91 Comments
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David Gulickson's avatar

“He brought people joy.”

All any of us can ever hope to be known by

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Ray Webb's avatar

John, thanks for the uplifting story on a somewhat dismal day.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thank you.

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ESecPN's avatar

Thx. I was trying to figure out how to say exactly that without offending anyone.

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David Gulickson's avatar

*sigh*

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Dylan's avatar

Very dismal.

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Mark's avatar

Great story. Quite like the Tuba Man in Seattle. Unfortunately that story had a dark turn. I am feeling pretty damn optimistic today.

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John Canzano's avatar

Now I need to know more about Tuba Man.

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Mark's avatar

There was a man that Played the tuba around the stadiums during sports events. He was a good dude. I saw him several times and always gave him money. He was robbed, beaten ,and murdered.

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Mark's avatar

In Seattle.

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Mark's avatar

I usually always give to street musicians. I respect their hustle, and I mean that in a good way. Best I have ever seen was a blues musician on Beale Street in Memphis.

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jon joseph's avatar

Lifting the fog on Frog - RIP

Another great take going well beyond the world of sports. Thanks, JC.

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John Canzano's avatar

Your headline was better.

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Stephen Smith's avatar

You nailed it. I loved going to school in Eugene with all of the eccentric characters roaming around. It added a lot to the university experience

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks S.

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Chris Davidson's avatar

Always bought a couple of his jokes books every winter at the Eugene Holiday Market. Used them as gifts to mail to old friends around the country. The market will seem a little less bright and eccentric without him.

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John Canzano's avatar

Those are collector's items.

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Kevin Hart's avatar

I know you are a sports journalist, but I love it when you include human interest stories, a slice of life that’s off the court, off the field. Thank you!

Kevin

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Kevin. I like telling these stories. Appreciate you.

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Greg Hoard's avatar

Hey John, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I attended the UofO in the late 70's, I'm not sure Frog was hanging around campus then, but I saw him all the time while living in Eugene. I also remember Uncle Ray, a cantankerous guy who was pretty much always inebriated, he lived outside my apartment building for a time while attending Oregon, always panhandling for the next bottle.

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John Canzano's avatar

Flavor... everywhere.

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Matt Mason's avatar

Thanks John. Definitely a staple of Eugene. Always brought a smile to your face and made your day better. Such a loss for future Ducks.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Matt.

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John Luttrell's avatar

My two kids went to Oregon 2003-08 (twins), and after I sent them the story of Frogs passing they both said they bought joke books from him and brought a bit of sunshine on those gray winter days. I remember seeing him often before football games, said hi to him and went on my way. Soft soul. An icon and I do think a statue of some sort close to the book store would be fitting, along with a plaque tell one of his jokes.

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John Canzano's avatar

Institutions...

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Jason Houston's avatar

Frog! I graduated in 1997 and he was already a long-time fixture in my day. Thanks for this memory, John. We had a house on Ferry street with a back porch that attracted all types for short and longer stays; he stopped by a few times. Btw, how does one submit a question to the mailbag?

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Jason.

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P. H. Brenner's avatar

John,

Great piece of writing. Gives one pause when considering the eccentrics in our lives. Without such individuals our humanity is diminished.

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John Canzano's avatar

The scenery matters. Thanks PH.

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Janelle Hartman's avatar

You said nearly 40 years. But at the risk of aging myself, I started at the UO just over 40 years ago and Frog was already a fixture. Or at least it seemed that way.

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John Canzano's avatar

Interesting... I'd heard 38 years. But who is counting. :)

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John Self's avatar

Frog will quack you up!

RIP 🐸

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John Canzano's avatar

Well played.

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Jill Carter's avatar

Another wonderful article beyond sports that you do so well.

May Frog RIP as his quirky self will be missed on the Bookstore street corner.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Jill. Appreciate that you are here for it.

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Al's avatar

John, I didn't know Frog....never lived in Eugene. But now I know him, or at least of him. Glad you wrote this column. It has added to my day. Thank you.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Al.

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Todd M's avatar

There has been a lot of colorful people over the years that have graced the great state of Oregon. Frog is another example of Oregon’s wonderful hippie culture.

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John Canzano's avatar

Appreciate this. Thanks Todd.

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Todd M's avatar

I appreciate it as well. People like Frog makes me ache to leave Texas, after 31 years, and move back home. I really miss Oregon and Portland.

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Todd M's avatar

Last night wasn’t a good one at our house…

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