my friend and maybe someday we'll play some one pocket.:wink:
Billy Incardona
I first met Gink back in 1990, I was on my way out to Colorado and had never been to Chelsea. A NJ guy told me to watch out for this kid with a baseball hat they call Ginky.
As I turned away from the counter with the balls just in my hands there’s this kid with a baseball hat standing right there.
“Hey looking for a game?”
Ah you must be Ginky, “Ginky??
My name is George”
Well George I go to 3 and you go to 6 trying to sound like I didn’t know what I was doing (which wasn’t hard for me back then) After negotiating and playing cheap he gave me 2 to 7 and I made him show a little speed and paid my donation.
What a rush though as we went to the table, ALL THE SWEATERS grabbing chairs to sit ring side. I was like what the hell is this?
A year later I return home and here’s this Ginky at the first tournament I go to in New Bedford MA, with his cousin Robb
From there the storm started, he started training and doing everything right.
Daily schedule;
Breakfast, Gym, practice, lunch, practice, dinner, nightly action, tournament or night off and then repeat but also making sure to stay rested.
Come Friday he would head out somewhere between Maine & Maryland to absolute heist another regional event, I mean did you see that resume?? He was playing so good that whenever one us thought we had him we would dog it or give him that small opening he was looking for, he was winning matches on the table AND from the chair!
He had the whole weekend scripted, when he was going to eat, leave the room and come back, even when he was going to change his clothes before certain matches. The man was on a mission and nothing was stopping him.
He won by doing ALL THE RIGHT THINGS
My friend Ray Mc and I were also doing the tournament trail at the same time which was both good and bad for us but to both of us he was like an idle.
Billy I was at that tournament in Clemsford and remember you playing Gink then going back to the book and adjusting the upcoming line between George and Rempe to close to even and your partner said what are you doing? You’re reply was
“Well I didn’t miss a ball and lost, does Rempe play better than that?
I also remember the line in the finals and could not believe what I was seeing?
Race to 13 finals Earl and Gink, Gink has to EIGHT! You took my bet, every penny I had and said, “SHHHH, they’re all betting Earl” Gink won 13-8
Earl left that day not to happy but no too hot either saying kids gonna be a great player.
And that’s exactly what happened.
We will all miss you and thanks for everything you did for many of us.
If you never got to meet George than you would'nt know his brand of humor... Here's a bit from the AZ headline news section:
When the surgeon, tasked with placing a cadaver bone in his neck to replacing his deteriorating bone, asked San Souci if he wanted anything before being put under San Souci quipped: "Can you use a bone from Mosconi?" :lol:
I only put a smiley here because i can totally see the expression on his face. If you knew him you would know exactlly what im talking about.
RIP Ginkster you turly were a good guy and a great player :frown:
When the surgeon, tasked with placing a cadaver bone in his neck to replacing his deteriorating bone, asked San Souci if he wanted anything before being put under San Souci quipped: "Can you use a bone from Mosconi?" :lol:
I only put a smiley here because i can totally see the expression on his face. If you knew him you would know exactlly what im talking about.
RIP Ginkster you turly were a good guy and a great player :frown: