Passing of Jack Colavita

Jack

In talking to a friend at Crown Billiards, He always referred to Jack as "the hardest working man in pool", "he held a full time job and played pool after work"
I met Jack about 5 years ago at Crown. He was always a gentlemen and told it like it is, never holding back. The first time I saw him, I did not know who he was, He was giving a very good B+ player the six ball, beating him soundly. He would go down on the shot, his arm shaking, two strokes and the balls disappeared.
When some of my friends came to Crown for the thursday tournament, I would say to them "that's Jack Calavito a world champion". He would hear me and smile at me. It made him happy to hear that, he felt respected.
He once showed me his personal scrap book of many of his accomplishments. I wish someone could get the book and display for those who did not know Jack. May he rest in Peace.
 
abbassi said:
In talking to a friend at Crown Billiards, He always referred to Jack as "the hardest working man in pool", "he held a full time job and played pool after work"
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It's often forgotten just how many of the top players had full time jobs back then.

Even if we restrict the subject to other players from New Jersey:

Mizerak was a seventh grade teacher (in Edison, I believe) while he won his four straight US Open straight pool titles from 1970-73.

Tom Jennings was a full-time college professor at Middlesex County College when he won his back to back US Open straight pool titles in 1976-77.

Jack was very much a symbol of his era of play.
 
Nice article in today's Star-Ledger about "Gentleman Jack" which can also be viewed on the NJ.com website under the Obituaries.
Gives a little insight into Jack's life and his accomplishments.
He was ever so proud of being able to hold a full time job, raise a family and accomplish what he had in the game.
It's a shame that a large number of friends, collegues and fans of Jack won't be able to pay their final respects due to being at the US Open in Virginia, many of whom will be attending his event next week-end, although I'm sure there will be many fond memories and stories discussed and maybe that in itself is the best way to pay tribute to a friend.
 
Jack

I have known Jack for about 5 years. It was an honor to have him as a regular at Comet Billiards. He often spoke his mind, was insightful, and was damn right funny. I remember playing a cheap set with Jack, and in the middle of the set, he looks over at me and says "Want to go to a movie?". I guess you had to be there, but I couldn't help but laugh and still do when I think about it.

Even though I had only watched him play for the past 5 yrs, I knew he was extraordinarily gifted and that he was born to play pool. How many people do you know ran over 100 balls at 11 or 12 years old? Not many. At around 72 years old, Jack was still able to run 100 balls. He would get up there and play the toughest players around and either be victorious or give them the hardest time.

I learned a few things from Jack and will miss seeing him everyday.

You'll be missed Jack.

Christian
 
Nice Article - Jack Colavita, 73, an ace with cue stick

Railbird said:
Nice article in today's Star-Ledger about "Gentleman Jack" which can also be viewed on the NJ.com website under the Obituaries.
Gives a little insight into Jack's life and his accomplishments.
Click to expand...
Here is the article that Railbird spoke of;

Jack Colavita, 73, an ace with cue stick, by Guy Sterling - Star-Ledger Staff - Friday, September 23, 2005.

Also, the following was posted on Billiards Digest CCB by Jack's Son on Wednesday 9/21/05;

To everyone reading this post.

This is Jack's son (Jack Jr). My mother, sister and I was at my fathers side last night when he passed away. I never thought I would have the courage to do so, but I looked into his eyes just before he passed and told him what a great father, husband he was. I also told him I was so proud of him on all his accomplishments as a professional pool player, and that no one will ever be able to replace his style, and character. My father will always be remembered as one of the most respected and liked players of the game. The game that he loved and held so dearly to his heart. He was an only child, and basically was part of a small family. But his extended family outside his immediate family was all his friends and colleagues in his many years in the Pocket Billiard profession.

He has left behind a legacy which consisted of-
* 385 ball high run in straight pool.
* 5 Time New Jersey State Straight Pool Champion.
* 3 Time New York State Straight Pool Champion.
* New York/New Jersey King of the Hill Straight Pool
champion for 17 straight weeks back in late 1960's.
* 2nd Runner up in the 1974 US Open in Chicago.
* Numerous top 10 finishes in US Open and World
Straight Pool Tournaments.
* Was in the movie "The Player" with Minnesota Fats in

1971
* Appeared on ABC Wide World of Sports in 1983 in a
trick
shot competition with Howard Cosell.
* Won the Paul Sorvino Asthma Charity Tournament in
NYC
in 1999.
* Has resurrected with Bill Haley the NJ State
Straight
Pool Championship in Comet Billiards in Parsippany
which up to a couple of weeks ago was still excited
about being there to play and help run it.

I am basically touching the tip of the iceberg.

I would also like to thank the special friends who visited my father in the hospital the past few weeks. (John Bender and his wife Joan, Steve Lillis, Carmen Lombardo, Al Grasso, Bill Haley, Ron the caterer) Also the dear friends who contacted him to wish him well (Richard Black, Joe Baggio). I hope I didn't leave anyone out.

I know my dad respected everyone he ever came in contact with in the game. His legacy hopefully will live on for ever.

We love you dad (Mom, Cindy & Jack).

If anyone would be interested, there will be a write-up in the New Jersey Star Ledger tomorrow aswell as the obituary on Viewing times.

Thanks for remembering my dad.

Jack Jr.
 
abbassi said:
In talking to a friend at Crown Billiards, He always referred to Jack as "the hardest working man in pool", "he held a full time job and played pool after work"
I met Jack about 5 years ago at Crown. He was always a gentlemen and told it like it is, never holding back. The first time I saw him, I did not know who he was, He was giving a very good B+ player the six ball, beating him soundly. He would go down on the shot, his arm shaking, two strokes and the balls disappeared.
When some of my friends came to Crown for the thursday tournament, I would say to them "that's Jack Calavito a world champion". He would hear me and smile at me. It made him happy to hear that, he felt respected.
He once showed me his personal scrap book of many of his accomplishments. I wish someone could get the book and display for those who did not know Jack. May he rest in Peace.
Click to expand...
I'd like to point out that this photography was taken by Billie Billing and belongs to her collection of photographs. Billie has many more photos of Jack Colivita, as well as, many other professional players from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Please visit www.BillieBilliards.com to see more pool photos.
 
1pocket said:
Sorry to read about Jack. Like many players that grew up in the 60's, straight pool was my first love...

This photo is of Jack in the early 80's
Click to expand...

I'd like to point out that this photography was taken by Billie Billing and belongs to her collection of photographs. Billie has many more photos of Jack Colivita, as well as, many other professional players from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Please visit www.BillieBilliards.com to see more pool photos.
 
sjm said:
Many may not know that in the days of the PPPA (late 1970's and early 1980's), the players voted, once a year, on who had the best stroke. Invariably, two guys got most of the votes: Jack Colavita and Steve Mizerak. That is high praise in view of the fact that many hall of famers were members of the PPPA. Jack had many big wins, but the biggest was surely when he beat Sigel during the World Straight Pool Championships in Philadelphia (1986?)

Let us mourn the loss of Jack Colavita, but as the legends of straight pool are slowly removed from our midst, let us cling to those who remain, and, just possibly, allow their presence to ease our heartbreak.

Let us celebrate the presence of the many straight pool era legends who remain in our midst, such as Mike Sigel, Jean Balukas, Nick Varner, Steve Mizerak, Ray Martin, Allen Hopkins, Jimmy Rempe, Dallas West, Dan DiLiberto, Jim Fusco, Pete Margo, Lou Butera, Jose Garcia, Pat Fleming, Tom Walter and others.

I know Jack would want us to feel this way about his contemporaries.
Click to expand...

Great post and a great point.
Back in the early 70's the US OPEN was held in Vegas at the Stardust. The tournament was about to begin and Jack was practicing14.1. I wasn't there at the time but all were talking about it. Rumors were that he was on a run of about 650 balls when they asked to to stop to begin the tournament. They had postponed the start to let him continue.
This was unofficial before someone starts climbing down my back!!
 
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