Rich Essig;
Rupert Serrano
By Ross Forman
Rich Essig, a member of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) Hall of Fame, died Sept. 9 at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. He was 86.
Essig was born in Chicago and joined the Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he returned to Chicago. Along with Sam Molinaro, Essig helped organize many fundraisers to financially support CMSA in its early years.
Essig, who served on the CMSA board and was its president in 1991, was instrumental in CMSA's bowling growth in the early years.
"Rich was a tremendous supporter of the [ then ] MSA teams and very active and responsive on the board," said Chicagoan Dick Uyvari. "You could always count on Rich to show up and help out wherever need be.
"It's always sad when someone dies, but he lived a nice, long life; we should all be that lucky."
Essig was a bowler in the local league from 1982-1992. He served as the bowling league secretary from 1985-1990, and on the GAA/MSA main board from 1982-1990.
Essig continued to bowl in the CMSA Tuesday night bowling league until 2007.
"Rich was certainly full of life, even in his later years," said Chicagoan Frank Batusic, who bowled with and against Essig. "Rich always was gung-ho, ready to go. He worshipped the sun like craze and never was shy to meet new people. He always wanted to be in the mix."
Essig worked in sales for a cap and gown company for many years, and also was a representative for the Affy Tapple company for about 10 years.
Rupert Serrano
Rupert Serrano, who has played in the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) volleyball leagues for years, died unexpectedly Oct. 15. He was 34.
"My personal reaction was one of shock and disbelief," said Anton Mulvaney, commissioner of the CMSA's beach-volleyball league. "I know how serious bronchial and/or community acquired pneumonia can be, but never expected it to take Rupert's life. To some degree, [ the shock ] still has not sunk in.
"The [ CMSA ] volleyball community is also in shock."
Mulvaney said CMSA, the Windy City Athletic Association ( WCAA ) and the North American Gay Volleyball Association ( NAGVA ) are each in discussions about doing something to honor Serrano.
"Rupert was one of the sweetest, most sincere guys I've had the pleasure to meet and know," Mulvaney said. "He always had kind words to say, [ was ] very supportive, [ and was ] always willing to lend a hand. He was exemplary in all thoughts and actions.
"He stood up for what he believed in, no matter how much it went against the grain. He was passionate and his character unparalleled; his joy for live [ was ] vast, his love for volleyball intense."
Mulvaney and Serrano were friends for four years, and friendship that took root on the volleyball court.
Serrano served on the CMSA beach volleyball committee for the past three seasons. He took on the ominous task of putting all the score sheets together on a weekly basis. He also updated the standings on the CMSA beach volleyball website.
Serrano also helped with Queen of the Beach tournament and other volleyball events.
Serrano competed in volleyball at the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany.
"I adored Rupert and will miss him forever," Mulvaney said.
Added Chicagoan Scott Nelson: "Rupert was unselfish in his volunteer work. He was a tireless volunteer in the Chicago gay volleyball community and NAGVA. Rupert always had a smile and a hug for everyone."
Nelson and Serrano had been friends for eight years, and they too met playing volleyball.
"He was a great coach/mentor and would scream and shriek while dominating the volleyball court," Nelson said. "He was amazing and hilarious to watch at the same time.
Nelson said one his favorite Serrano tales was the time he brought an exercise ball to sit and stretch while at a volleyball tournament in Cincinnati. "He would bounce around the gym on it while screeching," Nelson said. "He then had someone get on the ball with him and both bounced at the same time.
" [ Serrano's ] red fan and his camera went to every tournament he went to."
Will McKendree of Chicago, who has played volleyball with Serrano, said he prepared for the worst while Serrano was in the hospital. But when he heard of Serrano's passing, "it took almost 30 minutes to register," McKendree said. "I somehow expected that he would be back to his joyful self, and knew deep inside that he would pull through this. It wasn't until I was home that it finally hit me, and I had to deal with the idea that he was no longer with us."
McKendree said the thing about Serrano that stood out the most was that Serrano, "always was intent upon making people around him have fun. He would often do the most ridiculous things if he knew that it would light up someone's night. He cared for every last person around him, and was an outstanding friend."
McKendree and Serrano were friends for four yearsa friendship also formed on the volleyball court.
"When Rupert and I went to Japan, we spent the first night running amuck around Tokyo's Shinjuku district," McKendree said. "After a lovely dinner with perhaps a little too much shochu [ an alcoholic beverage ] , Rupert learned a phrase, 'Dai Suki,' which literally translates into 'I like it a lot.' We ran around Tokyo until 6 a.m. with Rupert yelling, 'Dai Suki' at the top of his vocal range, and at everything from scooters to men to advertisements, etc. It was a wild night that I will always remember."
Serrano worked for the Women's Business Development Center, with side jobs teaching aerobics. He also played badminton and tennis.
Serrano was born in the Philippines, moved to Michigan in his teens, then went to college at Loyola University in Chicago.
"Rupert was always willing to help train those around him [ on the volleyball court ] , and he did it in such a way that was nurturing and kind," McKendree said. "He had a true love of the sport, and always hoped to elevate the skill of those around him.
"Rupert somehow made an impression with any and everybody he met. I have friends that have crossed his path for mere minutes that have sent me messages inquiring about his situation while he was in the hospital. Never before have I met someone that could make a lasting impression like he could, and a positive one at that."
Ben Remor of Chicago, a friend of Serrano's through volleyball, said he was "pretty shocked" for losing a dear friend. And confused
"Rupert was very open and welcoming to everybody," Remor said. "He did not want to be a problem, but rather, always wanted to know what he [ could ] do to help. He was always willing to listen. He was loyal to all his friends.
"His laughter and his cheers [ stand out the most ] . He was just a happy person."
Serrano enjoyed dancing, and loved beauty pageants and figure skating, Remor said.