HAVLICEK, John Joseph, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 25th, 2019 at the age of 79 in Jupiter, FL from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Former teammate Bill Russell was among those in attendance and shared a final goodbye on Twitter after the service concluded. [24] Besides his prolific scoring, he was also well-regarded for his defensive skills. John was proud to have partnered with many charitable causes during his lifetime. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Its always emotional to see the old Celtics players come back, 11 championships in 13 years. Learn more about managing a memorial . - MAY 23: Former Boston Celtic Tommy Heinsohn leaves the special parking area at the funeral for Boston Celtic great John Havlicek at Trinity Church on May 23, 2019 in Boston, MA. $2.49 (25% off) FREE shipping. How Did John Havlicek Die? (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald), Former Boston Celtic Tommy Heinsohn speaks to the media at the funeral for Boston Celtic great John Havlicek at Trinity Church on May 23, 2019 in Boston, MA. Havlicek excelled in basketball, football and baseball in high school. John Havliceks cause of death was not revealed, but Havliceks Family said in a statement he had Parkisons disease. His number 17 was retired to the Boston Garden rafters on October 13, 1978. Games held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Martin Luther King Jr. Day have been an annual tradition since the 1986. What is harder is when we lose guys like John Havlicek, he was not just a teammate & a great guy, but he was family. And justifiably so. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. It is getting difficult each time I hear about another contemporary that passes! Its always emotional to see the old Celtics back, and theyre all here today for Havlicek, said Pagliuca. Jones, Sam Jones and Satch Sanders. As most filed out of the church for a private downstairs reception, Cowens thought about the host of tributes he had just heard in the 90 minute service. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. He was born on April 8, 1940 in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. The Boston Celtics say Hall of Famer John Havlicek, whose steal of Hal Green's inbounds pass in the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference finals against the Philadelphia 76ers remains one of the most famous plays in NBA history, has died. Pagliuca said Ainge has switched his diet. Did OJ Simpson's Son Jason Kill Nicole Brown & Ron Goldman? Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He had 2 children, a son Chris Havlicek and a daughter Jill Havlicek. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. After a 16-year-long career, he retired from professional basketball in the 1977-78 NBA season. Bill Russell (right) also was in attendance to pay respects to his former teammate. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. The 1960 Ohio State Buckeyes, coached by head coach Fred Taylor and assistant coaches Jack Graf and Frank Truitt, won the 1960 NCAA title. The Celtics were loaded with Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jerry also commented on his death by saying:Playing in Boston, with so many great teams and so much success winning titles, the legend of John grew. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. His alma mater, the Ohio State University, also honored him by retiring his number 5. [3] Havlicek is widely considered to have been one of the greatest players in the history of the game and was inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. Please reset your password. Definition & Meaning On SportsLingo", "Popovich mourns death of his 'idol' John Havlicek", "The greatest sixth man from each NBA team", "Bill Reynolds: Havlicek defined role of 'sixth man', "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:: John Havlicek", "Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, April 15, 1968", "Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, April 19, 1968", "35 Years Ago: The Celtics and the Suns Play The Greatest NBA Finals Game Ever Played", "Celtics legend John Havlicek, a mainstay of '60s and '70s champions, dies at 79", "Boston Celtics Great And Hall Of Famer John Havlicek Dies At 79", "NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team | Basketball-Reference.com", "NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players", "Celtics Legend, Eight-Time NBA Champion John Havlicek Dies at 79", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", "John Havlicek, Hall of Famer and Celtics legend, dies at 79", "Q&A: Get to know assistant hitting coach Buchanan", "Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek dies at 79", "John Havlicek, Celtics great, dies at 79", Havlicek's Basketball Hall of Fame profile, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Havlicek&oldid=1134076095, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 22:24. He passed away after a battle with Parkinson's disease. [33] Fellow Hall of Famer Chris Mullin wore number 17 as a tribute to Havlicek. 1 wide receiver, Brian Walshe charged with murder of missing Cohasset woman Ana Walshe, Poll: What's your opinion of 'The Embrace' statue on the Boston Common? Positive Cases Among Kern Residents: 304,028. 3 min read. Fertig Funeral Home 63 N Main St, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062. John Havlicek, Boston Celtics Forward! I idolized John as a man and a basketball player. Joining him on this years second team were Sixers center Joel Embiid, Warriors forward Kevin Durant, Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. . Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. March 30, 2022 He remains the Boston Celtics all-time leader in points (26,395), games played (1,270), and minutes played (46,471). #RIPHondo , You grow up hearing about these giants of the game and expect them to be distant god-like figures who occasionally appear and dispense wisdom. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Bills funny. Old Celtics friends, teammates pay tribute to, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), The latest on missing Cohasset mom Ana Walshe, Old Celtics friends, teammates pay tribute to John Havlicek, Chris Ford, former Celtics player who made first 3-pointer in NBA history, dies at 74, Jayson Tatum scores 51 points as Celtics pull away from Hornets for seventh consecutive win, Celtics respond from ugly start to take care of lowly Hornets: Thats our maturation and our growth. Gar Heard scored for Phoenix to force the game's third overtime. Lived: 78 years. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home. He will be dearly missed by his Celtics family." John was drafted by the Celtics in 1962 as the 7th pick overall. The Russell teams won 11 times in 13 seasons, which was why Havlicek was so hung up on this one. was dubbed by the NBA as "the most famous radio call in basketball history. Basketball Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA champion John Havlicek, one of the greatest Boston Celtics players of all time, has died at age 79, the team announced. Groom Calls Fiance 'Immature' For Not Letting His Mother Choose Her Makeup And Wedding Dress, Teenage Son Refuses To Cuddle With His Mom So She Made A Knitted Version Of Him, Woman Promises To Pay For Adopted Sister's College Tuition But Refuses To Pay For Her Biological Brother, Who Is John Singleton? Although the cause of death was not immediately confirmed, it was revealed Havlicek died . The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Njegovi roditelji - otac mu je bio ehoslovakog, a majka hrvatskog porijekla [1] - bili su vlasnici trgovine u njegovom rodnom gradu. HALLOFAMENOVELTYS. Where hes going, Im not getting into, laughed Havliceks teammate and fellow Hall of Famer. Burial will be following the service in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors by the Lee C.. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. John Havlicek, the understated superstar who transformed an off-the-bench role into a Hall of Fame career and became the all-time leading scorer with the Boston Celtics, died on Thursday in. John Joseph Havlicek, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 25, 2019, at the age of 79 in Jupiter, FL, from complications of. Click hereto download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! You can always change this later in your Account settings. Please try again later. Predeceased by his furry companion Jack. John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics moves the ball up court during a game played in 1967 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. In his retirement, John was an avid outdoorsman. You are missed #RIP John @celtics @NBA pic.twitter.com/uHGQ1WSDTd. Try again later. Just a special human. ", I cannot come up with words to describe what we lost with the passing of John Havlicek. - MAY 23: Former Boston Celtic Bill Russell arrives at the funeral for Boston Celtic great John Havlicek at Trinity Church on May 23, 2019 in Boston, MA. He set Celtics career records for points and games. And as great a gentleman as ever was.#RIP #Hondo, Just saw that one of my childhood idols John Havlicek has passed. - MAY 23: Boston Celtic head coach Brad Stevens leaves at the funeral for Boston Celtic great John Havlicek at Trinity Church on May 23, 2019 in Boston, MA. But Chris Havlicek pushed all of these stories aside, and as his mother, Beth, and the rest of the family looked on from the first and second rows, he concluded, the greatest play he ever made was marrying my mom.. Failed to report flower. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. He suffered from Parkinsons disease and died at the age of 79. The iconic, 142-year-old church was filled with family members, old friends and older Celtics teammates, and Bobby Orr the Bruins legend whose own Hub era overlapped that of Havlicek. Born John Joseph Havlicek, he played basketball collegiately at the Ohio State University and played on the Buckeyes' 1960 NCAA championship team. He also was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the 1974 NBA Finals. I told him John, this would be a pretty great weekend if you just eliminated the fishing, Cousy said. Luck Is Often the Difference", "John Havlicek, a Dynamo in Two Eras of Celtics Glory, Dies at 79", "Celtics Legend John Havlicek Dies at Age of 79", "Basketball at the 1960 Roma Summer Games", "John Havlicek, Celtics legend who 'stole the ball!' 62 people named John Havlicek found in Illinois, Florida and 20 other states. I had such a nice time today sharing my memories of him with all seven of his wonderful grandkids. Bill Russell, helped down the aisle just prior to the start of the service, flew from his home in Seattle to attend. On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics small forward Billy Knight was traded to the Indiana Pacers for big man Rick Robey back in 1979 . j a this city. There was an error deleting this problem. He asked me if the statues still there, I said the statues still there, and he said the pigeons love it, Pagliuca said. Bob Cousy heard Joe Dillons adoring shout on the night of his retirement on March 17, 1963, and the words stuck in his head while delivering the third of seven eulogies in honor of John Havlicek Thursday. Havlicek, who is No. New Details On The Legendary Film Director's Death At 51. [37] Jill Havlicek married former Major League Baseball outfielder and coach Brian Buchanan. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald), BOSTON MA. To leave the family a condolence please visitwww.wilsonfuneralhomes.com. Despite the legendary steal, he still didn't get quite the hype he deserved because he was overshadowed by a pantheon of other legends. On April 25, 2019, in Jupiter, Florida, he took the last breath of his life. 11 Strict Rules That Elon Musk Makes His Girlfriends & Wives Follow, Justin Bieber Suspected As The Father Of Kourtney Kardashian's Son Reign (Instead Of Scott Disick), Why Kate Moss Was 'Scared' & 'Couldn't Get Out Of Bed For Weeks' After Working With Mark Wahlberg. New Details On Death Of Legendary Celtics Player At 79, A man who has left his mark on basketball history. He helped market such products as NBA footwear and Pony footwear as well as private brand labels such as John Havlicek and Bob Cousy. Lived In Hauppauge NY, Smithtown NY. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. He wound. Boston Celtics legends, owners, and staff gathered at the Trinity Church in Copley Square to say to the legendary John Havlicek He was what we hope our heroes can be. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Death date: 0 November, 1965, Monday. Tommy Heinsohn on John Havlicek: He's still the all-time leading scorer, isnt he, with the Celtics? Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. [30] In October 2021, Havlicek was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. He grew up in Veseli and served in the Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? One of the NBA's Greatest 50, the Boston Celtics all-time leading scorer, owner of six NBA Championship rings, a. Mr. Havlicek was a gentleman in every interaction, and he was one of the greatest Celtics ever. He shared the court with lifelong friend Bobby Knight and great teammate Jerry Lucas from 1958-62. JOhn was born in Veseli, MN on June 25, 1921 to John J. and Emily (Hruza) Havlicek. Lillian A. Havlicek, 91, of New Prague, died peacefully, on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Mala Strana. The Milwaukee Bucks started Game One of the NBA Playoffsagainst the Boston Celtics with a moment of silence before the game started. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. [21][22][23], When he retired after the 197778 NBA season, Havlicek finished his career as the Celtics all-time leading scorer, a distinction he still held at the time of his death in 2019. Drag images here or select from your computer for John Havlicek memorial. 2023 Wilson Funeral Homes. 29 on The Athletic 's NBA 75, just never saw himself that way. In the last phase of his life, Havlicek suffered from Parkinson's disease. [13][14][15], Havlicek has been immortalized for his clutch steal in the closing seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference championship. He was a true gentleman! The entireHavlicekFamily thanks you for your compassion during his valiant battle with Parkinsons Disease. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, coach Brad Stevens, co-owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, and Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn also were present. To honor the occasion, the league generally schedules the Atlanta . https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198629445/john-havlicek. John was kind and considerate, humble and gracious. Let's take a look at his story. 13x All Star, 8x Champion, Finals MVP, and Hall Famer, John was a champion on the court and in the community. Predeceased by his furry companion Jack. 13x All Star, 8x Champion, Finals MVP, and Hall Famer, John was a champion on the court and in the community. Nicknamed "Hondo," he revolutionized "the sixth man" role and was immortalized with the words "Havlicek stole the ball" from announcer Johnny Most during the 1965 NBA Eastern Conference finals. Try again later. J A Very somber day today saying a final goodbye to my very dear friend, John Havlicek. MICHAEL'S OBITUARY U.S. He loved both traveling the world, and relaxing at home with his wife Beth. His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to team over self. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. We are sad to announce that on March 30, 2022 we had to say goodbye to John W. Havlicek Sr. (Mullica Hill, New Jersey). Havlicek was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where his parents ran a general store. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Lillian married Joseph J. Havlicek on November 4, 1947 in Lonsdale. Now rest in peace. Would you like to offer John Havliceks loved ones a condolence message? He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and many dear friends. Failed to delete memorial. Even though hisjourney has ended he has left his mark in the basketball world, and the hearts of Celtics fans. t was a somber Thursday evening as Celtics legend John Havlicek passed away at the age of 79. John "Johnny" Havlicek (1927-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial LITTLE BOY PASSES AWAY The angel of death came into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Havlicek, who live two and one half miles north of town, Wednesday, June 27th and plucked from there a little flower to transplant to the heavenly gardens. Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was named to the All-NBA second team Thursday. Try again later. We would also like to thank the many dear friends and fans for the immeasurable support, respect, and love they continue to give to Number 17., Havlicek steals the ball! He shares the honor with National High School Hall of Fame member Frank Baxter, a longtime coach at Bridgeport High School. Please consider donating to The John J. Havlicek Education Scholarship that will be awarded to Bridgeport High School graduates to attend college. "Havlicek stole the ball! He is one of two players in NBA history to score over 26,000 points, over 8,000 rebounds, and over 6,000 assists. The success of his investments left Havlicek with a comfortable income after retirement and he never had to work for a conventional salary again. He also was a consensus second-team All-American in 1962 and third-team All-American in 1961. I just talked to Bill Russell on the way out.. Milwaukees Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houstons James Harden led the All-NBA first team along with Golden States Stephen Curry, Oklahoma Citys Paul George and Denvers Nikola Jokic. Even after the glory days of his Celtics career were over,John and Beth continued to work. They had homes in Massachusetts and Florida and John started a company, JohnHavlicekAll Sports Productsand owned Wendys franchises. I John Havlicek: An Appreciation On top of being an eight-time NBA champion and a Finals MVP, Havlicek made an especially large impact on both his peers and fans with his character. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? That is how our @celtics teams were. Its incredible that a team just stays together.. Some Notes/Recap for the Game: Typed this up at the end of the third quarter since Cleveland blitzed the Celtics. Havlicek retired as the Celtics' all-time leading scorer and a model for what being a Celtic really means. When Havlicek died, and his seven grandchildren read all of the accounts of his accomplishments, Chris said one common question emerged. On April 8, 1940, John was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio to Frank and Mandy (Turkal) Havlicek. John Havlicek Biography John Havlicek Wiki, Who is Jamie Horn? . Authentic Vintage 71-72! [28] In 1984, Havlicek became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. But as Greer's pass came inbounds, Havlicek spun, leaped, and tipped the pass to Sam Jones. One of the greatest small forwards ever. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease during his final years and died just 17 days after celebrated his 79th birthday. In his rookie year, under the leadership of Coach Red Auerbach, John earned NBA All-Rookie Team Honors. In 1980, John was named to the NBA's 35th Anniversary All-Time Team. This account has been disabled. Funeral Home website by. The court is named after Baxter. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. Stay up to date with everything Boston. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. They built a beautiful life together in the suburbs of Boston while raising two children, Christopher Evans Havlicek, and Jill Elizabeth Havlicek. He had no desire to coach; instead, he served as a corporate speaker. [39] He died on April 25, 2019, in Jupiter, Florida, seventeen days after his 79th birthday. Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join . . NOTE TO. Havlicek played 16 seasons in the NBA, was an 8-time NBA champion, a 13-time all-star, theCeltics all-time leading scorerand a 1984 Hall of Fame inductee. https://t.co/s2HQC590YY. I met John Havlicek at the same time & place that I met Red Auerbach & Bill Russell @ my high school gym in Autumn of 1961 - my freshman year. The team released an incredible video tribute on the day of his passing andhonored him before Game 3 of their series with the Bucks while Milwaukee fans held a moment of silence for Hondo before Game 1 of that series. Voted one of the 50. John Havlicek Death He died on April 25, 2019, in Jupiter, Florida, at the age of 79. John is survived by his wife Beth, son Christopher Evans Havlicek (Kimberly), and daughter Jill Havlicek Buchanan (Brian). Bob began work at The Stamford Advocate in 1964 as a sports reporter. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Beth made a statement about her husband's death:It is with deep sadness that I, along with our son Chris, daughter Jill, and seven grandchildren, announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, JohnHavlicek. In 1984, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. [19], The Celtics won the 1974 NBA Championship and Havlicek was named NBA Finals MVP. His daughter Jill Havlicek married Brian Buchanan, a former Major League Baseball outfielder and coach. Resend Activation Email. John W. Havlicek Sr. September 16, 1943 - March 30, 2022 (78 years old) Mullica Hill, New Jersey John W. Havlicek Sr. Obituary We are sad to announce that on March 30, 2022 we had to say goodbye to John W. Havlicek Sr. (Mullica Hill, New Jersey). based on information from your browser. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. After competing briefly as a wide receiver in the Browns' training camp that year, he focused his energies on playing for the Celtics, with head coach Red Auerbach later describing him as the "guts of the team. The Boston Celtics announced Thursday night that John Havlicek, one of the greatest players in the history of one of the sport's most decorated franchises, died at 79. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald), BOSTON MA. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. ChrisHavlicek followed in his father's footstepsand played college basketball at the University of Virginia. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. 1969 Basketball #20 John Havlicek Boston Celtics RC Rookie HOF reprint mint. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system . Oops, we were unable to send the email. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. We will remember him forever. He was selected by the Boston Celtics with the seventh pick in the 1962 NBA Draft and went on to be a mainstay of the Celtics' championship teams of the 1960s and 1970s. During his career, he was named a 13-time NBA All-Star, 4-time All-NBA First Team, 7-time All-NBA Second Team, 5-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, 3-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1963. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. 'American Idol' star CJ Harris dead at 31 of apparent heart attack, University leaders admit to misstep in Islamophobia controversy as adjunct professor files lawsuit, Winter storm warning issued for metro Denver, northeast plains ahead of significant storm, The Embrace Martin Luther King Jr. Boston memorial causes a stir, Duluth Boy Scout has slept outside for 1,000 days and counting, NYPD captain forced out after collecting about $60K for hours he never worked. Try again later. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. He was still playing when I entered the league & our friendship grew #17 will always be class act! He won two more championships under head coach and former teammate Tommy Heinsohn in 1974 and 1976. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Mark Murphy covered his first NBA season for the Boston Herald in 1989-90, Jimmy Rodgers' last as Celtics coach and a point when injuries were starting to overtake the careers of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of John Havlicek (198629445)? Havlicek was named to eight NBA all-defensive teams, and was known for his ability to harass ballhandlers and get steals. One of the earliest Wendy's restaurants was within a mile of the basketball star's Ohio home. He led youthful Bostons teams to win two championships in 1974 and 1976. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. Havlicek earned the first of his titles as a rookie during the 1962-63 season when he averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. 3 Trade for a new No. Weve updated the security on the site. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. There is no photo or video of John Havlicek.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Havlicek Is the ultimate team man, yet deep down he got extreme personal satisfaction when the Celtics won the seventh game, 102-87. Born John Joseph Havlicek, he played basketball collegiately at the Ohio State University and played on the Buckeyes' 1960 NCAA championship team. [4] Hal Greer was set to throw the inbounds pass for the 76ers. Net worth of John Havlicek:$100,000 - $1M. On April 8, 1940, John was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio to Frank and Mandy (Turkal) Havlicek. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Obviously very sad for all of us and especially the family, but a great celebration with some unbelievable speakers and some things were shared that remind you of whats important, Stevens said after the memorial service. One play immortalized him forever. In that series, the Celtics became the first NBA team to overcome a 31 playoff series deficit. On top ofbeing an eight-time NBA champion and a Finals MVP, Havlicek made an especially large impact on both his peers and fans with his character. CNN Basketball Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA champion John Havlicek, one of the greatest Boston Celtics players of all time, has died at age 79, the team announced. Make a life-giving gesture John Joseph Havlicek, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 25, 2019, at the age of 79 in Jupiter, FL, from complications of Parkinson's .