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Post by AzTex on Oct 16, 2017 21:30:41 GMT -8
Damn. Well, we all knew that at his age there were a lot more days behind him than ahead of him, but he was such a special person, not just a great fan, but a special person I hoped he might have a few more years left. He truly was the greatest Aztec sports fan ever, and a whole lot more. I do, however, firmly believe that he knew just how much we all loved and treasured him. He was one of a kind and he will be greatly missed. SDSU needs to build something or name something in his honor. He is simply the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. How about a plaque or something similar that the players can touch on their way out of the locker room to the field for good luck before each game?
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Post by AztecWilliam on Oct 16, 2017 21:33:45 GMT -8
A sad day? I think not. This is a day to rejoice that someone so dedicated and decent represented our school so well for so long. As I type these words, I am coming to the final hour and a half of my 75th birthday. At 75, you start thinking about what is really important in life. To have had the chance to appreciate, and, however briefly, visit with this man must be put down on the positive side of my ledger.
I only wish my own dad, who only made it to 68 years of age, had been able to live as long as Tom Ables. I certainly did not know the man well, but I'll bet that all who did would say something similar to what Shakespeare wrote .....
“His life was gentle; and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!”
― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
AzWm
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Post by The Aztec Panther on Oct 16, 2017 21:34:59 GMT -8
Damn. Well, we all knew that at his age there were a lot more days behind him than ahead of him, but he was such a special person, not just a great fan, but a special person I hoped he might have a few more years left. He truly was the greatest Aztec sports fan ever, and a whole lot more. I do, however, firmly believe that he knew just how much we all loved and treasured him. He was one of a kind and he will be greatly missed. SDSU needs to build something or name something in his honor. He is simply the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. How about a plaque or something similar that the players can touch on their way out of the locker room to the field for good luck before each game? That would be nice - but I'd also like to see something that all of his fellow fans can see. I don't think he'd want a statue (although many people immortalized in statues deserved it far less), but, I don't know - something in a fan area. Something that can be carried over to the new stadium. Don Coryell, Tony Gwynn, Marshall Faulk, and Tom Ables. He may not have been an athlete, but he was world class all the same!
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Post by The Aztec Panther on Oct 16, 2017 22:16:11 GMT -8
It just struck me - Saturday is homecoming. They need to do something to honor him at halftime.
But instead of a moment of silence, in line with what Aztec William said, we should have a loud, rousing round of applause for him followed by the SDSU fight song!
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Post by aztecmusician on Oct 16, 2017 22:33:27 GMT -8
Sorry to hear this, condolences to his family.
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Post by Old School on Oct 16, 2017 22:43:29 GMT -8
RIP Let's play and pray for him, it's the least we can do. For all he's done, for most of his lifetime. Oldie Out
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Post by namssa on Oct 17, 2017 8:55:53 GMT -8
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Post by junior on Oct 17, 2017 9:21:04 GMT -8
I was just about to be shocked this wasn't posted already. I don't normally look up at the pinned articles.
I knew something was up last Saturday night. He and his family sit across the aisle from us, so I always get to see him and at least say hello or 'bye. They weren't there last week. I noticed it and looked down on the field, a few times they've been on the sidelines. But I didn't see him there, either. The article said he was at the game on Saturday night, so maybe he was in one of the press level rooms. We'll surely miss him and his genuine smile and good humor.
He once stopped on our side of the railing (his row was on the other side of the aisle). He looked down at me, shook his head, and said "You know, by the time you're my age, you should know where you sit." We all laughed. He made it down and u-turned back up to his own side of the railing and his seat.
I always tried to say a few words to him on the way out of Viejas after BB games. Even after losses, he always had something encouraging to say. I will miss seeing him.
Although it's a sad day for Aztec Fans. I don't think he'd want us to feel that way. Nevertheless I'm always sad to hear of the passing of a kind and generous person. We don't have enough of them in the world to lose them. He was a superfan, the likes of which won't soon be seen again on Montezuma Mesa. I hope he's properly memorialized when the time is right. He deserves no less. RIP Tom, you will be missed.
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Post by badfish on Oct 17, 2017 10:22:26 GMT -8
Great man. Met him a few times and always loved to stop and talk even though he had no idea who I was. Definitely going to miss his spirit and love for the game and our Aztecs. RIP.
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Post by survalli on Oct 17, 2017 10:40:09 GMT -8
RIP Tom! team should bring his ashes with them to every game!
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Post by The Aztec Panther on Oct 17, 2017 11:50:59 GMT -8
I've been sharing videos like this one on a couple different message boards that have sports sections...
And people are loving it! Tom was the kind of guy that you couldn't help but love. He certainly lived a full life and was a great example of what an Aztec fan SHOULD be (even if you can't attend all the games, just emulating his class and positive, friendly attitude would make most of us better fans).
There will never be another like him.
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Post by mfaulkhof2011 on Oct 17, 2017 12:06:23 GMT -8
Really sorry to hear this this morning!
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Post by aronoff on Oct 17, 2017 13:04:55 GMT -8
An inspiration and role model for any Aztec fan or contributor. Never expected a thank you – his conduct and loyalty, behind the scenes was someone to emulate on how to conduct yourself. In 70 + years he been through a lot of down years, countless coaches and staff changes– some who valued his efforts and others that didn’t. Still that never wavered his commitment. Will miss him not only on the Hall of Fame committee- his analysis of candidates was honest and unbiased - but in all aspects of life - sharp as a tack to the end.
lucky to have known him.
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Post by aztecandrew on Oct 17, 2017 13:08:23 GMT -8
Tom Ables Field at SDCCU Stadium for the remainder of the season. His initials should be somewhere on that field on Saturday night.
RIP Tom.
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Post by AzTex on Oct 17, 2017 13:22:34 GMT -8
An inspiration and role model for any Aztec fan or contributor. Never expected a thank you – his conduct and loyalty, behind the scenes was someone to emulate on how to conduct yourself. In 70 + years he been through a lot of down years, countless coaches and staff changes– some who valued his efforts and others that didn’t. Still that never wavered his commitment. Will miss him not only on the Hall of Fame committee- his analysis of candidates was honest and unbiased - but in all aspects of life - sharp as a tack to the end. lucky to have known him. Very few people who haven't been close to the program know or understand what Tom did for the Aztecs. He was a great fan and has an attendance record that will never be broken. More importantly it's what he gave of himself behind the scenes the makes him a truly great Aztec and person.
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Post by AztecCamera on Oct 17, 2017 13:25:00 GMT -8
The Boyzey game was his last game which really sucks. This team (who knows why) needs something to motivate them and for Tom to see that disgrace against Boyzey should motivate them to win all of their remaining games.
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Post by Fishn'Aztec on Oct 17, 2017 14:09:27 GMT -8
RIP Tom! If Tom passed away on 10/16 it is a doubly sad day! My best old friend Terry J. Foreman the first AZTEC I befriended in 1969 told me his wife passed away in the morning. Terry's wife was a wonderful person and a brain tumor took her from us too soon! A terribly sad start to a week, the only comfort one can take is that Tom and Brenda are at Peace finding God's Grace. The world is a sadder place without you both. May God Bless you and keep you!
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Post by aztecbb on Oct 17, 2017 19:42:59 GMT -8
If ever there was an Aztec For Life ...It's Tom Ables.
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Post by tonatiuh on Oct 17, 2017 22:32:14 GMT -8
I was very fortunate enough to talk with Tom Ables and see him in person a couple of times. The first time was over a decade ago when we met before a game in the Aztec Village, and I asked him if we were going to win the game that day. He said, "Yes, I think we will, our team looks pretty good to me!" Then, when it was announced that he would be signing his book, GO AZTECS! in the Aztec Village before the game (in 2013). I bought a copy, and was the first in line to get his autograph. He asked me what I wanted him to write to me, and I said just sign it, "GO AZTECS! Tom. He said, " Alright ", and signed it for me while Ernie was there and he took our picture while he signed my copy. I am looking at the book right now, and remembering a very special man who even when the Aztecs were not playing well always kept a positive attitude that they would get better, and never got down on them. Tom Ables was not just an AZTEC For Life, he was MR. AZTEC!!!!!!!! God Bless Him, and my prayers are with his family right now.
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Post by Village Aztec on Oct 17, 2017 22:35:11 GMT -8
Wow I got to be around 2 great men. Don Coryel and Tom Ables. Tom did the advertising for San Diego Trust where I worked. I saw him in the hallways of the Bank many times. I was out of school a couple of years when I volunteered to help out the Aztec Club. Some how I ended up being a board of Director. What a time to be around so many good men. He put me in charge of the football Awards banquet. I choose to have it at the new Student Union. Tom told me I needed to MC the event. I was very introverted then and saw working on the board as a way to grow. I said thanks but no thanks. Tom was President of the Aztec Club that year. You could not have a better MC then Tom Ables. We had another great guy named Ron Reina. If you think it is hard to take a loss like last week I am here to tell you when you know how bad we need money and see a loss could mean a loss of a million dollars you learn how much easier it is to be just a fan. Tom's son asked me on the board about how I knew his Dad. So he asked Tom if he remembered me may be 8 years ago. Tom said yes he did. That meant a lot to me. See I was there when Gina first started working in the ticket office. I hope some of your reading this can get more involved. It can change your life. I can't believe that I flew in to see Arizona and Stanford game. That is about 50 years of being an Aztec Fan. Guys like Don and Tom created everything your seeing this year. RIP. I could not sleep thinking back to those good times.
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