New York Giants lose another co-owner to cancer

New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Giants co-owner Preston Robert "Bob" Tisch passed away Tuesday at the age of 79.

Tisch, who had been battling inoperable brain cancer since the summer of 2004, died just three weeks after fellow team owner Wellington Mara passed away. Mara died of cancer on October 25 at the age of 89.

In 1991, Tisch paid $75 million and owned a 50 percent interest in the Giants. He completed the negotiations with Tim Mara, Wellington's nephew, just a few months after the Giants won Super Bowl XXV.

"I was very fortunate," Tisch said in a 2002 interview. "I got a call from (former Cleveland and Baltimore owner) Art Modell telling me that Tim Mara wanted to sell his half of the team and asking me if I would be interested in purchasing it. I met with Wellington Mara and John Mara and said I'd be very interested. There were no problems with them, and then I bought my share of the team from Tim Mara. It's been a great relationship and a great boon to me. I'm very happy to be the 50 percent owner of the New York Giants."

Tisch, who was postmaster general of the United States from 1986-88, also was the chairman and director of the Lowes Corporation. In addition, he served as chairman of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau for 19 years and was the founding chairman of the New York City Convention and Exhibition Center Corporation. He was also the chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Democratic National Conventions held in New York City in 1976 and 1980.
A lifelong sports fan, Tisch attended every Giants game, home and away. His two sons are now important members of the organization as Steven is the executive vice president and Jon is the treasurer of the organization.
source : www.sportsnetwork.com