Heard the news that he passed away.
RIP Pots & Pans
- Thread starter Fast Lenny
- Start date
RIP Pots and Pans
Bernard Rogoff had been pretty sick for awhile.
I think he was in mid 80's.
He was a character - but I think he paid his dues.
He was Johnston City - and a pretty good player.
RIP - you were one of a kind!
Mark Griffin
Bernard Rogoff had been pretty sick for awhile.
I think he was in mid 80's.
He was a character - but I think he paid his dues.
He was Johnston City - and a pretty good player.
RIP - you were one of a kind!
Mark Griffin
Sorry to hear this, he was always good for a laugh. RIP
Bernie was a long time acquaintance of Jack White, who told me several stories about Pots & Pans! He was always wearing his Miller Lite jacket, with "Swear to God I need that last Two!" embroidered on the back. In later years he showed up everywhere in a Charlie Chaplin costume. As Mark said...quite a character, who had seen every side of pool, over the years.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
I saw someone dressed in a Charlie Chaplin costume at the Galveston World Classic. Was that him???
Maniac
Very likely! If he looked 80, it was probably him! He seemed to show up wherever poolplayers were congregating! Vegas and Louisville were two of his staples. LOL 
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
My friend, Mike Berezny, just gave me the sad news that one of the most colorful threads in the tapestry of our game has left us. Unfortunately, some of us suspected that he was nearing the end of his days. He had long been a fixture at the One Pocket Hall of Fame Dinner held annually at Derby City but this year, he was a no-show. We all knew he wouldn't miss it for anything...
Bernard Rogoff, AKA "Pots & Pans," "The Governor" or "Bunny," passed away in a hospice in Las Vegas. Vegas was his home for many years - since at least 1979 - the year I first met him. I believe he was almost 90.
The Guv was the best hustler I ever saw...he could turn the guy that wouldn't bet he was alive or water's wet into someone betting ten or twenty a game - and rehash him week after week, sometimes for years. He was incredibly quick-witted and creative, funny and exasperating, charming and persistent - all rolled up into a guy that never stopped trying to make a buck. Bunny had a daily route that took him all over Vegas - going from bar to pool room to bar - checking out the action or the possibilities. He was a great actor - playing the bumbling salesman, the hapless drunk, the hard-working guy just getting off work or the naive mark for the unsuspecting bar room champ. His spotless late model station wagon was filled to the brim with boxes of cutlery, silverware - all kinds of things. And, of course, sets of pots and pans.
Once a day, he'd come by my place, Cue-Topia, lugging in something from the car, grinning from ear to ear and barking, "Hey, Mare! Betcha you can use one of these or know someone who can!" Everybody in the place would come over to see his deal of the day and he'd almost always get somebody. He'd always get me for something once every few weeks and, invariably, relieve one of the guys of a few dollars on the pool table. He knew I discouraged hustling on the recreational side of the room but the Guv was gentle. He'd never gouge - he'd only nick, so I let him slide. He was cultivating a customer & hustling me at the same time! He'd be satisfied with the five, ten or fifteen bucks he'd relieve them of - he knew he could turn the guy into a weekly allowance.
I've been told by others from his day that he was a top player - just a notch under the legends - but I never saw his true speed. In '96, Bunny came in second in the BCA Senior Singles 8 Ball Championship. I had already heard the news so when he came in the door, I congratulated him and ribbed him about dogging it in the finals. "Dogging it! I was stealing playing all those old farts! Just didn't want to COMPLETELY knock my action!"
And, that was Bunny in a nutshell…always thinking about that next hustle. He was a legend and a character – literally a dying breed. We’ll sure miss the Charlie Chaplin get-up, those corny jokes, the goofy grin and all those one-liners…and I'll sure miss you, my friend. Scout’s honor…
RIP, Guv, RIP…
Mary Kenniston
Bunny & I at the '11 One Pocket Hall of Fame Dinner at Derby City...
Bernard Rogoff, AKA "Pots & Pans," "The Governor" or "Bunny," passed away in a hospice in Las Vegas. Vegas was his home for many years - since at least 1979 - the year I first met him. I believe he was almost 90.
The Guv was the best hustler I ever saw...he could turn the guy that wouldn't bet he was alive or water's wet into someone betting ten or twenty a game - and rehash him week after week, sometimes for years. He was incredibly quick-witted and creative, funny and exasperating, charming and persistent - all rolled up into a guy that never stopped trying to make a buck. Bunny had a daily route that took him all over Vegas - going from bar to pool room to bar - checking out the action or the possibilities. He was a great actor - playing the bumbling salesman, the hapless drunk, the hard-working guy just getting off work or the naive mark for the unsuspecting bar room champ. His spotless late model station wagon was filled to the brim with boxes of cutlery, silverware - all kinds of things. And, of course, sets of pots and pans.
Once a day, he'd come by my place, Cue-Topia, lugging in something from the car, grinning from ear to ear and barking, "Hey, Mare! Betcha you can use one of these or know someone who can!" Everybody in the place would come over to see his deal of the day and he'd almost always get somebody. He'd always get me for something once every few weeks and, invariably, relieve one of the guys of a few dollars on the pool table. He knew I discouraged hustling on the recreational side of the room but the Guv was gentle. He'd never gouge - he'd only nick, so I let him slide. He was cultivating a customer & hustling me at the same time! He'd be satisfied with the five, ten or fifteen bucks he'd relieve them of - he knew he could turn the guy into a weekly allowance.
I've been told by others from his day that he was a top player - just a notch under the legends - but I never saw his true speed. In '96, Bunny came in second in the BCA Senior Singles 8 Ball Championship. I had already heard the news so when he came in the door, I congratulated him and ribbed him about dogging it in the finals. "Dogging it! I was stealing playing all those old farts! Just didn't want to COMPLETELY knock my action!"
And, that was Bunny in a nutshell…always thinking about that next hustle. He was a legend and a character – literally a dying breed. We’ll sure miss the Charlie Chaplin get-up, those corny jokes, the goofy grin and all those one-liners…and I'll sure miss you, my friend. Scout’s honor…
RIP, Guv, RIP…
Mary Kenniston
Bunny & I at the '11 One Pocket Hall of Fame Dinner at Derby City...
Attachments
What a sweet old fellow. How could you not resist a genuine smile like that.
See the Light old Timer and find a table in your new home.
See the Light old Timer and find a table in your new home.
What a beautiful tribute, Mary. Thank you for sharing your feelings and the great photo. May he rest in peace.
RIP Pots.....
Mary,
the last time I talked to Pots was about a year and a half ago, we were talking about Cuetopia and David Lee. He asked me if I knew where he at or if I seen him, He said "He was a Prince of a man, and the best house man ever". Which I agree, I told him if I ever heard from David I'd let him know, that made him happy. He loved David, I never heard of speak of anyone like that. I remeber the one of the first times I saw him At your room in 91-92 I think he was 80 back then
he was built to last!!! going to be sad with out him, he was cool.
If ou have any more pics of the Guv, Pot's etc please share a few, i wonder if anyone has the pic of his jacket "Scouts Honor I need the last 2"
love,
eric:smile:
the last time I talked to Pots was about a year and a half ago, we were talking about Cuetopia and David Lee. He asked me if I knew where he at or if I seen him, He said "He was a Prince of a man, and the best house man ever". Which I agree, I told him if I ever heard from David I'd let him know, that made him happy. He loved David, I never heard of speak of anyone like that. I remeber the one of the first times I saw him At your room in 91-92 I think he was 80 back then
he was built to last!!! going to be sad with out him, he was cool.If ou have any more pics of the Guv, Pot's etc please share a few, i wonder if anyone has the pic of his jacket "Scouts Honor I need the last 2"
love,
eric:smile:
My bestfriend and I still to this day use one of his one liners everytime we see each other. We seen him all over but when he used it on my friend we could not stop laughing and became a statement we use often. Not many people like this guy and everytime I seen him I enjoyed watching his antics. R.I.P. brother give em hell up there!
Always liked him. RIP, Pots.
sad news
First, that is a great picture and I'm glad it is large enough to enjoy! The pool world indeed just got a little duller and a little drabber. When we lose men like that I can't help wondering who is going to fill their shoes? Sadly the answer is nobody. I didn't know him but I mourn every time we lose one like him. RIP indeed, or have a great time catching up with your old "customers" that made it to heaven before you!
Hu
First, that is a great picture and I'm glad it is large enough to enjoy! The pool world indeed just got a little duller and a little drabber. When we lose men like that I can't help wondering who is going to fill their shoes? Sadly the answer is nobody. I didn't know him but I mourn every time we lose one like him. RIP indeed, or have a great time catching up with your old "customers" that made it to heaven before you!
Hu