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Remembering Al Cervi
The 1946-47 Rochester Royals. Back: James Quinlan, Arnie Johnson, George Glamack, Dolly King. Front: Dutch Garfinkel, Al Cervi, Red Holzman, Bob Davies, Fuzzy Levane.
News broke late yesterday of Al Cervi’s passing. The NBA Hall-of-Famer and long-time Rochester resident was 92.
Cervi was one of Rochester’s treasures who could be seen from time to time at various civic functions.
ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News all ran the Associated Press release. ESPN’s included a great picture of Cervi with his championship team, the Syracuse Nationals.
Local columnist, Bob Matthews, added his own anecdotes about the life of Cervi.
As stated before, Cervi won the 1955 NBA title while coaching the Syracuse Nationals. Sean Kirst, of the Syracuse Post-Standard penned quite the tribute to the man known as ‘Digger.’
After the NBA, Cervi settled here in Rochester and worked for the Eastern Freightways, Inc.. Because of that job, Cervi became friends with my late father-in-law, Jerry McCabe. Cervi was a regular at social gatherings here at the house. The better half and Ma McCabe fondly recall Cervi as “always having time for everyone.”
I had the chance to work one of Cervi’s camps in the early 90s. It was a treat when he spoke to the kids. Although he was in his 70s at the time, Cervi could still connect with the youths.
Rochester Royals roster provided by BlackFivesblog.com.
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