Dave Rossman For the Chronicle
When astronaut Mark Kelly's wife, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle
Giffords, was gravely wounded six months ago, he
knew he could count on longtime friend Tilman Fertitta, right.
Posted on 07/27/2011 1:39:38 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
For six months, he has been a giant in the background for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, quietly leveraging his power to help the couple rebound from devastation.
His private jets, his home in River Oaks, his ranch, his media connections and even his restaurant empire have played roles in simultaneously supporting Giffords and protecting her from public view as she has pushed through her recovery, sources close to Giffords said.
...Houston restaurant tycoon Tilman Fertitta, a close friend of Giffords' husband, League City astronaut Mark Kelly, doesn't think much of his role, even as it highlights a compassionate side of his personality often lost amid headlines about his hardball business tactics.
"That's just what you do," 54-year-old Fertitta said of his efforts to help Kelly and Giffords.
Besides, said the man who held a party on his yacht in Florida to celebrate Kelly's role in commanding the final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, Kelly is as close as a friend can get.
Fertitta's reaction to the shooting that almost took Giffords' life was automatic, a natural response for a man who has a small circle to whom he shows unyielding loyalty.
"That's what happens when things like this happen in families," he said.
Doctors have said that Giffords' rehabilitation from a gunshot wound to the head has been helped by opportunities to leave the hospital, something she did frequently as a result of Fertitta's help, even before she checked out of TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston on June 15.
"Tilman has been a great friend to Gabby and me," Kelly told the Houston Chronicle. "He and (his wife) Paige have done everything they could possibly do to support us through this very difficult time. Without their assistance this would have been a much more difficult experience."
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Dave Rossman For the Chronicle
When astronaut Mark Kelly's wife, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle
Giffords, was gravely wounded six months ago, he
knew he could count on longtime friend Tilman Fertitta, right.
It’s what friends are for, and you find out fast who
they are too.
Hi. He certainly gave them needed help. I thought government must have been carrying the ball — I guess not so much.
I posted the story because I didn’t know how much coverage it would get and people might be interested in the behind the scenes story of how she was moved around and kept from reporters.
This guy must be making lots of money off of restaurants to have a yacht.
LOTS!
He'd better have one *Great* chopper pilot judging by how small the helipad is!
He also owns private evil jets.....how un american is that...I hope he is paying his fair share
LOL
Yacht!
I would say there is some mob there. His brother owns casinos and he is Rolls Royce Bentley dealer in Houston. I didn’t think he could get that rich off of restaurants alone.
LOL — Like the Corleone family did selling olive oil!? — LOL
“...some mob there....”
Why would you say that?
He is founder, CEO, majority owner of the largest private restaurant chain in the US with over $4 billion in sales.
Landrys, Inc makes a lot of money and he is the boss...
If it’s not a Trinity Yacht, it’s just a boat.
http://www.trinityyachts.com/default.asp
VERY nice.
That radar mast looks to be a pretty close-in obstruction...
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