Obit and Illness July 14, 2004

Obit and Illness July 4, 2004 Gone Racin' by Richard Parks

It is with great sadness that the editor brings you the following news updates:

*Andy Conze passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2004. Andy had Altzeimer's disease, according to longtime friend and

employee, Rod Larmer. Conze was born June 1, 1912, in San Francisco, California. He is survived by his wife, Elaine,

and his brother Vince. The Conze machine shop was famous for their quick change rear ends and other racing innovations.

For a story on the Conze's, send request to me.

*Carl Heap passed away, from complications due to cancer, Thursday morning, July 8, 2004. Carl drove The Phoenix

diesel powered truck at Bonneville, and set many records there. Services will be held Monday, July 12, 2004, Parkway

Christian Center, 229 Northeast Beacon Drive, Grants Pass OR 97526 (Landspeed Louise & Glenn Freudenberger)

*The editor sends his condolences to Bob Webb, president of the Gear Grinders (SCTA) Club on the recent loss of his

grandson, who died in a tragic car accident, just north of San Jose, California.

*ED SARKISIAN SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN:

Ed Sarkisian died today at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, R.I., where he'd lived with a severe case of

MS for nearly 20 years. Ed was New England's premiere drag-racing photojournalist of the 1950s and '60s. His
last public appearance was for June's Charestown (R.I.) Dragway Reunion, an annual benefit staged in his honor

by old racing friends which has evolved into one of the Northeast's most-prestigious car shows. Ed is survived by

his wife, Marge, and his daughter, Pat. This is all the information about his death that I have at this time. The
Rhode Island Veterans Home can be reached by calling (401) 253-8000. (Dave Wallace, Jr)

And, another letter from Bob George:
Ed Sarkisian died this afternoon at the Veterans Home in Bristol, RI. His rally last week at Rhode Island Hospital

brought him "home" to all his friends and caretakers at the Veterans Home. Ed's wife Marge was with him when

he passed. Ed had spent the last twenty years at the Vets Home, where everyone witnessed his strength and fortitude.
Ed will always be one of my heroes, he always fought a good fight. The family has decided to have a private burial

sometime this week. He will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Rhode Island. A memorial mass will be held

at the Veterans home in the next few weeks. Anyone interested in attending please email me and I will keep you

posted. An important part of Dragracing History has been lost today, Ed Sarkisian, Drag Racing Photographer

and indisputable Historian. He will be missed. Bob George

*We get mail dept: It was Ed who told me in 1969 to combine my two loves of photography and drag racing and

I think some three decades later I've finally figured out how to do that. His strength and courage will continue to

inspire me for years to come but I may never forgive myself for not spending more time with him. So long, Ed.
Your pal Mark Hovsepian

*We get mail dept: Sam Kurtovich, BFH World Record at 203 mph in 1975, and NDBA BFH National Champion -

1975. Sam has been struck with incurable cancer and doesn't have much time left. I'm sure he could use our support,

his e-mail address is: fkurtovich@comcast.net (from Lawren Bale)

*This email was received from Scrub Hansen concerning Ermie Immerso: I got a call last night from Pat (Ermie's Lady).

Ermie is in the Torrance Memorial Hospital awaiting a double heart valve surgery. I will let you know any further info

as I get it... (Scrub Hansen)