Henry St. Clair Passing
September 28, 2011
New Orleans, LA
I am very sad to inform all of you that we have lost another great umpire. Henry St. Clair passed away on September 26th, 2011 from a heart attack.
He will be sorely missed by all. He was a great official, and a member of our NAFA Umpire Committee, and wonderful friend.
Funeral arrangements to follow, it should either be Menomonie Falls, WI or Ocala, FL. He died while visiting his cousin in New Orleans.
Henry St. Clair, HOF Umpire, Friend to ALL Passes
IN MEMORIAL TO A GREAT MAN IN A GREAT SPORT -He left us, September 26, 2011 but his spirit will carry on
Henry “Hank” St. Clair
Hank graduated from the Sun Belt Umpires School in Charlotte, NC. His officiating career began over 30 years ago in Cleveland Ohio with stoppages for military, work and family. He learned to play baseball and softball in the sandlots of Cleveland and in high school. He continued to play and learned to officiate while in the USMC. His officiating career took off when forced to replace an ill official at a little league game.
He has officiated all levels of softball and baseball including youth, recreation, high school, college and some minor league assignments. He has worked several organized Adult World Series that include NAFA, MSBL, Roy Hobbs and NABA.
He believed that rules knowledge, mechanics and common sense are essential tools for a good umpire. Learning what good umpires do to present themselves respectfully and professionally are necessary for all. Hank St. Clair will be missed. Once his service arrangements are made we will post it here. We are all very sad that this quite healthy individual should leave us. He had a heart attack and passed on quite quickly. He is the NAFA East Deputy for UIC Carley Parish and is in the NAFA Hall of Fame as an Umpire. He was the East Masters World Series UIC Sept. 9-11 where he was in great spirits and his smile blessed us all. We will post all comments sent in here. Here are a few already.
“Crew,This is particularly sad news for me..as many of you know, Hank and I were “roomies” for the 3 years at the World Series and he spent countless hours driving me around, “schooling me” on the men’s game, and generally helping me become a better umpire..” Pete Davis, NAFA West UIC, California
“I just read about Hank’s heart attack. Hard to believe. I just talked to him in Rockford. He always had a smile and was a pleasure to know. He will be greatly missed.” Mike White, Wisconsin
“I am very saddened and in shock to have to tell you that Henry St. Clair passed away on Sept. 26th. His wife just e-mailed me.I will keep you posted on details in regard to his funeral.This week is a great loss to our organization.” Carley Parish, NAFA UIC, from Eastern Canada
“Very sad news. Hank and I go way back, at least as far as Salem in 2002. Hank collected team hats and I gave him one of ours. I guess I was lucky as I got to spend all afternoon and evening with Hank at the Consolation bracket at Rockford Class “A”. He definitely will be missed.” Jim Williamson, Washington State
“What a shock. He seemed in perfect health at the Masters. His normal outgoing self. A sad day indeed.” Loren Lathrop, NAFA VP, Wisconsin
“Very sad news!!! Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family. He will be greatly missed, but his memory and how he help/improved those around him will be seen and passed on everywhere we go. Thank You Mr Henry St. Clair” Brandon Blum, Washington State NAFA Umpire
“Very stunning and sad news. I went way back with Hank and we had so many great days on the NCAA and men’s FP diamonds. Will definitely miss his presence and leadership on and off the diamond. His love for the FP game was unmistakable. With regret every year I always said we should get out and play some fall golf–I’m definitely a hacker–but we never did. The flags are flying at half staff in the umpiring community today.Take Good Care” Tom Ueberroth, Wisconsin NAFA Umpire
“My Thoughts and Prayers go out to “Hanks” Family a truly great teacher and fine man! God Bless! And God Bless our NAFA Family! ” Clark Evans, NAFA Umpire, New Mexico
“I still can’t believe it! We have all lost a friend indeed. Hank was one of a kind and will surely be missed by all…on and off the diamond. My sympathy and prayers go out to his family.” Steve Komorowski, NAFA Umpire Wisconsin
“I can’t express enough how shocked I was when I got the e-mail about Hank’s passing. I’ve known Hank along time now. High school softball, and summer travel tournaments. I’ll miss him very much. My deepest condolences to his family for their loss. ” Tom Grey, ILLINOIS NAFA Umpire
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