I met Shronk in much the same way that many of the people in these forums did, over the internet, through his writing. The search for the Circuit intern ended the second I read Justin Shronk's blog. I'm not an easy laugher, and his words had me doubled over on my couch. We had our man, and from that moment on, Shronk never stopped making me, and many of you laugh.
ShronkDaddy was a driving force behind every incarnation of "the radio show." Many have alluded to it already, but his contributions often times went unsung. As a collaborator, Shronk was responsible for some of my favorite, and unfairly credited funniest moments on air: Spanish Mike Sexton, and the Fortune Cookie Final Table Preview Show from Borgata w/ David Lee of the Knicks, are just a few examples. When he was on, Shronk was ingeniously funny, and on the short list of people who could really crack me up. I hope that he knew that I felt this way. As is so often the case, I'm not sure I told him enough.
I say all of this, because I know he took great pride in his role as an intern, then as a video producer for PokerNews, and eventually a radio producer for PokerRoad. It was his life's work, and I don't know that this would have ever changed. All of what you hear and see everyday on this site mattered to him. The site itself, the articles, the show, and most importantly, the people. I know we mattered to him, and all of you mattered to him.
This ride through the world of poker has been a defining journey in my life, and Shronk was always an incredible wingman. He kept me in check when it was necessary, but always believed in me, and supported me when I needed it most. For that I am grateful.
Today I am mourning the loss of a little brother, a grown man who made me end business arguments with a hug, and never let me lose sight of the fact that first and foremost we were friends.
As I sit and read this over, I realize that nothing I can say will properly summarize the pain and sadness that I feel today. Shronk was a huge part of my life, and I already miss him.
It was obviously too soon, but as Shronk would say with his occasionally caustic wit, "Some people run good..."
|