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Post by schlager7 on Dec 27, 2004 14:22:41 GMT -6
This just went out on the North Texas Division group from Diane Kallus:
For those of you that may not have heard the sad news, Pouj passed away last night. I understand that he was at home with Diana and passed away at midnight.
We will all miss him and what he brought to our fencing community.
Diane Kallus
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Post by JEC on Dec 27, 2004 14:39:38 GMT -6
Photo It is with sadness that I post this message. Coach Pouj lost his bout with lung cancer this morning (Dec. 27) around midnight. Information about his memorial service will posted in the salle's website (see below). www.sallepouj.com/news.htmlwww.sallepouj.com/
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Post by LongBlade on Dec 27, 2004 22:42:31 GMT -6
It was time; the Maestro was suffering. It still hurts me greatly! The world is a better place for his presence, and worse off because of his loss! Kyle
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Post by schlager7 on Dec 28, 2004 14:42:35 GMT -6
Jose Cavazos has posted this on the Fencing Net site:
Update from the salle Pouj website:
"Because fencing was such a central part of his life we will hold the memorial at the fencing salle on Sunday, January 2nd 2005 starting at 11:30 AM."
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Post by schlager7 on Dec 28, 2004 17:51:18 GMT -6
Realizing that there are a number of fencers in our division who may be familiar with the tournament named in honor of his father and mother, but may know little of J. Gerard Poujardieu, himself, I have copied this mini-bio from the All-Texas Athletic Club (ATAC) website. I hope they do not mind and will let me know if they do.
J. Gerard Poujardieu, best known as "Pouj" is a fencing master in San Antonio, TX.
Pouj began fencing at the age of 5 with his father, French fencing master Gerard Poujardieu, Sr. Among his many fencing honors he won the 1957-58 European Three Weapon Championships.
Pouj assisted his father, the long-time head fencing coach for U.S. Modern Pentathlon, by coaching the Junior Men's and Senior Women's team at the 1977 World Championships where his students won overall Gold in Women's and Silver in Junior Men's Pentathlon.
After obtaining his 3rd echelon as a fencing master, Pouj opened his own salle in San Antonio in the mid-'80s. He has coached numerous students to World and National Teams.
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Post by LongBlade on Dec 29, 2004 22:29:51 GMT -6
ATAC is honored! Kyle
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Post by LongBlade on Jan 2, 2005 1:44:41 GMT -6
I just found this story about the Maestro on the Ark-La-Miss forum: www.almdiv.org/I just thought I'd start this thread as a way to remember Pouj. Iknew Pouj a brief time compared to many of his students, friends and colleagues around the Section, but it's still been about 10 years or so. In this thread, I would like for people to share their favorite memories of Pouj - I'll start. In one of the Van Buskirks at Rice back in the 90's ( I don't remember the exact year, maybe somebody can fill that in) Pouj and Mauro were paired up in a D.E. bout. To my knowledge, this was the first time the two had fenced in a tournament, or at least the first time very recently. Probably 50-75 people jockeyed for position to see this bout, doubtless the bout of the day. Mauro was destroying people that day, and was fairly new to the section. Pouj was an established legend, and was one of the most interesting people to watch on the strip. The bout started with Pouj downplaying himself, and all Mauro could do was smile a little, knowing thta Pouj was better than he was letting on. The bout started, both fencers coming together in an action, both appearing to hit, but only Pouj's light went off (amazing how Pouj just had the 'ability' to make people miss, it was amazing). The crowd was totally silent, Mauro had been landing those all day. Pouj, in a way only he could manage, took off his mask, turned to the crowd and proclaimed, "Come on, come on, that's probably the only touch I'll get all day." Pouj then proceeded to rattle off a few more touches. The bout eventually fell in Mauro's favor, but if I recall correctly, it wasn't by much, and was one of the most entertaining bouts I have ever seen. Ok, I'm done (though I have many, many more that I may share later) your turn to share what you remember most (favorably) about Pouj. Bobby Thornton
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Post by LongBlade on Jan 3, 2005 1:06:47 GMT -6
I was one of the many people honored to attend the memorial for Maestro Pouj today at Salle Pouj in San Antonio. There were almost 200 who attended to honor the Maestro, and it was standing room only despite the disruptions caused by the holidays and the ugly weather. The collection of his former students, fencers, coaches, amorers, referees, and USFA and USFOC members from across the state and nation in attendance was incredible!
The memorial was more of a wake, and many of Pouj's former students and friends whose lives he touched stood to tell the many, many stories and memories he inspired. Pouj would have enjoyed that a lot! He'd probably have turned his back, crossed his arms, and looked away in feigned disgust... but he'd really have enjoyed hearing all those old stories very much! Pouj took fencing with deadly seriousness, but he loved to laugh and joke and play practical jokes, and just act goofy. That was Pouj.
Pouj was already a fencing icon when I started fencing in 1976. I remember when he would walk by and tell me what I was doing wrong, even though I was not one of his fencers. When I stupidly proceeded to keep doing it, he'd turn his back and look off into space. That was his way of saying that I should listen to him! I wasn't insulted, I was overjoyed that he thought enough of me to take the time to try to help me. And, I knew that Pouj was just being Pouj with me.
Fencing has lost a great master. The world has lost a great man. And I have lost a great friend. But we are all better off for having known him! Good bye, Maestro!
Kyle Maysel All Texas Athletic Center San Marcos, TX
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