Johnny had all the rough edges of a road player, but he was incredibly stylish over the green felt, especially when he was young. The things I remember most about him:
1) Loved to talk about his childhood friendship with Cisero Murphy, with whom he often practiced, and his close association with Murphy's mentor, James Evans.
2) Often spoke of how he was one of the few whites that was welcome in all of the poolrooms of Harelm in the 1950's. Spoke of how Greenleaf had similarly endeared himself to the many great pool players of the Harlem scene.
3) Loved straight pool as much as anybody, but, when in action, he seemed to prefer one pocket.
4) Practiced alone for hours, recall watching him play pool alone for as much as ten hours at a time.
5) Loved to try running a rack of straight pool after the break shot without having the cue ball touch a rail.
6) Detested nine ball. Called it, and I quote "the best game played on a pool table, except for all the others."
7) Incredible story teller, often spoke of his exploits with Jersey Red on the road.
I've related this very "matter-of-fact" story about my experience with the late John Ervolino before on the forum. The incident took place over ten years ago at Amseterdam Billiard Club. John and I were gambling at nine ball, and when I pocketed an eight ball, he commented "you don't need to shoot that," referring to a relatively routine shot I'd left myself on the nine. He then took out the rack, placed it on the felt, put it back under the table and said "never mind, shoot it." Rather astonished at this strange act of gamesmanship, I shot and made the nine ball. Disgusted, I commented that I'd been around pool for decades and had never seen THAT move. His rather remarkable, and blatantly unapologetic, reply was "well, now you've seen it."
Yup, he was a character for sure.
but not like I love my beloved wife.
