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Body of Steelers Fan Viewed in Recliner
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Jul 6, 10:13 AM EDT | AP

Posted on 07/06/2005 8:45:18 AM PDT by Brujo

Body of Steelers Fan Viewed in Recliner

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The body of rabid Pittsburgh Steelers fan James Henry Smith, who died Thursday, was laid out this week in what his family said was his favorite spot - a recliner with the Steelers on the television.

Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate cancer. Because his death wasn't unexpected, his family was able to plan ahead for the unusual viewing Tuesday night.

Mourners stood before a small stage erected in the viewing room of the Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home, on which funeral director Roland Criswell had placed furniture, much as it was arranged in Smith's home on game day.

Smith's feet were crossed; a pack of cigarettes and a six-pack of beer were at his side. A continuous loop of Steelers highlights was playing on TV nearby, as Smith was reclined with a television remote in his hand and a Steelers blanket across his legs.

The reaction of Smith's loved ones varied.

"I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58, of Pittsburgh, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for Wednesday's editions. "He loved football and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he was at home."

"I saw it and I couldn't even cry," said longtime friend Mary Jones of Wilkinsburg. "People will see him the way he was. This is just a celebration."


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: snicker
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To: Alexander Rubin
;) I just like the list of snowsports. Snow is awesome. And winter is the best season of the year. When it stays above 15 below. Or even 20 below.

The day I got out of the Air Force I moved to Watertown New York to finally share a roof with the lovely bride I had married 8 months before. That day the high was under zero fahrenheit. It would remain so for the next 40 days, and we got 197 inches of snow that winter. I jknow that last stat because my wife was the post climatologist at Fort Drum.

It is really horrible to have 197 inches of snow and it's too cold to play in it.

61 posted on 07/06/2005 10:40:14 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Proud to be 100% heteronormative.)
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To: Brujo
Some people have been buried in their cars, why not recliners?

If preplanned you can do whatever the hell you want when you depart this good earth. And one doesn't need a stinkin' funeral suit hangin in the closet for decades either. Look for alot of customary things to change as baby boomers start to check out!

62 posted on 07/06/2005 10:44:20 AM PDT by MadelineZapeezda (If you right click on Madeline Albright's image, my name should show up!)
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To: cyborg; Petronski
I suppose I'll be laid out with a laptop and a desk :o)

I'd like to go in my flightsuit with a Packer cap on, like I'm going on TDY with my old jet. I'll probably just end up in a suit, though. Maybe they could bury me in my Packer jersey...

63 posted on 07/06/2005 10:45:04 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Proud to be 100% heteronormative.)
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To: Brujo

The cynical, Steeler hating side of me would like to see their loss in SB XXX played on a loop.


64 posted on 07/06/2005 10:48:36 AM PDT by GOP_Raider (http://justblogbaby.blogspot.com)
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To: Alexander Rubin

I'm not sure he ever wrote an autobio, but there's a bio by David Maraniss called "When Pride Still Mattered."


65 posted on 07/06/2005 10:49:23 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Proud to be 100% heteronormative.)
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To: Mr. Silverback

Neat. And yeah, Mr. Silverback, that does suck. Gotta bundle up, and wear the right gear.


66 posted on 07/06/2005 10:51:14 AM PDT by Alexander Rubin (You make my heart glad by building thus, as if Rome is to be eternal.)
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To: cjshapi
Some definitely. When the movie Crimson Tide came out, I was certain it was about Alabama. Growing up, I was informed that Auburn stood for:

Alabama
Usually
Beats
Us
Red
Necks

67 posted on 07/06/2005 10:57:36 AM PDT by Junior (“Even if you are one-in-a-million, there are still 6,000 others just like you.”)
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To: GOP_Raider

I maintain Larry Brown owes part of his signing bonus with the Raiders to Neil O'Donnell.


68 posted on 07/06/2005 11:16:15 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: Junior

Every SEC fan I've ever met is a fanatic, be it 'Bama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and all points in between(except maybe for Vandy). From personal experience, having been to a few tailgatings at Tiger Stadium: once the beer and whiskey are drunk, the sun goes down and the lights come on, the NFL is nowhere near as crazy as an SEC game.


69 posted on 07/06/2005 11:25:48 AM PDT by ABG(anybody but Gore) (Ketchup Boy is the George Costanza of the US Senate)
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To: NRA1995
"Yew jest go and lay yore hand on a Pittsburgh Steelers fan......"
In Cleveland the next line is, "just make sure you wash them thoroughly afterwards." >:)

-Eric

70 posted on 07/06/2005 11:27:03 AM PDT by E Rocc (Anyone who thinks Bush-bashing is banned on FR has never read a Middle East thread >:))
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To: Brujo

Interesting goodbye.


71 posted on 07/06/2005 11:51:10 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: E Rocc

Unless, of course, said Steelers fan leaves Cleveland fan (are we talking the first Browns or the new Browns?) with bloody stumps, in which case battle dressing supercedes handwashing.


72 posted on 07/06/2005 12:25:30 PM PDT by NRA1995 (Exactly when did enforcing immigration policy become vigilantism?)
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To: codyjacksmom

Not to be morbid. . . . .and I can't even fathom you not being here. . . . . With that being said, as much as you love our leopard chase? ?


73 posted on 07/06/2005 12:50:17 PM PDT by laceybrookesdad (A half truth is a whole lie!)
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To: Brujo

I want to be buried in my seat at Heinz Field. Wiewing will be at the practice facility on the south side where I will be on the field trying to block punts and field goals.....


74 posted on 07/06/2005 1:42:04 PM PDT by GregB (Thank you to all our Vets,past and present!)
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To: Mr. Silverback

LOL


75 posted on 07/06/2005 2:06:14 PM PDT by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: since1868
watched the "immaculent reception" over and over.
76 posted on 07/06/2005 3:32:21 PM PDT by Rakkasan1 (It's cold here and this loud music sucks. I'm either in Minnesota or Gitmo.)
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To: ABG(anybody but Gore)
once the beer and whiskey are drunk, the sun goes down and the lights come on, the NFL is nowhere near as crazy as an SEC game.

Amen to that.

77 posted on 07/06/2005 3:34:20 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Junior
Dunno. You've evidently never met a Tide fan.

Or a Gator Fan...or a Volunteers Fan....or a Georgia fan....

78 posted on 07/06/2005 3:35:41 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: gdani

What's sad is that I used to live in Pittsburgh and mastered an impression of Myron Cope. And it's completely useless outside of Allegheny County.


79 posted on 07/06/2005 3:39:14 PM PDT by AmishDude (Once you go black hat, you never go back.)
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To: Petronski

if this were a Vikings fan, the mortician would have to paint tears on his face to match what people remember him like


80 posted on 07/06/2005 4:31:42 PM PDT by Rakkasan1 (most politicians would rather be important rather than useful)
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