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Virtual Memorial
Big Gee
We have lost a big part of West
Coast polo. Big Gee was a man with as big a smile and heart as
he was, and that was mighty big. He was born in Carpinteria,
California, the heart of California polo until the Desert came
along. No matter where you went around Carpinteria, they knew
Big Gee was polo even though most of them did not know where
the polo grounds were. The first time we played polo in Santa
Barbara was 1976, Big Gee was announcing and our boss was shocked
when we were called 'The Oakies". But it was Big Gee and
everyone just said don't worry about it, later that day, we met
him and it really did not matter as that was Big Gee and he was
honest as the day is long every day. He was as opinionated as
anyone I ever knew, but he knew more than most people around
polo. He was a very good groom, very knowledgeable about horses
and players, and a good salesman. After he quit riding and making
Ken Fransen into a 6-goal player, he saved George of JHHE of
going broke, then he built a whole herd of new polo players into
stars with a steady stream of abuse and confidence. He could
build them up and then bury them when they got cocky, but they
always knew they could talk to Big Gee and be glad they did!
I think he made Peewee polo into Junior polo as anytime you were
watching and Big Gee was announcing, you thought you were at
the Argentine Open and the Peewee players were literally flying
down the field! However, if you looked a slow parent was often
leading them, but the kids loved it and wanted to play any Sunday
when Big Gee had the mike. I did not know him all that well,
but I am old and have been around polo for 28 years and he was
the best announcer I have ever heard so far. He made the crowd
enjoy the game and he will surely be missed as the voice of West
Coast polo. It's my hope that up there in the big field, he and
Artie Cameron are getting the Peewee polo going. The Crowder's
and Junior Polo Players from the West Coast.
Big
Gee was the best announcer. He made you feel you were at the
"Open" even if it was 2-goal polo. The kids loved to
have him announce because they thought they were in the "Open".
Susan Stovall
Although I never meet Big Gee he must have been
great fun and a special man! Reading all the comments about his
life and times makes me sad that I never had the chance to meet
him! You are all lucky to have had the experience! Best regards,
Jerry Hutcheson
Detroit Polo Club
I have never met Big Gee
But my family The Galindos have told me so much that I wish
I would have met him. I just wanted tell the people that lost
him that he is in a better place and he will be safe . He will
be watching all of yall.
--Cassie G. Melendez
This
is a virtual memorial in memory of Big
Gee. If you would like to submit photos or words about Big Gee
please e-mail them to lynn@polobarn.com
and the content will be posted on these pages.
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What matters most in this
life is the people with whom we share our lives, our friends
and family who make the precious moments of this life worth living.
And so it was with our dear friend, Big Gee. Whenever we think
of Big Gee, we smile. We remember him holding court on the sidelines
of a polo game, everyone waiting to hear what he would say next.
It didn't matter if you were 10 goals or 0 goals, Big Gee always
had something to say and everyone always wanted to hear it. We
remember him running Argentine Polo and Leather, and cooking
barbeques. And we remember that whenever Big Gee was around,
the sun shone a little brighter, the breeze blew a little cooler,
and we all laughed a little louder. Big Gee may not be on the
sidelines anymore, but he will always be with us!
To put into words how much
Big Gee meant to us is not possible. He was part of our lives
for so long and we have so many great memories. We will always
be thankful our son got to know him and we know it was important
for Gee as well because when first diagnosed with cancer, he
said he wanted to see the baby, we still cry when we think of
his determination. And yet he lived another two and half years
and became our son's buddy and would always say, "Mira,
it's the Zach Attack". He will forever be in our hearts
and we will know he is always watching over us!
Krissy, Jake & Zachary Devane
Gee
was a friend to all and he knew no strangers. When he was in
the Northwest, his presence brought sunshine and happiness. He
had a way of adding laughter and excitement to any game. Gee
was a polo icon.
Gordie Wood, Tacoma Polo Club
Big Gee was the King of the Swap
Meets; I can't imagine what Dwayne will do without him because
Gee was the only one who even bought anything. Julie Roenisch
I will remember Big Gee as a gentle
giant with a kind heart and full of life. He enjoyed the friends
he had for many years and even throughout his illness, he continued
to share in our lives. He will be remembered in our hearts for
years to come. Sara Silacci
Big Gee was my Godfather. He was a
very loving and caring person. He was the rock I leaned on in
my teenage years.
I had the opportunity to visit
with him this summer in Oregon and he also met my daughter for
the first time. It was a wonderful visit and I thank God that
I had the time to hug and kiss him again. I will miss him very
much, and he will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cristina Gonzalez Quesada
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3
You are now on Page 3
Back To Profiles Page
We have lost a big part of West Coast polo. Big Gee was a man with as big a smile and heart as he was, and that was mighty big. He was born in Carpinteria, California, the heart of California polo until the Desert came along. No matter where you went around Carpinteria, they knew Big Gee was polo even though most of them did not know where the polo grounds were. The first time we played polo in Santa Barbara was 1976, Big Gee was announcing and our boss was shocked when we were called 'The Oakies". But it was Big Gee and everyone just said don't worry about it, later that day, we met him and it really did not matter as that was Big Gee and he was honest as the day is long every day. He was as opinionated as anyone I ever knew, but he knew more than most people around polo. He was a very good groom, very knowledgeable about horses and players, and a good salesman. After he quit riding and making Ken Fransen into a 6-goal player, he saved George of JHHE of going broke, then he built a whole herd of new polo players into stars with a steady stream of abuse and confidence. He could build them up and then bury them when they got cocky, but they always knew they could talk to Big Gee and be glad they did! I think he made Peewee polo into Junior polo as anytime you were watching and Big Gee was announcing, you thought you were at the Argentine Open and the Peewee players were literally flying down the field! However, if you looked a slow parent was often leading them, but the kids loved it and wanted to play any Sunday when Big Gee had the mike. I did not know him all that well, but I am old and have been around polo for 28 years and he was the best announcer I have ever heard so far. He made the crowd enjoy the game and he will surely be missed as the voice of West Coast polo. It's my hope that up there in the big field, he and Artie Cameron are getting the Peewee polo going. The Crowder's and Junior Polo Players from the West Coast. Big Gee was the best announcer. He made you feel you were at the "Open" even if it was 2-goal polo. The kids loved to have him announce because they thought they were in the "Open". Susan Stovall Although I never meet Big Gee he must have been great fun and a special man! Reading all the comments about his life and times makes me sad that I never had the chance to meet him! You are all lucky to have had the experience! Best regards, Jerry Hutcheson Detroit Polo Club I have never met Big Gee But my family The Galindos have told me so much that I wish I would have met him. I just wanted tell the people that lost him that he is in a better place and he will be safe . He will be watching all of yall. --Cassie G. Melendez
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To put into words how much
Big Gee meant to us is not possible. He was part of our lives
for so long and we have so many great memories. We will always
be thankful our son got to know him and we know it was important
for Gee as well because when first diagnosed with cancer, he
said he wanted to see the baby, we still cry when we think of
his determination. And yet he lived another two and half years
and became our son's buddy and would always say, "Mira,
it's the Zach Attack". He will forever be in our hearts
and we will know he is always watching over us! Gee was a friend to all and he knew no strangers. When he was in the Northwest, his presence brought sunshine and happiness. He had a way of adding laughter and excitement to any game. Gee was a polo icon. Gordie Wood, Tacoma Polo Club Big Gee was the King of the Swap Meets; I can't imagine what Dwayne will do without him because Gee was the only one who even bought anything. Julie Roenisch I will remember Big Gee as a gentle giant with a kind heart and full of life. He enjoyed the friends he had for many years and even throughout his illness, he continued to share in our lives. He will be remembered in our hearts for years to come. Sara Silacci Big Gee was my Godfather. He was a very loving and caring person. He was the rock I leaned on in my teenage years. I had the opportunity to visit with him this summer in Oregon and he also met my daughter for the first time. It was a wonderful visit and I thank God that I had the time to hug and kiss him again. I will miss him very much, and he will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Cristina Gonzalez Quesada
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