RIP Mark Pantovic aka Gypsy

petemoss said:
Farewell to an unforgettable character! We had a smoke outside at Soho the last time I saw him. He was blabbering about how the pros didn't know how to make money. Look at me, he says, I made over a hundred grand last year and I didn't have to play against anyone good! (true story BTW, I know the guy he beat for 70K)

R.I.P. Gypster, you crazy rascal!
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I love that story about Gypsy. Thank you for sharing.

The Gypsy I knew was a very generous man with anything he had. Heck, I think he would have given you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.

I never knew him to be short on funds. He was always pumped and used to say he did work hard for it on his job.

One time at the 2003 or 2004 SBE, Gypsy and Keith pulled each other's name in the first or second round of the ProAm. I did not know him well at that time. Keith and I were outside smoking a cigarette and up walks Gypsy. He started barking at Keith, saying how he was going to barbecue him with his break. Keith barked right back. Then the barkfest started to get funny, with each one of them providing little quips. The entire crowd of smokers began to draw near and hung onto every word as they were entertained by The Gypsy and Keith Show. We were all laughing, but I remember worrying about this Gypsy dude on a field of green with that cannon break.

Everybody told me how strong Gypsy's break was, and Keith's break seemed like he couldn't break an egg. I was sweating bullets for this match-up at the ProAm. It ended up neck and neck at the start, but Keith managed to pull ahead towards the end. Gypsy was a gentleman, shook Keith's hand, gave him a big smile and said, "Good game."

Another time up at Turning Stone, some pool fellow pulled Gypsy in the tournament, and I guess Gypsy's break must have been worknig well. Each time he broke, he'd pocket two or three balls and run out. Within what seemed like minutes, he barbecued his opponent. After the match, I saw his opponent leaving the arena with steam coming out of his ears, muttering something like, "I never got a chance to shoot more than twice." Gypsy was on fire that day.

I consider him a friend and will miss seeing him. :smile:
 
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I was there, ringside for this match! It was only my 2nd or 3rd expo, and I had never seen Gypsy before. Gypsy was talking and moving the whole time. He even left mid-match to get some cue-work done. Keith looked baffled at his sudden departure and said "let's play!" I would have thought it was rude, but Keith wasn't really bothered by it, so I categorized it as pretty entertaining. I recall that Gypsy made some nice outs, but never was a threat in that match. He was definitely a memorable character and I wish I got to see more of him.

JAM said:
One time at the 2003 or 2004 SBE, Gypsy and Keith pulled each other's name in the first or second round of the ProAm. I did not know him well at that time. Keith and I were outside smoking a cigarette and up walks Gypsy. He started barking at Keith, saying how he was going to barbecue him with his break. Keith barked right back. Then the barkfest started to get funny, with each one of them providing little quips. The entire crowd of smokers began to draw near and hung onto every word as they were entertained by The Gypsy and Keith Show. We were all laughing, but I remember worrying about this Gypsy dude on a field of green with that cannon break.

Everybody told me how strong Gypsy's break was, and Keith's break seemed like he couldn't break an egg. I was sweating bullets for this match-up at the ProAm. It ended up neck and neck at the start, but Keith managed to pull ahead towards the end. Gypsy was a gentleman, shook Keith's hand, gave him a big smile and said, "Good game."

Another time up at Turning Stone, some pool fellow pulled Gypsy in the tournament, and I guess Gypsy's break must have been worknig well. Each time he broke, he'd pocket two or three balls and run out. Within what seemed like minutes, he barbecued his opponent. After the match, I saw his opponent leaving the arena with steam coming out of his ears, muttering something like, "I never got a chance to shoot more than twice." Gypsy was on fire that day.

I consider him a friend and will miss seeing him. :smile:
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