18 Comments
Mar 20, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Great article about a great man! Crazy to think about how many memories he is a part of!!

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Mar 20, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Thank you for the article John.

My dad was an engineer for Komo and for Katu and he worked with Bill.

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well said, John. Bumped into Schonz at a recent blazer game Not that we're close but we do crossroads in the sports world now and then - and he remembered my name! Made my day!

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Mar 20, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Mahalo John!!! Dad loves you too!!! Aloha from Molokai!!

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Mar 20, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Used to talk with Schonz at Robbi's, a sports bar on Terwilliger (now Tryon Creek). He had one rule: no Blazer topics. He had his red wine and was so knowledgeable about all sports. He listened well and, of course, talked even better. It was a joy.

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Mar 20, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Some of my fondest childhood memories were watching the blazers with Shonz play by play!

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We moved from Eugene to Portland in 1972. Had just got Steve Prefontaine's autograph when he visited my school. Been a loyal Zers fan ever since and though my grandfathers and my own pop are gone, I feel like Schonz is a member of the family. That's what he means to the Franchise and it's fan base.

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As a kid we would go to the beach and listen to the games on the trip. Doing the dishes we listened to the games. I still hear his voice when the Blazer won the championship, I was ten at the time but the memory is deep. Thanks Shonz!!!

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A wonderful tribute to one of Portland's finest citizens, and a delightful photo of Bill and Harry.

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The Blazers should be having a huge retirement party open to the public for the Shonz! He will always be a huge part of the Blazers cornerstone. Rip City Shonz!!!

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As a kid growing up in Gresham during mid ‘70’s most Blazers Games weren’t televised. My link to the Blazers was Schonz & I have great memories of our family sitting around radio enjoying Blazers Games through Shonz’s vibrant play by play calling & story telling. In 1991, I moved from Portland to Yakima, WA for a sales job. Moving to Yakima was like moving to Siberia & I was alone & a little lonely. I was bummed I didn’t have access to Blazers Games on TV or radio. By blind luck, one night I drove a few blocks from my Yakima apartment to a Mini Mart & found I could get Blazers Games on radio if I parked in the fourth spot to right of door to store. Wow, there was static but I could hear the Schonz! I spent a full year going to this spot & listening to Blazers Games. That brought me so much unexpected joy & I was no longer lonely. The Schonz is the Blazers & will forever be grateful!!

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