George Fels -- heart attack

A Story By His Son

George played in our Red Shoes straight pool league in past years and I got to play against him a few times. I didn't know him well but I found him to be a perfect gentleman and a generous spirit. He usually gave me tips after the game or patiently answered my pool history questions.

I found a "father's day" reminiscence posted earlier this year by one of George's sons. It touched me and I think it will also touch you. It has nothing to do with pool, just fatherhood.

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/06/anarchists-brunch-dads-day/
 
Rich93 said:
George played in our Red Shoes straight pool league in past years and I got to play against him a few times. I didn't know him well but I found him to be a perfect gentleman and a generous spirit. He usually gave me tips after the game or patiently answered my pool history questions.

I found a "father's day" reminiscence posted earlier this year by one of George's sons. It touched me and I think it will also touch you. It has nothing to do with pool, just fatherhood.

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/06/anarchists-brunch-dads-day/
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I laughed at this till there were tears...
http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/06/anarchists-brunch-dads-day/
...then I realized the tears weren't from the laughter.

I told George once he was costing me money....I had given at least
20 copies of Mastering Pool to friends....
..he said "I wish you had more friends."
 
Reflections

George had a quote that he had used in one of the issues of Billiards Digest that mirrors loudly, at least for me, and something that I will reflect on. It went like this:

"I now know what a lousy idea it is to take people you like for granted." George Fels

I never knew what George was specifically referring to or if it was just a general understanding that he wanted to share. I assume that he was missing someone that he liked quite a bit and regretted not appreciating them as much as he would have liked, while they were alive.

Last night, a good friend sent me an email after learning of George's death and wrote this: "Re-reading a few of George's columns tonight - I realized that he not only spoke to me- he spoke for me, my feelings for the game - the joy, excitement, anticipation, and the pleasure that has never abated."

Yes, I too enjoyed George's significant contributions to the pool world that covered a large part of his life. In the commentary, booth I would often think of him and use a signature quote of his when appropriate and then would write him and tell him that I used a specific word or two that he had shared in his column. He even responded to some of my musings and offered additional clarity when it was warranted. I told him on more than one occasion how much I enjoyed the way that he wrote.

I had asked George, probably a year ago or so, if he would consider sharing the booth with me and he confessed that he doesn't do a lot of pool commentary but that he would be happy to share the booth with me if the opportunity came to be. That opportunity did not come to pass and it is one item that I will sincerely regret scratching from my Bucket List.

Yes, a giant among us, has left this physical world and we will miss him but the memory of George Fels and all that he shared with us will never be forgotten.

JoeyA
 
I always looked forward to George's article in BD, be great if there were
an anthology of his work published at some date. My condolences to his
family and friends.
 
BobTfromIL said:
I always looked forward to George's article in BD, be great if there were
an anthology of his work published at some date. My condolences to his
family and friends.
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I would like to second this...
I only just now heard of his passing, but his "Tips and Shafts" column in BD was always my favorite.
I'm only sorry I never got a chance to meet the man in person.
 
Chicagoplayer said:
unhappy...


______________________________________________________

I sat with George and Mike Panozzo.
The nurse informed us they were going to bathe him and we went for coffee.
We went back upstairs, and watched as the snow began to accumulate.
Mike eventually left, I stayed.
George's sons arrived and I was informed to say my goodbye's.
Then he opened his eyes!
He hadn't done so in all the hours last night and today, so I got excited and a bit loud (coffee), the nurse came in, told me to keepit down and that he had been opening his eyes.
I argued this may not be new but there was life there.
She exited.
I talked to him and said good bye and went to find his sons.
We talked.
I left and went and stood outside his room a moment, where I heard the tube being removed.
I cried and left.
While it is true he is breathing on his own at present, they expect him to pass within 6-9 hours.
I am angry and I am sad.
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Every year at this time, I get all choked up.

I miss our lunches.
I miss our times at Chris’.
I miss our talks.
I miss his ribbing me.
I miss our laughing.

I will light a yahrzeit candle for you,
as I do ever year Georgie.
Rest well.
 
freddy the beard said:
My old pal, the great pool writer, George Fels suffered a serious heart attack yesterday. He is in Swedish Covenant hospital. I dont have any further info yet, other than he may be in a coma. That was the word I got late last night from Larry Schwartz.

I will find out more as the day goes on. Hopefully, he will be well enough for me to be able to visit him.

We should all say a prayer for George, God knows the pool world needs him.

Beard
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Aww, Freddy.

I miss you too.
 
jay helfert said:
George attended this years Mosconi Cuo, looking tall and stately as always!
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Funny story about this-
I had just had lunch with George the week before MC and left my sunglasses in his car.

He didn’t tell me he was going to Vegas, and I ran into him in the hallway and he whipped out my sunglasses saying, “I thought you might be missing these”🤣
 
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Chicagoplayer said:
Funny story about this-
I had just had lunch with George the week before MC and left my sunglasses in his car.

He didn’t tell me he was going to Vegas, and I ran into him in the hallway and he whipped out my sunglasses saying, “I thought you might be missing these”🤣
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Lots of the old school pool crowd around Chicago are gone. I was lucky to have meet and chatted with many of them.

Another was George Pawelski known as The Polish Prince. A real character. Frank Stellman aka Sailor Cues. Great straight pool player and made a fine cue.. Then of course Buddy who finally got his chance to take over Chris's has left us as well. Add to that list John Davis legendary for his cues and forearms. His shop was full of forearms when I and my friend Bob visited..
RIP to them all..
 
Two old pool players Mark and Brian had been friends all their lives.



When it is clear Brian is dying, Mark goes to visit him. He says my friend, we have played pool forever and we have loved this game dearly. Please do me one favor. When you get to heaven you must find a way to let me know if there are pool tables there.



Brian looks up at Mark from his death bed and says, my friend if it is at all possible, i will do this favor for you.



Soon after, Brian passes away.



A few nights later, Mark is awakened in the middle of the night by a blinding white light. Mark! Mark! Yes i am awake, who is it? Brian says, it’s me, Brian. Mark asks, where are you? In heaven Brian says. And I have good news and bad news.



Mark says tell me the good news first.



The good news is there are pool tables in heaven, they are perfect and the cues and conditions are always excellent. Even better, all our friends and all the greats from the past are here playing, and there are tournaments all the time. Even better than that we are all young again and play for as long as we like and never get tired.



Mark says, this sounds fantastic, like a dream come true! So what’s the bad news?



Brian says, you’re scheduled to play Mosconi on friday night.
 
Quesports said:
Lots of the old school pool crowd around Chicago are gone. I was lucky to have meet and chatted with many of them.

Another was George Pawelski known as The Polish Prince. A real character. Frank Stellman aka Sailor Cues. Great straight pool player and made a fine cue.. Then of course Buddy who finally got his chance to take over Chris's has left us as well. Add to that list John Davis legendary for his cues and forearms. His shop was full of forearms when I and my friend Bob visited..
RIP to them all..
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I knew them all.
Filmed them all too for my documentary on pool/billiards “Raising the Hustler”❤️
I attended many of their funerals.
Here’s Joe Gold, John Davis, Joel Hercek and me at lunch August 2018
 

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Chicagoplayer said:
I knew them all.
Filmed them all too for my documentary on pool/billiards “Raising the Hustler”❤️
I attended many of their funerals.
Here’s Joe Gold, John Davis, Joel Hercek and me at lunch August 2018
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Oh I know that. Remember the time we played in the tournament at Chris's? After our match I told you my Cog was 58 /1/2 inches long. You said no way Joe does not build them that long.. Laid it down on the table next to your cue and lo and behold there it was. The first one he ever made that long. The look you gave me was priceless!! Joe, what a great guy!! Nice pic Angel. Hope things are well with you and your Dad!!
 
Chicago billiard whiz and AZ member Bill Smith was in Tulsa yrs back. He told me that George had written some about him. I didn't know who Bill was and contacted GF. He immediately asked me where i ran into him and offered to send me a couple articles on Bill. Man could George use the language. Great stories told as only he could. RIP Mr. Fels This was one of the articles: https://mr3cushion.com/ "The Desperado and The Invisible Ink" Classic stuff.
 
Quesports said:
Oh I know that. Remember the time we played in the tournament at Chris's? After our match I told you my Cog was 58 /1/2 inches long. You said no way Joe does not build them that long.. Laid it down on the table next to your cue and lo and behold there it was. The first one he ever made that long. The look you gave me was priceless!! Joe, what a great guy!! Nice pic Angel. Hope things are well with you and your Dad!!
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Aww, I remember!!

Thank you so much for your well wishes!
May the new year bring you good health and abundant joy!🙏
 
jay helfert said:
You've been everywhere! At least everywhere pool is played.
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Only with help from friends like you Jay, especially around Santa Monica😉
BTW: I loved the extra omitted story ,”The Gentle Mover”
May you and your family have a joyous and healthy New Year Jay!
Maligayang Bagoun Taoun!🥳
 
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