Re: [PyrNet-L] Pat Alteri

[Jean A Boyd <rvrgrove@erols.com>]

The GPC of Michigan was founded in the spring of 1967 by 13 enthusiastic
families.  I was a founding member along with the Alteri's.  Much was
accomplished during the first two years of the club:  the newsletter, the Pyr
Bark, began publishing every six weeks; a Constitution and By-Laws were approved;
a Hip Dysplasia Control Program was put into operation; the official club
stationery, with Pyr head-study drawn by Sonya Larsen, was printed; support of
local shows; and general meetings were held every six weeks with guest speakers
and films from the PMD Film Exchange.  It was decided that the club should have a
social function with Pyrs so a spring Fun Match and Picnic was combined with the
Annual Meeting each year.  Our first match in 1968 was with the noted Mrs. Mary
Crane as our judge and in 1969 our honored judge was Mrs. Marjorie Butcher.

We also started a first by having an All Pyrenees obedience class in the spring
of 1969, taught by me and Art Larsen.  We had each earned obedience degrees on
our Pyrs.  It was a sight to see 20 Pyrs, dogs and bitches together in the ring
at the end of ten weeks all graduate as well-mannered canines.  The class
attracted weekly viewers plus the local newspaper who devoted a whole page to
pictures and story about the Great Pyrenees.

In March 1970 the club hosted the first GPCA mid-Western Specialty, in
conjunction with the Detroit Kennel Club Show held at Cobo Hall.  This was a very
large and important bench show in the U.S., and we had a record breaking entry of
23 dogs, 18 bitches, 8 specials under judge Louis Murr who selected Ch. Tip'N
Chip Sonny's Reflection as Best Of Breed, owned/bred by Peavey/Bankus-Cooper of
Illinois.

We also saw another first that year with a exciting performance in the obedience
ring by Limberlost Ami Geant Can. CDX and owner/trainer Dr. robert Ross of Canada
resulted in the honor of Highest Dog in Trial, with a Novice score of 196.

The Detroit KC included the Great Pyrenees in their TV publicity about the show.
Our representative in 1971 was Ch. Esprit Blanc, owned by Al and Pat Alteri.

Pat Alteri was indeed a special person who devoted her life to Great Pyrenees.
She was a pioneer of the GPC of Michigan.  She will be missed by all who knew
her!

Jean Groves Boyd,  Rivergroves Great Pyrenees
A founder member of the GPC of Michigan!




JGentzel@aol.com wrote:

> 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.
>
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