Friends of Percy Squint

[Splint7438]

I am deeply saddened to hear this news this morning. My brother and I have both beat our own cancers and have lost our dear mother and older brother. This Cancer has to be beat. And it will be. My earliest memories of Percy is probably the third or fourth time I saw him. I remember thinking "I have seen that hat before". LOL. I remember him from spring training. From his questions to Tim Mead at our tailgate. I have half a memory of Tim asking where he was at our Q&A during BP in Tempe this past spring. Did that happen or did I imagine that? I know I sent him a couple of notes of encouragement during his fight. My heart is aching today as we have lost a friend.

I think we need to have a memorial trophy or plaque In his honor for best question for the round table panel at the AW spring fest. Just a thought. Thoughts?

[Chuck]

[Chuck]

HALOMVP, we're planning on doing something for Mike's friends/family. 

 

Please PM me so we can connect over phone. 

[mtangelsfan]

This is a big loss, first for his loved ones.  Then for all of us at AW and all Angel fans.  This is so sad.  RIP Mike.

 

I seriously propose to rename Spring Fanfest the Annual Percy Squint Memorial AW Fanfest with proceeds going to cancer research.

[Tank]

condolences to you and his family, Jim.

 

Percy was one of my favorite people. that hat, the epic movie reviews, that epic exchange with Arte at spring training a couple of years ago, calling their country Canadia (since they were canadiens) - all of it helped make him who he was, and that was one memorable guy. i'll miss everything about him.

 

any chance we can get word to Arte on this?

[Brent Maguire]

RIP Mike. 

 

I never met him but I saw him quite a bit at Angels games and obviously his posts on here were great. Cancer sucks. 

[DerekGMZ]

I was able to sit down and have lunch with Mike during Halloween weekend.  My gf and I brought him Spaghetti w/ red sauce from BJ's Restaurant.  It didn't sit well with me to see Mike bald and thin, I wanted to hit cancer over the head repeatedly with a bat.  When I arrived I could see him sitting on the front room recliner playing online poker on his phone.  I've played poker with Mike at a few home games, even at a few AW events. He genuinely loves the game. His dry humor is memorable, honest, and always appreciated by me at the table and at social functions.  As we began eating at the dinner table, I was happy to see he had not lost his appetite.  His conversing skills were still in form, the good ol' Percy with a few painful coughs mixed in from the stupid pos cancer.  He told me a story that I've heard before, but It had been a while and I love to hear refreshers.  

 

He was at the Bellagio back before poker's black friday.  There were big named pros sitting in Bobby's Room (A private glass room in the Bellagio set aside for the big game) playing their normal variety of games. He spotted Gus Hansen in the game, who was a decorated backgammon champion.  Mike (being a backgammon enthusiast himself) walks over and asked the host if he knew where to find backgammon games out here in Vegas.  The host then says, "Gus is big on backgammon, I'm sure I could ask and he'll start a game for you.  I'm thinking he'll play $25k a point"  Mike then replies, "Hmm, $25k... Why doesn't Gus stop being such a tight ass and play me for $100k a point" (*Im sure this was executed with the Percy stare of seriousness)  The host replies while reaching for his phone, "Heh... I'll text him, I'm sure he'll accommodate you."  Mike then stops the host as he's about to type "I'm just kiding, sorry, but thanks"          Mike told this story with a big smile.  He capped it by saying it was the time he almost played Gus for grips of money at backgammon (a fanboys dream) 

 

Mike tells this story much better than I wrote it, I hope I did it justice, Mike.

 

By this point Mike is nearly done with his full serving of spaghetti, while pinpointing that BJ's is great, but they need to work on their garlic bread. "This bread is crunchy as F  and no one needs to eat croutons with a meal, Derek"  He then lights up and offers us desert, Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.  He told us it was his favorite and after trying it, I can see why. It was absolutely delicious, thanks again Mike. 

 

Throughout the visit there were some emotional points, which I would rather keep between us. Cancer is a POS.

 

We say our good byes.  After a long hug, we make plans to see each other at spring training.  Mike PercySquint Sword still remained confident, positive and strong despite his fear and pain. 

 

I love you, Mike and it was an honor to have shared moments of life with you. 

Edited November 9, 2014 by DerekGMZ

[Adam]

Thanks for sharing Derek

[AngelsLakersFan]

What a bummer.

 

F.u.c.k cancer.

[DerekGMZ]

I'm sorry, but it didn't hit me until I had to type it out to my gf that Mike is gone. I'm in tears as I type.

 

Mike also mentioned how much he appreciated the AW community. A whole F'n lot.  He was going to post an update, but he needed to get past the rough patch first.  Tank, he could not put into words how much your time and efforts meant to him.  He appreciated all the prayer lists. He said it gave him strength. I'm sad I had to be the one passing on this information, because there are more people who have touched him to which we did not talk about. 

[Dreams]

A great Angels fan.  My sincere condolences to those closest to Mike.

[halobob]

RIP Percy, you will be missed and remembered by many.

[Tank]

I'm sorry, but it didn't hit me until I had to type it out to my gf that Mike is gone. I'm in tears as I type.

 

Mike also mentioned how much he appreciated the AW community. A whole F'n lot.  He was going to post an update, but he needed to get past the rough patch first.  Tank, he could not put into words how much your time and efforts meant to him.  He appreciated all the prayer lists. He said it gave him strength. I'm sad I had to be the one passing on this information, because there are more people who have touched him to which we did not talk about. 

 

thanks, derek. you never really know how deeply you can touch someone.

 

we've been praying for him each day at school, and it's gonna be tough letting the kids know about him tomorrow morning.

[Redondo]

 

Chuck,

 

Using this as my avatar. Hope nobody minds. Tribute to Percy Squint

[FabulousFabregas]

RIP, loved that hat, you couldn't miss it.  I'm sure his spirit won't be too far from Angel Stadium next season.  I still felt my stepdad with me at games this past season, he passed away a year ago.

[HaloCory22]

So ****ing sad. Mike was a great guy. Loved by all here. RIP bud. I know you're up there talking crap on the Yanks and Sox as we speak. We'll never forget you.

[notherhalo]

RIP Mike, a sad day

[ettin]

I'm so sorry to hear that. May God watch over his soul and may he rest in peace.

[Freezer]

Condolences to all his Family and Friends.

[vlad27]

Sad news about Percy - I met him once at ST a few years ago . I just kind of stopped him in the aisle and said " you must be Percy from the Angelswin board " he looked at me shook my hand and I think he was amused that I treated him like a celebrity . I'll miss him on these boards and I'll miss seeing that hat in the stands st ST .

My condolences to all of you that knew him well and called him a friend

Edited November 9, 2014 by vlad27

[HaloMilliVanilli]

It amazes me that the passing of a man that I've never met moves me so much.  Someone used the phrase "iconic" earlier.  If I was traveling anywhere in the world and viewed someone wearing that rice paddy hat with the Halo on it, I would immediately think it was Percy.  Not like you see that type of headwear much.  Who else can you say that about?  The man carved out an incredibly unique persona that would be recognizable to those in the know....AW contributors.  RIP Percy/Mike, you will be missed but never forgotten!

[Mark68]

I never knew Percy. But I will miss him and I hope the best for his family.

Cancer can kiss my ass.

My wife is currently with her father in NH because he is dying of cancer.

Edit: my wife just called to tell me her father passed.

Bite me, cancer!

Edited November 10, 2014 by Mark68

[mp170.6]

That was less than 3 months ago they told him a year, year-and-a-half to live.  Sad. 

 

You never know when life on this earth will come to an end.

[GuliblGuy]

Awww man, this sucks. RIP Mike

[NJHalo]

RIP to an AW celebrity.

I love the shirt he was wearing in the picture. Yankees busters