Wow...seems like every day someone else is gone. Thanks, Will, for passing on the sad news.
When I owned my poolroom, Cue-Topia, in Las Vegas, Donnie was a regular. Since it's probably been twenty years since I've seen him, I've tried to remember a particular incident involving him but the only thing I can come up with is remembering how he just seemed to laugh all the time. Donnie loved life & loved to hang out, shoot the bull & play a little pool. He was a pretty decent player & had plenty of gamble. Not surprisingly, his game of choice was one pocket.
As I knew him first from the poker room as a dealer, once he found out I played a little pool, he was always trying to match me up with other unsuspecting poker players. To our mutual & everlasting regret, it never happened. I think it was because of Donnie's reputation - triple sharp. No one wanted to tangle with anything he was involved in.
Here's a photo from the night of my '88 Cue-Topia Grand Opening. My friend, Gene Catron ("The Mighty Glove"), stopped by on his way to Los Angeles for an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show to set up his trademark pool balls & dominoes spanning four pool tables followed by his trick shot show. Took him almost two days to set it up & once he triggered it, was over in five minutes. This was taken after the festivities. On the left with Donnie & I is another Vegas rounder & regular opponent of Donnie, the late Rex Cannon.
RIP, Donnie...it was fun, wasn't it?!!!
Mary Kenniston
