Tony Annigoni suicide

[mikemosconi]

Sad to listen to.

Thank you Tony for your contributions in the best way you knew how to move pool forward. So sorry to hear that some parts of life itself were just too difficult for you to endure any longer. All we can say is thanks and God Rest Your Soul.


Well, Tony was correct, the way most kids grew up with pool in this country could never sustain the game as a national well sponsored, participated, or spectators sport . It has to be grown from the ground up, more as a discipline and skill to be learned and enjoyed recreationally, and professionally. Curriculum type settings where young people can learn the game correctly, enjoy it socially, and compete in it equally.

I have hope that somehow a backlash to our ever speeding, depersonalized, hyper active, non-social, techno- driven lifestyles may, hopefully, have some influential and resourced folks look to something such as billiards as an outlet and method to help bring back some sanity and a simpler way of life for all, especially our youth.

All of us need someone in their life that they can lean on in the worst of times- I feel personally saddened when I hear news like this, and realize that yet another person experienced such a despair that they saw no light in their life at all. Stay connected, reach out before you feel you no longer can, you will find a helping hand.

 

[Paul Schofield]

I played him in the Summer of 1976 in San Mateo. I think he was part owner of the room at that time.

I often think to myself: I cannot imagine how painful living must be for those of us who are burdened with mental illness.

 

[sjm]

All of us need someone in their life that they can lean on in the worst of times- I feel personally saddened when I hear news like this, and realize that yet another person experienced such a despair that they saw no light in their life at all. Stay connected, reach out before you feel you no longer can, you will find a helping hand.

Very well said, and we're no longer talking about Tony here.

Those who feel down must have the initiative to reach out to those around them. Similarly, those around them must make an extra effort to keep tabs on all those they care about. For me, one good thing that came out of the COVID year was my creation of a list of about twenty friends I felt strongly about keeping tabs on during the pandemic. Next to each name was the date on which I last spoke with them on the phone, and the list, which I always kept current, ensured that I didn't fail to reach out to any of these people for too long. I plan to keep the list even when COVID is in the rear view mirror. People often have pain that can't be perceived by others unless they discuss it, and keeping the dialogue going is crucial.

Getting back to the subject of Tony, we have lost a guy who was a very positive influence in pool, and woe is all of us because of it.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

I played him a few times back in the nineties, he and I always had good relations. One thing for sure he always had great ideas especially when it came to setting up a pool room of which he did many.

Hope he’s found peace,

 

[JoeyInCali]

I just heard.he jumped off the Golden Gate. Who knows more about this?

Pretty sad news.
I remember him doing the color commentary for the videos of your 8-ball invitational in LA almost 20 years ago.

 

[FranCrimi]

Can anyone confirm this yet? Suicide? Golden Gate Bridge? Where'd that come from?

 

[JAM]

Can anyone confirm this yet? Suicide? Golden Gate Bridge? Where'd that come from?

I think, and I may be wrong, if the suicide was the cause of death, some may be reluctant to discuss it because of that.

David McCumber, who wrote that book, Playing Off the Rail, confirmed he heard the news yesterday, though he did not reveal his source.

Keith said he was sad to learn the news, but that he thought that Tony did have a melancholy sadness about him sometimes.

Personally, I would love to think it is not true, but when David McCumber posted he learned of the news, it gave it some credence in my mind. He was in touch with Tony and stated they were supposed to hook up in the coming months.

 

[mikemosconi]

Can anyone confirm this yet? Suicide? Golden Gate Bridge? Where'd that come from?

I was surprised myself to read this- as usually events like this are and rightfully should be kept very private in terms of release by the police to the general public, I assume someone in the pool community was informed of this by someone the police would have shared this information.

 

[FranCrimi]

I think, and I may be wrong, if the suicide was the cause of death, some may be reluctant to discuss it because of that.

David McCumber, who wrote that book, Playing Off the Rail, confirmed he heard the news yesterday, though he did not reveal his source.

Keith said he was sad to learn the news, but that he thought that Tony did have a melancholy sadness about him sometimes.

Personally, I would love to think it is not true, but when David McCumber posted he learned of the news, it gave it some credence in my mind. He was in touch with Tony and stated they were supposed to hook up in the coming months.

Tony and I were friends. That's why I'm trying to find out what happened. If someone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge you'd think it would be a news item in SF. I can't find any such news item so far.

 

[westcoast]

Tony and I were friends. That's why I'm trying to find out what happened. If someone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge you'd think it would be a news item in SF. I can't find any such news item so far.

I think they stopped publicizing jumps off the Golden Gate because it was unfortunately encouraging more jumps- almost like a form of mental contagion. Also, I thought they put a net in to prevent jumps off the bridge.

 

[BRussell]

The news doesn’t usually give details of a suicide, which is right in my opinion. If you want details talk to the family.

 

[FranCrimi]

I think they stopped publicizing jumps off the Golden Gate because it was unfortunately encouraging more jumps- almost like a form of mental contagion. Also, I thought they put a net in to prevent jumps off the bridge.

That makes sense.

 

[FranCrimi]

The news doesn’t usually give details of a suicide, which is right in my opinion. If you want details talk to the family.

Thank you for stating the obvious. Now it's my turn: If I was in touch with Tony's family, would I be asking questions here?

 

[FranCrimi]

I was surprised myself to read this- as usually events like this are and rightfully should be kept very private in terms of release by the police to the general public, I assume someone in the pool community was informed of this by someone the police would have shared this information.

Actually, Tony wouldn't mind it being publicized. In fact, if he really did this, he probably thought it through and expected it to go public. Despite the demons, he was an extremely intelligent guy and never made a move without a plan.

 

[JAM]

Tony and I were friends. That's why I'm trying to find out what happened. If someone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge you'd think it would be a news item in SF. I can't find any such news item so far.

If you know David McCumber, contact him on Facebook via Messenger. He might be willing to share with you how he learned of his death.

 

[Quesports]

Actually, Tony wouldn't mind it being publicized. In fact, if he really did this, he probably thought it through and expected it to go public. Despite the demons, he was an extremely intelligent guy and never made a move without ea plan.

Very sorry for all his family & friends. I hope they are able to move on with positive memories of him.. Such a terrible tragedy for the survivors to overcome.

 

[jay helfert]

Can anyone confirm this yet? Suicide? Golden Gate Bridge? Where'd that come from?

My source was from his niece. She said there is video of him getting off a bus at the bridge and video of him actually jumping. It happened the day before yesterday. I also looked for confirmation from SF news sources but was unable to find anything. I don't think police release that information until next of kin have been notified.

Tony was my friend for decades. He was very smart, extremely talented and a world class pool player who was capable of beating anyone at anytime.

Tony came to my last poolroom at Hollywood Park and jumped on the triple tough front table and ran 88 balls. That remained the highest run ever on that table with four inch pickets. It was a One Pocket table.

I did not talk to Tony for nearly ten years after his debacle at the Peppermill Casino in Reno, but we had reconnected in the last few months, when he called me out of the blue. He sounded like his normal upbeat self and I never saw this coming.

Shocked is the only word I can think of to describe my reaction. I hope you have found peace now Tony.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

I, like most of the pool world, came to know Tony, along with David, as their adventures unfolded from the pages of "Playing Off the Rail". Those of you who were fortunate enough to have known Tony personally and enjoyed playing and interacting with him through the years have something which is far greater than the pages of any book will ever hold. There is nothing in this world that surpasses true friendship, except perhaps, family. My condolences are extended to all of his family members and friends. Please find comfort in your treasury of memories from better times.

 

[BRussell]

My source was from his niece.

I hope you got permission to publicize the details. There are very good reasons why they usually are not. ”He passed away” should be enough for people who aren’t in touch with his family personally.

 

[JAM]

I hope you got permission to publicize the details. There are very good reasons why they usually are not. ”He passed away” should be enough for people who aren’t in touch with his family personally.

What happens, though, when you say "passed away" is there come those who want confirmation and/or who may doubt the information, thinking it's not confirmed or is an urban legend. And that does happen from time to time.

For sure, it's an uncomfortable topic, but for those who were close to him, knew him, shared memories with him, they are curious and want to know why.