March 27, 2004: David George, Hawley, Pennsylvania

David George, a member of the ATA, PA and NY Halls of Fame died on March 27, 2004 at his winter home at the Silver Dollar in Florida. Twelve-time All-American David George began his shooting career in 1958. During his 33-year career, George shot at 224,950 singles, 112,150 handicap and 117,650 doubles targets. He had a 98% singles average nine times, posted 100x100 in doubles and 33 200x200 singles. His final perfect doubles score and his last two 200s in singles were in 1996, his last full year of registered competition, at age 78. He once missed his 100th handicap target from the 27 yard line which deprived him of his Grand Slam.

January 6, 2002: Clayton Love, Bemus Point, New York

Clayton E. Love, 67, died in his Bemus Point, N .Y., home Jan. 6 after a long illness.

He began his trapshooting career in 1982. Among his trophies were three from singles events at the state shoot. He broke 100 straight singles at the 1983 Grand American.

He was a member of the Busti Trap and Skeet Club and Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, and he had been active in many local
shooting organizations over the years. He taught daughter Jo Ann to shoot in 1982, and even after he retired from the sport he would go to his local clubs to visit and watch.

Mr. Love served in the Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was employed by Pepsi-Cola of Jamestown for 37 years, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Am Vets and American Legion.
Surviving are his widow Mary, one son, two daughters, six granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. (Trap and Field, March, 2002)

March 2, 2000: Tony Mariano, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Tony Mariano of West Chester, Pennsylvania died on March 2, 2000. He was the husband of Jean Mariano. Jean is on the PSSA Advisory Board and a many time Pennsylvania Women's All State Team member. For several years Tony was in charge of the large vendors row at the Pennsylvania State Shoot. He was also an expert golf club maker, often donating his sought after golf clubs to the PSSA Hall of Fame ticket drawings. Tony also donated his clubs to the silent auction of the ATA Hall of Fame, held each year during the Grand American.  

January 3, 2000: David S. Simpson, Camillus, New York

David S. Simpson, 69, of 128 Park Way, Camillus, died Monday, January 3, 2000 at Community-General Hospital.

Born in Auburn, NY, he was a graduate of Cornell University. He retired in 1994 after 31 years in Agricultural Pharmaceutical sales for Merck & Co. Inc. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church, a member of American Legion Post 1541 in Camillus, a member and director of the Camillus Sportsmen’s Club, a member of the Onandaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, a member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association and a recipient of Conservationist of the year award. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors: His Wife, the former Anne Margaret Milliken; two Daughters, Susan M. Cautero of Naples , Fla., and Margaret A. Eversole of Redington Beach, Fla.; three Sons, Peter F. of Tampa, Fla., Stephen M. of Victor, NY and Eric M. of Syracuse, NY. He is also survived by five Grandchildren.

Contributions: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of CNY, 913 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY, 13088

January 19, 2000: Theodore "Ted" Yates, Geneseo, New York

Theodore I. "Ted" Yates passed away on January 19, 2000 at the age of 69. He was predeceased by his son Henry Irving Yates in 1972. He is survived by his wife Kathryn April Yates, 3 sons, Frederick, Stanley and Sherman, daughter April, sister June Thompson, 6 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Geneseo Ambulance Fund.

Ted was an avid Trapshooter who held no less than 12 New York State Championship titles. He was New York State, Western Zone Singles Champion in 1980 & 1981, Western Zone HAA in 1982. He was also New York State Singles Champion in 1976, 1978 & 1980, State Doubles Champion in 1978, State HAA Champion in 1973, 1977 & 1978 and State Veteran Champion in 1996. Ted was inducted into the New York State Trapshooting  Hall of Fame in 1986.

Ted completes his shooting career having shot 104,700 Singles, 48,000 Handicap & 30,550 Doubles targets. One of New York's legends has left us, He will be missed.

May 1, 1999: Robert Callanan, Indian Lake, New York

Robert W. Callanan died suddenly of a heart attack at his Indian Lake, New York home on May 1, 1999. The ATA life member was 62.

Bob fired at 59,600 Singles, 43,200 Handicap and 38,200 Doubles targets during his ATA career. He earned his AA27AA pin in 1995.

He attended the Grand American several times and earned awards at the Dixie Grand, Southern Grand and the Northeastern Grand. He also won many Eastern Division trophies in the past 16 years, and his fondest trophy was the Parent/Child award he won with his son Bill at the 1994 Eastern Zone Shoot in Elysburg, PA. Bob won numerous trophies in central New York, and in Pennsylvania, while staying in his trailer at the Valley Gun and Country Club with his wife Vivian and dog Jake.

Bob also won many awards at the New York State Shoot, which included the first 100 straight in doubles at the NYSATA Homegrounds, and the third ever in New York by a New York resident. He was the creator of the New York State ATA web site, and spent endless hours researching and imputing information for the benefit of the shooters worldwide.

He was a retired electrician from Local 25, Long Island, New York, with over 40 years of service. He was very fond of his grand children, and devoted his time with them when not away shooting. He was a life member of the NRA, a member of the Keystone Sportsmen's Association, Muncy, PA, and West Canada Creek Association, Newport, New York.

Bob is survived by his wife Vivian, trapshooter son Bill, and two daughters, and four grandchildren. He will be missed.