GARY PAJCIC AT SPRING 2006 GAME.

Florida State University fans will likely remember Gary Pajcic for his accomplishments on the football field four decades ago. As FSU's starting quarterback in 1966, Mr. Pajcic threw what became one of the most legendary passes in Seminole history, an apparent touchdown to receiver Lane Fenner with 28 seconds remaining that would have put Florida State ahead of the Gators and probably won the game. But a ref ruled the pass incomplete.

But Mr. Pajcic, who died at age 58 of a rare virus on Wednesday, accomplished far more than that moment in time suggests. He went on to an extremely successful career as a trial attorney in Jacksonville. More importantly, he gave generously to charitable causes.

He and his brother Steve, a former state lawmaker and onetime candidate for governor, donated $1 million to the high school they attended. Gary Pajcic also contributed $100,000 to former Seminole star Warrick Dunn's "Homes for Holidays" charity, and his contribution to FSU's athletic department helped improve sports facilities at the university.

Friend and former FSU teammate Ron Sellers described him as "a great friend" of FSU and "a true champion in every sense," especially citing his philanthropy. Longtime fans will remember his football prowess, but Mr. Pajcic's more long-lasting contributions will be felt by students, athletes and others who benefit from his generosity.

A delegation from Florida State University will attend Pajcic's funeral Saturday in Jacksonville.

Former FSU quarterback dies at 58
From the Tallahassee Democrat, August 3, 2006

By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Teammates will remember Gary Pajcic for his big plays and even bigger heart.

The former Florida State starting quarterback died Wednesday after being hospitalized over the weekend and later falling into a coma. His Jacksonville law firm confirmed that a memorial service will be held on Saturday.

"FSU has lost a great friend and I've lost a wonderful friend," said former FSU all-America receiver Ron Sellers, a teammate of Pajcic's at Paxon High as well as in college. "The Jacksonville community lost a true champion in every sense - his generosity and giving back to the community. I cannot think of anybody who did not care or like Gary Pajcic if they met him.

"Gary and I go back over 50 years since we started together in the first grade. We've been very, very close this whole time."

Pajcic led FSU in passing in 1966 as a sophomore and earned Associated Press All-America honorable mention honors that season. The Jacksonville attorney was also noted for his philanthropy. He made a significant contribution to the FSU athletic department's capital campaign that upgraded facilities for all sports, and he was a member of the Seminole Boosters Inc. national board of directors.

During halftime of the FSU spring game, he handed former Seminole Warrick Dunn a check for $100,000 to be used for the "Homes for Holidays" program Dunn established. Pajcic and his brother Steve also contributed $1 million to Paxon.

"Gary was a humble, good, unselfish and caring person," FSU athletic director Dave Hart said. "He was a generous man, and he loved his Florida State Seminoles. Gary was a magnet for respect. It's a very sad day for anybody who is a Florida State Seminole and has ever been exposed to Gary Pajcic."

Pajcic, who lettered at FSU from 1966?68, connected with Sellers for two of the longest passes in FSU history. An 86-yard toss to Sellers against Wake Forest in 1966 ranks tied for eighth on the all-time list. He also threw an 82-yard pass to Sellers against Maryland in 1968.

Pajcic was also part of one of the most famous and controversial plays in the 59 years of FSU football. With 28 seconds remaining in FSU's 1966 game against Florida, and the Gators ahead 22-19, Pajcic rolled to his right to find Lane Fenner about 55 yards down field and in the end zone. Larry Rentz tackled Fenner who made an over-the-shoulder catch and went rolling out of bounds. The field judge ruled no catch.

One of Pajcic's teammates was T.K. Wetherell, the current FSU president.

Pajcic was taken off of life support on Wednesday. He played golf with his oldest son on Friday, according to Sellers, who added that Pajcic came down with chills later that night. Pajcic had a fever on Saturday and then was hospitalized.

"It's a very rare situation he had - this virus," Sellers said. "It's a strand, a type of encephalitis. They are going to try to find out exactly what it was. It attacked a very healthy man and took him in about three or four days.

"It's unbelievable to think he's gone."

Pajcic was 58.

Ralph Chaudron, a member of FSU's first football team in 1947 and a member of the school's athletic hall of fame, died last week at 78. Chaudron was inducted into the hall in 1986. Deion Sanders broke his school record for the longest interception the year before.

Chaudron, who graduated in 1949 from FSU, returned to Pensacola where he was a high-school coach for many years.

Contact reporter Steve Ellis at (850) 599-2316 or sellis@tallahassee.com.

Pajcic: 'Just a prince of a man'