Post #717530 by puntagorda54 on Mon, May 19, 2014 7:57 PM

Otto....I knew Gordon Corson Sr, the co owner of the Bali Hai, since the early 60's, when my family joined the Montclair Swim Club, that Gordy also owned.....Gordon Melvin Corson Jr was his son, that was the artist you found a link to...Gordy Sr, was known by the nickname Big Gordy, while his son was known as Little Gordy...Ironically I might add, as Big Gordy stood about 5'7", and his son was probably 6'1"......Big Gordy and his wife Nancy, used to winter over in Honolulu every year for as long as I can remember....He was a longtime member of the Outrigger club...Used to surf with Duke Kamahamaha....Had photos of them together on the wall....Could be where he got the idea to open a Polynesian themed restaurant....He also was a nationally ranked backtracked when he was younger, and was good friends with Jonny Weismiller.....I can't remember when the restaurant closed, but my parents used to go there once in awhile, since my father worked at the Kaiser Center nearby...A fascinating guy to work for and know....He passed away back in the late 80's, and his son in the early 2000's