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Gil Clancy Obituary
Clancy died early Thursday at an assisted living facility on Long Island, according to his daughter, Patricia Houlahan.
"He lived a good life," Houlahan said. "I'll take it."
Born in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., Clancy boxed in college and in the Army. He earned a master's degree in teaching at New York University and paid tuition by training fighters.
Eventually, Clancy rose to prominence as a corner man and also worked with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya and Ken Buchanan. But he's best known for his 20-year association with Griffith.
Griffith captured the welterweight title from Benny "The Kid" Paret in April 1961 with a 13th-round knockout. Six months later, Griffith lost the title to Paret in a narrow split decision, then regained it in a controversial rematch with Paret in 1962.
With Clancy shouting encouragement from the corner, Griffith knocked Paret unconscious, and Paret stayed propped against the ropes while Griffith hit him repeatedly for several seconds before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. Paret never regained consciousness and died 10 days later.
"It was on my birthday," Houlahan recalled. "That was obviously a really hard thing that they went through. That was very bad, a tragedy. Dad didn't talk about it that much because it was so bad. My father was the type of man who kept that stuff inside."
Clancy, elected in 1993 to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, also was a matchmaker for Madison Square Garden from 1978-81 and an award-winning boxing analyst from 1988-2006.
"We are deeply saddened today with the passing of our friend," said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager, MSG Networks. "His passing leaves a hole in the boxing community and with the Madison Square Garden fam ily. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
The Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., lowered its flags to half-staff in Clancy's honor.
"Gil Clancy was one of boxing's truly great minds," International Boxing Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said.
Clancy is survived by five children, 18 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. His wife, Nancy, died 16 months ago. Funeral arrangements were incomplete, the family said.
Donations can be made in honor of Clancy to the Veteran Boxers Association of New York, Inc. in Long Island City, N.Y. (www.ring8ny.com).
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
37 Entries
khadi madama
March 31, 2019
Gil Clancy will never be forgotten and always celebrated by Boxing History and Media.
Rossy
March 31, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to Gil Clancy family and friends. Although words cannot take away the pain, our loving Heavenly Father understand your circumstances and gives you the strength and power beyond normal to cope. May He grant you the needed comfort. (Philipians 4:6,7,13)
March 31, 2016
May God be with the family and friends during this time of grief.
Lee Olson
June 19, 2014
I spent a lot of years around that sport, and Gil stands alone as a fight man, analyst, and boxing commentator. I still miss him.
How you can show support
Hugh Loeser
June 18, 2014
Gill Clancy is a true treasure as a person and as a boxing trainer. In my view, he was the best boxing commentator I ever listened to. RIP, your a gem.
Hugh Loeser
March 26, 2014
Gibi
neil pasquale
July 17, 2011
you were the epitomy of boxing a great guy.
Ferdie Pacheco
May 23, 2011
Gil Clancy
Gil Clancy, Cornerman, Manager, Madison Square Garden promoter, CBS sportscaster, manager of Emile Griffith welter- middleweight champion, dies in New York quietly.
You would think that with an impressive list of accomplishments Gil Clancy would deserve a fitting eulogy in the sports press of America. After all, Gil was a staple of boxing in the United States for six decades, right up front at the height of visibility. He was a popular and much beloved figure.
So it was some shock that I received the news that my dear friend and regular opponent died in anonymity. He passed gently in the night. His beloved wife of many years preceded him by three years. He drifted away from us all. The boxing fraternity didn't have a chance to give him a farewell supper. Alas. He should have had a huge banquet. If he lived in Miami I would have had a big boxing fans supper, even though only Angelo and I are the only survivors of our heyday when Rodriguez- Griffith three fights dominated the headlines. And what fights they were!
We sailed forth with the huge entourage of Ali’s 80 men called the Ali Circus. Rodriguez packed twenty faithful Cubans. Griffith limped into to win with Gil, Howie Albert and a solemn gentlemanly black man, whose name escapes me, but whose use of English language was remarkable. They stayed at the top of boxing, for over 100 fights and never increased their entourage. In boxing that’s some type of record. But Gil was that old fashioned Irish boxing man. Loyal to a fault. He had befriended an Irish haberdasher, who came to every fight. Today fifty years later Howie waits at home for a call that will never come.
“Come on Howie, grab your stuff, we’ve got Emile fighting in Caracas...sure, for the Title!”
The great Clancy- Griffith -Albert and black gentlemen team has vanished from our TV screens. We will miss them.
Gil is the quintessential Broadway boxing guy. Fast talking, funny stories pour from his mouth with a Gallic ease. Hell, you want to hang around with Gil. He knows everyone, and people seeking him out. Inside the ring he is fierce, much like his rival, Angelo Dundee. They are a lot alike. They are driven competitors. The fighter cannot (will not) lose! The gay sprites are passing us by in the night. You will be missed. My condolences to you great family.
Your Pal in boxing,
Ferdie Pacheco M.D.
Mike
April 13, 2011
Mr. Clancy was my favorite boxing analyst of all time. As a former trainer and manager of World Champions; Mr. Clancy used his extensive knowledge of the "sweet science" to accurately convey what was happening and why in the top boxing matches. He was the best and will be missed. Thanks for for so many great memories. Rest in peace.
norbert sandoval
April 12, 2011
Gils fired up his corner , then the ring . A mans man . will miss him
Renee
April 5, 2011
Sorry to hear of your loss. Truly God is a God of comfort, and He comforts us in all of our tribulation. You are in my prayers.
April 5, 2011
Please allow us to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Clancy family. The Bible teaches that "God is love".(1John 4:16)Surely a God of love cares about you and your family at this time of grief. Take comfort in that love. You are in our prayers.
Alexie
April 4, 2011
"The spirit of man is the candle of The Lord..."(King Solomon) In God's Presence is Eternal Peace for God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Mr. Gil is in Eternity and I pray that The Lord strenghtens and comforts his entire family. Boxing and Gil Clancy go hand in hand maybe in Heaven he will continue to be involved in it in some way. May these words encourage and bless those who read it.
April 4, 2011
i'm deeply saddened by your loss. gil was a true great,he will be missed by all. .... larry (tx).
Bob C
April 3, 2011
Called the fights honestly and fair the same way he walked through life. A boxing legend the will be sorely missed.
carolesuzanne sutton
April 2, 2011
One of the true greats in boxing history. He will be missed.
Kenneth Ford
April 2, 2011
As a true boxing fan and life long friend of the "Sweet Science" we lost a true gentleman, and a great Ambassador for the sport of boxing. May you R.I.P. Mr. Clancy, and you indeed did leave your mark on this world and the sport of Boxing also. Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again.
Dennis Yuhasz
April 2, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with my co-worker and friend Kathy and family..I have been a boxing fan since the age of seven and Gil Clancy and his fighters were involved in exciting, thrilling fights that produced memories that will stay with me forever..he was a true class act and one of Boxing's greatest Ambassadors..
April 2, 2011
My condolences to the Clancy family. May the God of all comfort be with you as you cope with your loss.
Joe D.
April 2, 2011
My condolences to the Clancy family on the passing of your Dad. Gil Clancy was truly a great part of the Boxing World for the past 50 years and as a dedicated fan of the sport, I would like to say that his execellence as a trainer and analyst are not seen often and his style and integrity I fear not to be seen again in Boxing.
I raise a glass to you Gil and hope during fights thruout April they conduct ringside honors (10 bells) in your memory.
Bill Teer
April 2, 2011
Boxing lost one of the greatest. To live in hearts he left behind is not to die. He will always be remembered and loved. RIP my friend.
April 2, 2011
Gil May soul rest in peace. You were a good trainer. Boxing is a dangerous sport and business. in 1962 I was at the fight as expectator. Griffith did what he was suppose to do. Every body knew that Kid Paret was a tricky fighter, sometimes he made believes that he was hurt and lean himself against the rope waiting for his opponent to charge him and all of the sum he start fighting back. Everybody thought that it was one of his trick.
Once again for Gil and Paret, May
god have mercy.
J.A.
tom mcauliffe
April 2, 2011
First time I saw Emile Griffith he was ringside in the Garden as Gil Clancy led Rodrigo Valdes against 'irish' bobby cassidy..in the fight game, Gil Clancy was everything. No one will replace this gentleman.
ed rodriguez
April 2, 2011
I am saddened to hear of the passing of your father. It was a great joy to listen to your father commentate on the fights that used to come on b4 pay per view. My sincere condolences to the entire Clancy family.
April 2, 2011
Patricia Houlahan and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Clancy was my favorite trainer. I loved hearing his voice while analyzing fights or encouraging fighters. May God Bless and comfort you.
Kenny Sito
Jairo Archbold
April 1, 2011
We very sad with the departure of the great boxing trainer and matchmaker Gil Clancy; who bring up the career of so many good fighters, including the legendary Emile Griffith. Here in Colombia we’ll remember Clancy by making the medium weigh Rodrigo Valdez world champion. Nobody else could make Valdez career success but Clancy. He was also master degree from New York University. Rest in peace Maestro Gil Clancy. Jairo Archbold/ Bogotá- Colombia
Email: [email protected]
Eric Pelkey
April 1, 2011
Eric Pelkey, Saanich BC, Canada
Kevin Parker
April 1, 2011
Rest in Peace, Gil. To us "Rockaway crowd kids" you were always a great story teller and fun to be around. I'm sure there is a heck of a beach party going on right now with Lupe, Peanuts, Moose, Al...To the Clancy family, thanks for sharing your Dad with the world.
R Golay
April 1, 2011
To the the family of Gil Clancy - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Gil will be missed by many.
April 1, 2011
To Gil & Fran & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. May he rest in peace. God Bless, Lorraine
Thomas Hardie
April 1, 2011
Rest in peace Gil,you will be missed by many.
Guy McCallen
April 1, 2011
I remember him mostly for Saturday afternoon fights in the early 80"s with Tim Ryan on CBS. He was a very knowlegeable commentator and made for a great listen. They don't make them like that anymore. True "old school". RIP Gil.
Jack Mac Donald
April 1, 2011
I remember watching Gil on the early years of television. My sympathy
goes out to his family and the boxing world. Gil was a man of his word
and a true gentleman. Boxing has lost one of it's greatest.
Jack Mac Donald
steve wood
April 1, 2011
You were the best Gil.
Stephen Fletcher
April 1, 2011
One of the nicest and well-spoken luminaries in the sport of boxing has left us. It seems like he's always been there, adding his expert commentaries on the great fights of the day. Sorry to see him pass, but as his daughter said, he had a great life.
Leon Olson
April 1, 2011
Rest in peace, Gil. You were a great trainer, and the best and most insightful boxing announcer I ever heard. You saw and explained things that most folks missed - but we all will miss you.
Malverne Funeral Home Anthony J. Walsh & Son, Inc.
April 1, 2011
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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