As friends and family say their final goodbyes to the Muhammad Ali today, June 19, 2016 in Louisville, I wanted share an interesting story about the champ from his clipping file in the Times-Tribune Library.
On July 15, 1963, Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, was in Scranton along with his brother Rudolph. He was in Scranton to appear at the Scranton Elks Club charity boxing and entertainment show at Memorial Stadium. During his time here, John “Bruno” Gallagher drove Ali and his party around the area in Ali’s luxury convertible.
Following the appearance, Gallagher drove them to the airport. The car was returned to the Hotel Jermyn garage.
Here is a article from July 26 1963 edition of Scranton Times on how the car got back to Ali.
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
