Break out the black arm-bands. Tomorrow nights game will be played in honor of Paul Gilmartin Sr. I only had the pleasure of meeting him once or twice, but it was clear he was one of the most well respected and liked people in Andover. And it’s also obvious that he contributed more to the sport of hockey than most of us could ever dream of.
So tomorrow, when we’re done skating in one of the houses of hockey that he built, we’ll raise our beers, give him a Honey Badger Toast, and ask him to save us a spot upstairs.
Our condolences go out to all the Gilmartins.
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Here’s a pic from the above mentioned toast to Paul Sr.
Thursday Feb 27th, 11pm – Locker Room #1 – Lawrence Valley Forum
From the Boston Globe: Gilmartin, Paul T., Sr. 71, a long time resident of Andover, MA and Naples, FL, passed away Tuesday, February 25th, 2014. Mr. Gilmartin was born in Malden, Massachusetts on January 7th, 1943, son of the late Thomas Gilmartin and Mary Elwood Gilmartin. Paul grew up in Stoneham, MA, attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1961 where he played both football & hockey. He was a member of the 1960 State Championship Hockey Team and captained the team in 1961. Paul continued his education at Merrimack College where he was a member of the varsity hockey team & graduated class of 1964. In 1986 Paul was the recipient of the prestigious J. Thomas Lawler award. Mr. Gilmartin began his business career with Huyck Corporation of Rensselaer, NY, and went on to Fife Corporation as a New England sales manager for 20 years. Paul was the founder and principal of Valley Associates in 1984 and GLS Partners in 1997, due to his passion for the game of hockey and in order to advance the opportunities for youth hockey players throughout New England. He enjoyed watching the players develop and go on to achieve success in their hockey careers. Paul was a well known member of the hockey community and will be remembered & missed by his many friends, players, coaches and referees. Tall and handsome he had a quiet presence always in his ubiquitous navy sweater, his blue eyes sparkling. Paul was a longstanding member of the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA, and the Vineyards Country Club in Naples, FL, where he enjoyed playing golf, especially the “Naples Cup”, a tradition he started and looked forward to each year. Paul was devoted to and entranced by his life’s partner Mary. He was always beaming as he let Mary, the more outgoing, perform her magic. At Valley Associates, son John partnered with his Dad. Later, Paul was thrilled to have Paul Jr. return from his successful career in finance to join them, forming a family business that was perfect for all. Mary & Paul enjoyed their many trips to Ct. & Nantucket for visits with Paul’s pride & joy, Marybeth. He also took great pleasure in watching his son John compete on the golf course. A true family man, Paul loved doting and spending time with his 5 grandchildren. Paul is survived by his wife of 48 years Mary Burns Gilmartin, his children, Marybeth Gilmartin Baugher, of Greenwich, CT and Nantucket, MA; Paul T. Gilmartin, Jr. and his wife Tanya, of South Hamilton, MA; John J. Gilmartin and his wife Holly, of Andover, MA; his grandchildren, William Matthew Baugher, Paul and Max Gilmartin and Emma and Lizzie Gilmartin. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas Gilmartin and his wife Muriel Gilmartin, of Greenfield, Ma; his sister, Joan Gilmartin Allen and her husband, Thomas of Marblehead, MA and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 1st at 12:00 Noon in St. Augustine’s Church, Andover. Interment will follow in the West Parish Cemetery, Andover. Calling Hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 in the Conte Funeral Home, 28 Florence Street, ANDOVER. For those who wish, Paul may be remembered through donations to the Paul T. Gilmartin Memorial Fund To Benefit Deserving Youth Hockey Players, 7 Parkridge Road, Haverhill, MA. 01835. For funeral home directions or to sign the family guest book, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com Conte Funeral Homes www.contefuneralhomes.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=paul-t-gilmartin&pid=169877574&fhid=7584#sthash.uVhTTF3v.dpuf