Tim You will Be Missed

A tribute to Tim "Basketball Jones" Smith, our beloved Duffer, who will be missed.

Tim was awarded this flaming tee shirt for downing the hottest Wild Wings they could cook up.

The Tim "Basketball Jones" Smith award was created in 2006 to honor Duffers who have perfect attendance on the ice and 90% attendance at the bar after the game. Tim did that in 2006.

The following Duffers were honored with this prestigious award:

2009 Ken "Stump" Barczynski

2010 Mike "Mini Wheezer" Oskroba

2011 Greg "Beak" Lopatka

If you view this page in the Internet Explorer Browser, you will hear Tim's favorite song. The following pictures were placed on Tim's Picture Board. You can click on the pictures to see the full resolution.








Thanksgiving 2008
Tim was in the final 4	Tim presents the game puck to Hat Trick George

Tim and Bill chomp down on and Uncle Bob Sub.	Stump presents the Duffers most prestigious award to Tim.





Tim's first Duffer Road trip was an 8 hour bus ride to Toronto, so he brought the Wall Street Journal. He got a lot of grief for that.	Thor, Tim and Klinger in the Toronto Locker room.

Tim needed 2 hands to tell this story to Frank, so he put his almost empty beer mug between his legs.

Tim found the biggest beer at the Beer Store in Toronto.

Mike Presecky put Tim's face into a picture of Harold Ramis in the movie, Stripes.

Beak is laughing here, he doesn't know he has a few bruises that will show up in the morning when the beer wears off. Tim consoles Beak by telling him that he is lucky that it was his shot and not Tweedy or Jeff's shot that hit him. I looks worse than it is and since he scored a goal, it was worth it. Besides that, Beak's right hip is all metal since July 2005

The following messages were posted on the Tribune Guest Book by Duffers

December 12, 2008
	Our thoughts and prayers go with Tim and his family. He will be missed and may he rest in eternal peace. Fred, Shirley, Joe and John Bobka
	Fred, Shirley, Joe and John Bobka (Norridge, IL)

Dear Gabe, I'm usually pretty good at expressing myself, but I can't find words to express my sadness at this time, I just want you to know that you can count on Tim's Duffer family to help you through this tough period. When you have a problem, Call me and I'll find a Duffer to help solve the problem. The Duffer Family, came to love Tim and your family and we want to help now and in the future. Greg and Carole Lopatka Downers Grove Greg Lopatka (Downers Grove, IL)
	Greg Lopatka (Downers Grove, IL) Contact me
	Show picture

	December 8, 2008
	Tim was a great friend, Duffer and fellow Naval Officer. Tim and I reminiced about our sea stories when we were in the Navy. Tim flew aircraft and I fought tooth decay. He will be missed by all. FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS.
	Vidas Cemarka,DDS (Bellevue, WA)

	December 8, 2008
	Dear Gabe, Alex, Katherine, James and Nevin. Debbie, Alannah and I had the priviledge and meeting all of you through Bill and Cydney. I had the honor to play hockey with Tim on Friday nights with the Duffer's. We sat beside each other in the dressing room. I loved Tim's great sense of humor. He always had a joke to tell, and his memory of any movie or Seinfeld episode was outstanding. He and Fred (another Duffer) could recite episodes line by line. It was priceless. I know I speak for many of the Duffers, Tim was a great guy. He is a genuine as they come. He will be missed, but his memory of who he was will live forever in our hearts and minds. Greg Lopatka said it perfectly, the Duffer family is here to support you and the kids in anyway that we can. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
	Perry, Debbie, and Alannah Lea (The Woodlands, TX)

	December 8, 2008
	Our thoughts and prayers our with you and your family. If there is anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to call
	Wendy & Chris Mazurk (Deerfield, IL)

December 7, 2008
	TIM: MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU AS A FRIEND AND FELLOW DUFFER. CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY. FRANK & JANICE PRESECKY
	FRANK & JANICE PRESECKY