It is with a heavy heart that I notify Earthquake fans that Gabbo Gavric Ex Earthquake Player, Captain, and Coach has passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 72. Momcilo Gavric came to the U.S. to play for the Oakland Clippers and won a national Championship in 1967. When the League folded in 1969 Gabbo signed with the San Francisco 49rs as a Field Goal Kicker and played 2 years with the Club. He returned to soccer with the Dallas Tornado in 1971 winning another National Championship that year. He returned to his beloved Bay Area and became an original member of the San Jose Earthquakes in 1974 and as Team Captain led the Club to the National Indoor Championship in 1975. He became Head Coach of the Earthquakes and developed the best Coaching record in Earthquakes History. He was the hardest player and maybe the hardest man I ever knew. Incredibly fit, unbelievably intense, completely dedicated, a Man’s Man, a born Leader, a great Teammate, a true friend. His passion for the Game and his passion for the Earthquakes was an inspiration to all. It was impossible to give anything less than 100% if you were anywhere in his presence. Team first was his way of life and it rubbed off on anyone who had the honor of playing alongside him. I am immensely proud that I had that honor. He helped shape the Earthquake Team Spirit that lasted decades. I miss you Pal. Rest In Peace you deserve it. Johnny
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. I am truly saddened by this news. I don't even know what to write. When a hero from your youth passes away, it's not easy. I have fond memories of watching the early Earthquakes play and enjoyed seeing Gabbo play with great intensity. RIP Gabbo
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. I'm proud to say I got to watch him play. Rest in peace Mr. Gavric.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Gabbo Gavric was a club legend from the early days of the franchise, and I not only remember quite well watching him play when I was a kid and helping inspire a lot of people to go to games at Spartan Stadium, but I do remember quite vividly a visit he made to my elementary school with a couple of his teammates. RIP Gabbo. You will be missed.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Gabbo and I were never close friends, but I did get to know him to some degree after his playing days. If you want to identity a person as one who exhibits the qualities you would like to associate with your team, Gabbo is the man. The Earthquakes are fortunate to have Gabbo Gavric as part of their legacy.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Thank you, Johnny, for your thoughtful post on the passing of a Quakes legend. I remember watching the Quakes in the mid 70's. The players would hike up the ramp after games at Spartan and we kids would line up trying to get autographs, handshakes, whatever a kid could treasure. (I still remember vividly the crowd taunting a certain Oakland Stompers GK). After one night when the Quakes had loss, we kids still lined the ramp to get a chance to say hello to our heroes. Gabbo looked like weathered granite drenched in sweat. As intimidating as Gabbo looked, I still stuck out my hand and he shook it as he went by. I blurted out "Thanks, Gabbo". He nodded his head as he continued up the ramp. No longer a kid, I would like to once again say "Thanks, Gabbo". RIP
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Gabbo was a one-of-a-kind man in so many ways and will be missed by everyone who knew him. May God bless his two son's Ivan & Igor during this time... RIP #5!
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. I posted this in the NASL Quakes thread but thought it deserved a mention here.....
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. As another who had the honor to watch player/coach Gabbo Gavric as a kid, one of the more touching moments I have had to witness lately was at the latest Quakes reunion match at SJSU. To see all of the players stop their game and rush over to see the Man when he was brought over to the field brought a tear to my (and my wife's) eye. For me, Wee Man has always been "Mr. Earthquake". To read from Johhny Moore that this was the man that inspired HIM speaks volumes. RIP Gabbo.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Gabbo Gavric remembered: http://www.socceramerica.com/article/37216/obituary-gabbo-gavric-1938-2010.html
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Like many of you, I grew up watching Gabo and am very sad to hear the news. This franchise was built by so many people, but Gabo was, as has been mentioned, a true leader that helped push this franchise. I only hope that the present day Earthquakes honor Gabo, his life, and what he meant to this franchise and community. If they ever get the HOF going again, it would be a real shame if Gabo wasn't the next person put in. R.I.P
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. I wasn't here in the 1970s and never got to witness Gabbo Gavric play. But I was there last summer when that reunion scrimmage came to a sudden stop as Gavric was wheeled toward the field from a hundred yards away and was quickly mobbed. No one had to say anything to know how much he meant to his former teammates.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. is there any information on viewings or the funeral? I am much to young to truly understand what this man has done for the club, but according to these posts and my father's reaction to this news and his explanation of the man, it would be great if there can be a grand Quakes presence at his viewing/funeral...of course, if the family is fine with that.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. A piece of my childhood is gone. As Wee Man stated, he really was the foundation of the Quakes attitude. A hardworking, team player who would run throught walls for his teammates (literally). I remember meeting him, Wee Man, and the Demling brothers at Santa Clara University soccer camp. Oh, how things have changed... Sad day, but great memories. Thanks Gabbo!
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. How about a statue of him at the new stadium? Pure iron just like the man. Sure there were more popular players or well known, but he just set the tone for the franchise and Wee Man ran with it!
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Sounds like a great idea! Why don't the fans raise funds for it? It will be more meaningful if we do. If you're willing to be project manager and gather a team of project volunteers, SSV Community Foundation can provide the institutional support. (It's how we pulled off the Heritage Cup.)
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. A banner honoring Gabbo at the opening match this season (barring a strike) along with a dedication from the team commending his team spirit, support of SJ soccer and never give up attitude would be appropriate. I fear a large amount of the current Quake fan base has no real idea who Gabbo was.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. For those of you who weren’t there to witness the beginning first-hand, it really was something to behold. I was lucky enough to have a friend who played PAL soccer and got a chance to play at half time of an exhibition when the Earthquakes were first coming to town. They would play anywhere, any time. I happened to catch them playing at Mitty High School, where they played the faculty in a basketball game in the first half, followed by an indoor soccer game in the second half. Absolutely brilliant way to showcase their skills and attract fans. They had a form you could fill out for free tickets to their first game (Dallas Tornado?). My brother and I went to the game, got picked up by my dad, and from the next game on, The whole family was season ticket holders for the next 8 years or so. Gabbo truly set the tone for the team for years to come. Even with this team, you can make a case for tracing his (and other Quakes’) impact on America soccer all the way back to the inaugural game of MLS in San Jose. A proud tradition and Gabbo was one of the foundational stones. Maybe a statue might be out of the price range, but a place in the HOF is most certainly warranted.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Across the USA many former NASL players went on to do soccer camps and remained in soccer. Gabbo stayed here as did many others. I got a chance to speak to him before the MLS start up. A very nice guy.
Re: Ex Eathquake Gabbo Gavric R.I.P. Not sure if it was posted somewhere else, but figured it belonged here. Nice article about Gabbo.... Momcilo 'Gabbo' Gavric, an original San Jose Earthquake, was a fighter until the end By Mark Conley Mercury News Posted: 03/25/2010 08:39:29 PM PDT Updated: 03/25/2010 10:31:30 PM PDT http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_14760860