Vic boff dies

[Roark]

I was about to walk out the door when Larry Aumann

called to tell me this sad news.

The Grand Old Man of lifting left us this afternoon.

He apparently had endured cancer for the past six years,

went into the hospital yesterday, and passed away this

afternoon.

I am running late, but thought many of you who

had attended the AOBS dinner would like to know.

Vic was born Oct 22, 1915, so he marked his 87th

birthday last month.

Did any of you fellows who sat at the grip table at the

AOBS dinner have a chance to meet him?

[John Wood]

It is indeed a sad day.  The Iron Game has lost a great man and one of the few remaining links to the old days.  I met Vic at the AOBS dinner and it was an experience I will never forget.  Someone previously had mentioned to him my prowess at grip strength.  As we were about to shake hands, he looked me in the eye and said "Give me your best."  He will be greatly missed.  

As he was fond of saying--Carry On.    -JW

[3Crusher]

Joe,

I had the honor of meeting Vic at the last two AOBS dinners, and talked to him about once a month for the last couple of years.  He always brightened my day, especially when he would end our calls with his trademark "carry on."  This man was a true class act, and was totally unselfish the way he gave back to the Iron Game.  I am very saddened to hear of this news.  Just this past Tuesday, I sent him printouts of all I could find about the AOBS that appeared on the Internet, as well as a picture of him and me shaking hands from the 2002 dinner.  I should have known something was up when I called and left a message last Wednesday and he did not call back, because that was totally unlike Vic.  For anybody that has spoken to him, we know we have lost a true legend and link to the strongmen of the past, as well as a true selfless and giving gentleman.

[RiotGrip]

That is truly sad, Vic was a great part of the irongame, and he will be missed.  I only got to meat him once at the AOBS dinner, but he was definitely a class act.  My condolences to his family.

[Sybersnott]

I am totally stunned.

Vic and I became good friends since I attended the 2000 AOBS.  I met him there and got my pic with him, then at the last AOBS this past June, we were lounging around long after everyone had left the room; I spotted Vic and asked him if he would take another picture with me.  Of course, he did.

He was so friendly to everybody, and his distictive "carry on" slogan always gave me a smile.  I am very sad to hear this.  I didn't even know about his condition.

We'll all miss you Vic.  I will especially miss you, my friend.

[mobsterone]

He was meant to live forever. RIP.

[Roark]

Vic and I had chatted on the phone for many years. The

master and the student. My pencil scribbling as he

answered questions with a memory whose equal faded

from me years ago.

He would call me before the OldeTimers dinner to get

info on whoever was being honored-specific achievements

of that person etc. But, stories! Did he have stories! And

not 'I heard' but 'I remember seeing'- and in a sport of

egos 'biggest arm', 'best looking babe', 'strongest man',

Vic was somehow out of place. He wanted for each

person to reach inner best, and his calm manner always

put you at ease.

The man who had monstrous reasons to have an ego,

had none.

Just last week I was planning to call him again and

listen to him answer, in first person narrative, with

remarkable recall, some questions I knew he could

help with. I became busy and did not call.

[3Crusher]

Joe,

It was the stories in particular that always had me riveted to my seat.  The last time we spoke, we were talking about the Mighty Atom.  He told me that he thought The Atom was the best ever at bending, tearing, and ripping things.  He told me of a time when Mighty Atom came to Sig Klein's gym in NYC and was going to show how he bit a 20d nail in half.  Of course people in the gym were skeptical that The Mighty Atom was using a doctored nail, so Sig Klein produced his own 20d nail, and without hesitation, The Mighty Atom bit it in half in front of a new bunch of believers.  He also told me about George Jowett a few times, but not in much detail.  Vic always talked about how steroids have ruined bodybuilding, and would always apologize about going on and on about the topic, but I always told him no apologies were necessary because I felt the same way as he did about the use of drugs.  I will really miss him, and it feels like there has been a disturbance in "The Force," to quote Star Wars, when one of the great masters passes on.

[Roark]

Whenever I spoke with Vic, I collected as much

information as I could. Our talks were always profitable

to me because I was speaking to the literal LAST link

between the oldtimers and our era, and I knew the best

way to handle the situation was to sit quietly with ears

open and mouth shut.

The current generation of coming participants in the

iron game may not be aware of what has just left us.

Vic never sought the spotlight. But he deserved it.

Yes, steroids bothered Vic. He told me that huge,

muscular young men would come into his health food

store in new York and want to arm wrestle him. He was

much older than they. But he defeated them, and he

was saddened that their huge musculature was

unaccompanied by strength.

There is now no person in America, perhaps in the

world, with Vic's first hand experience and knowledge

of the old days.

[Roark]

For clarity: Vic died in Cape Coral, Florida at two

minutes after 4pm

on Saturday November 9, 2002.

I am seeing other times mentioned, but his time zone

is what matters in this case.

With him at the time of his passing were Ann, and his son,

Ken, Mike Bondurant, Tom Minichiello, a couple of friends

from the condo complex, and Jan & Terry Todd.

[terminator]

I can't add much to what Steve and John have already said.  Vic was a class act, a super nice guy will be sorely missed.  He was also fearless, a very rare trait in today's world, and stood behind what he believed in.  He lives on in men like Kim Wood, John Wood, Steve Weiner, Bruce Wilhelm, the list goes on.  Thank God we have people like that around to continue to represent the Iron Game as it was meant to be.  Carry on!

[1stCoC]

His legend WILL "carry on" A finer man I have never met. He, while living with the rich memories of our strongman forebearers always put out a hand in friendship to the new guys such as me and I will never forget that kindness he offered me.I told my grip brothers this past Old Time Strongmans dinner would be one to remember and... it will be.Lets dedicate our training and competitions to following the wonderful example a man like Vic Boff has left us. Lord,I will miss him....RS

[Roark]

If any internet mentions of Vic's passing are

encountered by anyone here, I would appreciate

knowing. Have been searching and not found much.

Even on boards which SHOULD contain info, only

a brief mention has been offered.

Thanks.