Nearly 1,500 Memorialize Late Pistons Owner Bill Davidson
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Stern Says Davidson Was Involved In
Every Major Decision NBA Made |
A crowd of nearly 1,500 yesterday gathered outside Detroit to memorialize late Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment (PSE) Owner BILL DAVIDSON, who died last Friday, according to Krista Jahnke of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The 90-minute service revealed the personal side of Davidson, a "man who doted on his five grandchildren, favored sweat suits over business suits, thought nothing of answering the door in his underwear and always spoke his mind." Davidson's son ETHAN in his eulogy said, "My father never sought public approval. His aim was never self-glorification. He didn't set out to be so fantastically successful in his professional life so that others might idolize him. He was a great man only in one thing -- he cultivated justice in his home." Davidson's son-in-law, JONATHAN AARON, and Guardian Industries Corp. Glass Group President RUSS EBEID also spoke at the service. NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN, who attended the ceremony, said Davidson was "involved in every major decision" the league made, "from collective bargaining with players, to referees, to expansion, to internationalization." Stern: "He was one of those who always checked in. Every week or 10 days -- except for those periods of time when he was annoyed with me about the officiating. Then he'd go for a couple of weeks." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Lions President TOM LEWAND and GM MARTIN MAYHEW, the entire Pistons front-office, and former Pistons players ISIAH THOMAS, RICK MAHORN, BILL LAIMBEER, DAVE BING and VINNIE JOHNSON were among those in attendance. Pistons President of Basketball Operations JOE DUMARS, strength and conditioning coach ARNIE KANDER and PSE President & CEO TOM WILSON served as pallbearers. The Pistons played the Mavericks in Dallas last night and were unable to attend (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/18).
LEAVING A LEGACY: In Detroit, Joanne Gerstner notes Davidson was "remembered for his love of life and his commitment to help others" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/18). Rabbi JOSEPH KRAKOFF at yesterday's ceremony said Davidson was a "man of modesty and humility ... a man of integrity and vision." Krakoff: "He was fearless, secure, and he never worried. There were no obstacles for William Davidson" (AP, 3/17).
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