85 Comments
Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

John, thank you for this article. So sad to hear this news. So many people die of this horrible disease. Our thoughts and prayers for his family. Fortunately, my wife is a breast cancer survivor. She was one of the lucky ones to beat this disease. So sorry that the Salem community has lost a young talented sports writer.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

David, I could literally have written the same comment as yours!!! I thank God that your wife survived breast cancer--so did mine. It is sad....it takes away our loved ones. I grew up in Salem so my heart will always go out to that community.

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Blessings...

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We are both so fortunate that our wives are still with us. So happy your wife Aldo survived breast cancer.

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Blessings to you both.

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Cancer sucks. There's no other way to put it. My wife worked as an NP in an oncology practice for 30 years, and I've heard the stories. I'm also about to lose my sister-in-law to colon cancer. Yeah, it sucks. And there's not a damned thing you can do but treasure the memories of those who succumb to it.

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Thanks for posting this Jack.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Great tribute! Respectfully HE DIDN'T LOSE!!. No one decides to play a game of cancer. We didn't have a choice. Cancer may take someone, BUT THEY DID NOT LOSE! They lived the best they could, they loved there families. You try as hard as you can. Sometimes science has caught up and positive outcomes can happen and sometimes not. But ANY CANCER PATIENT IS NOT A LOSER. My little sister and my mother passed to cancer. I've been blessed to be a 16 year survivor of STAGEIV Metastatic Melanoma (3-5% survive 5 years) My mom and sister tried just as hard as me to survive. Trust me researchers and dr.s wish they could figure out why I had such a positive outcome and others don't. SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH. We are getting closer than you think to finding durable responses and sometimes a cure. Sorry to ramble. Please keep doing stories like this! And Go Beavs!

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Thanks Mark. Well put.

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Major progress with cancer research is happening, just not in the "standard of care," AMA, pharmaceutical realm. Many of the causes are known. When those are dealt with the symptom called cancer clears. Do a little research and you can find out about this. Most doctors aren't taught about this i their medical schools. Some have continued their learning after that training are are getting results. If you're open to that, search out those practitioners. They are out there.

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Nov 10, 2023·edited Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

My heart sank when I saw this story today. My very first job out of college was a summer news reporting internship at the Klamath Falls Herald and News, where Pete was sports editor at the time. Pete was such a positive influence, both inside the newsroom and out of it. I have fond memories alongside Pete and the other early-career journalists there—sticking around the newsroom late at night to do a final proofread of the first copy of the paper off the press, a summer softball league where Pete had a heck of a bat, and at least one all-night poker game. Pete was always good for a laugh or, when asked, some solid advice. The community has indeed lost a great dude—gone too soon. My condolences to his family and all who loved him.

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He was such a positive beacon.

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The K-town connection

GO DAWGS

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

43 is way too young. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

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Amen

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I’m sorry you lost your friend, John. My condolences.

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Yes cancer is the Sh----t no other way to say it. Jack, May our prayers be with you and your family.

It is hard too think we have lost a young “Dude” to Cancer and to he and his family may he RIP, and he will be missed. It takes a special person to do the work he was doing to bring the “TRUTH” of sports to all who read his work. So many today write “what they believe “ which in some cases may not be the “truth”,

Thank you “dude”.

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Thanks for this Joe.

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My wife of 30 years is battling breast cancer like champ. We don't know what the future holds. As the late, great Warren Zevon once said, we are trying to enjoy every sandwich.

RIP, Pete Martini. Say hello to George Pasero.

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Blessings to you kiwi.

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I lost my baby sister to cancer, she wasn't a baby but very young. A story like this one is sobering but very real. We fans live in a fantasy world of sorts where young men and women are worshipped and emotions can last a week or more over a loss. Who will win Saturday....who will win the conference...gee maybe we win it all. A cancer victim or victim of any other deadly disease just want to win another sunrise. We fans need to practice more random acts of kindness in the world and love each other despite what mascot or colors of our teams are. Be here for each other. RIP Pete.

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I'm sorry Dwight.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Pete was the guy who talked to your athletes whether they were Anthony Gould or just a high school athlete like my son. His writing was informative & enjoyable. He will be missed in Salem.

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For sure... thank you Tami.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

John... you revived the spirit of this "great dude," at least for a time.

Another fine remembrance.

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Thank you Mark. Means a lot.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Another community masterpiece by Canzano. Thanks for that.

I'm certainly not as well known as Pete Martini. Not being local, wasn't aware of his situation.

That being said, I hope that when I go that I can have had a portion of the positive impact that Pete has had upon the community.

To all of his family and friends, May his memory be for a blessing to you,

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Thanks Bruce.

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Once again....a personal real life story. I'm sure like myself, many are thinking of their own life experiences with family and friends who are battling or lost the battle to this dreaded disease. As I look at my white board, I see pictures of my father from that last month of his life. Well, like Pete my father chose to live life to what he could till the end. I remember him saying, "I just didn't know how many nice people there are," referring to all who entered his life in those last few months. So today, I am simply remembering and treasuring my memories of those who've passed and who also gave me so much! Thanks John. And Pete, I read your SJ columns.... rest in peace.

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Thank you Arthur.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

What a great tribute to a fellow passionate professional. You have done him proud. Thanks for this, John.

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Thanks Ed.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Cancer is brutal

Echoing the sentiments of many in regards to their personal battle, both in loss and survival, the latter of which applies to my lovely wife

Godspeed Pete

I hate cancer...

GO DAWGS

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Truth. Thank you David.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Wives are blessings from God!

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Well spoken

GO DAWGS

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by John Canzano

Community newspapers are saturated with good, caring people. They specialize in bringing good news to our lives. RIP.

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Amen. Truth.

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