Obituaries
Garden City Classmates Remember Dave Jennings, 61
Former New York Giants punter who battled Parkinson's disease since 1996 died June 19 at his New Jersey home.
Garden City High School's Class of 1970 lost one of its own June 19.
Dave Jennings, known for his record-breaking athleticism as a professional punter for both the New York Giants and New York Jets, battled with Parkinson's disease since 1996. He passed at his home in Upper Saddle River, N.J. at the age of 61.
Four years after graduating high school, where he ironically never wore a Trojans football jersey, Jennings played in the National Football League until 1987. He holds the Giants franchise records for punts (931) and yards (38,792) and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl from 1978-1980 and 1982.
After pro ball, he shared his love of the game as a commentator for both the Giants and Jets between 1988 and 2007.
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He conducted player interviews from the locker room as part of his pre- and post-game show work with his former Giants team as a game analyst alongside WFAN Giants announcers Bob Papa and Dick Lynch.
Jennings left broadcasting altogether following the 2008 season.
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"Dave had an arm like a rocket," he said. "When he became an NFL punter I told my friends that the Giants would certainly use him for fake punts. But I don't think he ever threw a pass. I guess what I thought was a 'rocket' when I was 15 years old wasn't up to NFL standards! But he did have a heck of a professional kick."
Don Bennetter, class advisor and Spanish teacher at Garden City schools, added, "At a class reunion I asked Dave what he was doing these days. 'I play football, Mr. B.' he answered. I responded, 'That's nice Dave, but what do you do for a living?' After staring at me for a moment in disbelief, we both had a good belly laugh! Dave was a great asset to the class of '70 ... may he rest in peace," Bennetter said.
Fellow Class of 1970 graduate Ann Derounian Banks, who took French classes with Jennings, remembers him as a "towering presence filled with a certain quiet, shy charm and sense of humor."
"What I find so truly amazing and inspiring is he made a very successful career in a sport he did not play as a youth and that he made a valiant effort to make the most of a life shared with a crippling condition," she said. "May we all take a page from his play book! ROCK ON DAVE! My memories of you are 'forever young!'"
Jennings is survived by his sister, Susan, and her husband, Harley. The family has asked that donations be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Suzie Alvey contributed to this article.
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