Re: [PyrNet-L] Pat Alteri

[JGentzel@aol.com]

1999 is a rough year on really special Pyr People.  We are leaving some holes 
that will be missed greatly by us all.  

Pat Alteri was a very special person.  Maryann and I first became aware of 
her about 1976.  I know Pat and her husband Al had been in Pyr for years at 
that time.  They had had a really nice dog Ch.  Esprit Blanc.  Pat and Al 
were always the backbone of the Detroit Pyr Club.  I believe this club was a 
true pioneer of regional clubs.  I suspect that second to the California 
Club, it might have been the next regional club.  I am sure someone  from Cap 
National can let us know if they came along before the Detroit club.  The 
thing that made the Detroit (Midwestern Club) stand our was their 
innovations.  They were a leader in many respects and put on a truly fabulous 
regional specialty, way before there were much in the way of Regionals.  Our 
first trip to Detroit was March 11, 1973.  Benched Show.  Wow, what a sight.  
About 90  Great Pyrenees benched all day (unheard of numbers in those days) . 
 We were benched just down from Soleil and Jack Magoffin (Kansas, who was a 
club member).  Judy Bankus later to become Cooper was there with Tip'N Chip 
Sonnys Sundance Kid ( I believe he was a young dog then, non Champion).  I 
remember her saying as everyone commented on how gorgeous he was, that she 
"Thought she would keep him."  An understatement to say the least.  Bob and 
Judy Brown were there.  Ann  Rappaport was there.  Jean Groves (Now Boyd)  
was there.  Steve Berman was there.  Great show.
The judge was Mrs. Passini-Birkett from England.  I will never forget hearing 
Mrs. Passini-Birkett saying the Pyrenean Head had been lost.  Thank goodness 
she was wrong.  It probably was lost in England and maybe in North America at 
the time.  I think she might say different now even in England.  There still 
are some good historically correct heads around. 

In any event the Detroit club did tremendous things for the breed in those 
days.  They did it with style and people traveled tremendous distances to 
attend their shows.  Pat and Al Alteri deserved much of the credit.  Pat 
worked tirelessly for the breed.  

Personally I am devastated by her passing.  I know that just this past GPCA 
specialty, she worked tirelessly (late into each night) for the Historic 
Preservation exhibit.  Our love and sympathies go out to her family and other 
friends.  We will miss seeing her smiling face, joking and gossiping, ever 
again.  We will all miss most of all the devotion and dedication she has 
given to us all these past 30 plus years.  

Au revoir Mon Pat Alteri.