Death of Ref Johnny "Red Shoes" Duggan
FERRANTE
his webmaster). This name ring a bell, but I cannot place him. Anyway,
here it is for anyone who may have know him or knew of him.
Mark Anthony Ferrante
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Brian R Westcott was good enough to forward me this email from Stanton
Manolakas, the nephew of Ray Gedeon, better known as legendary referee
Johnny "Red Shoes" Duggan:
I am sad to inform the wrestling world of the death of Johnny Red
Shoes
Dugan. He was that energetic referee of the glory days of wrestling at
the
Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles during the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
He died March 26, 2001. His death was due to complications from
Parkinson's
Disease and a broken shoulder he received from a fall.
His real name was Ray Gedeon and after his retirement from the Santa
Monica
Police department in California, he devoted most of his retirement to
refereeing professional wrestling matches around the world.
I am trying to notify many of the great old-timers like Freddie
Blassie,
the Destroyer, Pepper Martin and a whole host of names of guys with
whom he
traveled the circuit. His wife Martha is devastated by his loss as are
the
rest of us in his family.
Bob Barnett
Dugan was the most famous wrestling ref in the world during the boom
period at the Olympic Aud in LA. He reffed all the classic Tolos-Blassie
matches. He was good friends with all the wrestlers.
Gryphon801
him.