Rangers Great, Rod Gilbert, Dies at 80

Rod Gilbert, the NewYork Rangers all-time leading scorer known as Mr. Ranger, died Sunday at the age of 80.

Born and raised Catholic in the Canadian province of Quebec, Gilbert was honored in 2013 with the John V. Mara Sportsmanship Award at the 77th annual CYO Club of Champions Dinner in 2013. In 2018, he attended the CYO dinner where former Rangers goalie Mike Richter received the Mara Sportsmanship Award. Also in 2018, Gilbert was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Rusty Staub’s Memorial Mass that also was attended by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, former Mets owner Jeff Wilpon and Mets television analyst and former pitcher Ron Darling, former Mets manager and player Bobby Valentine, and former Mets John Franco and Lee Mazzilli.

“Growing up in a Catholic household, saying the Rosary once a week with my mom and going to Mass was part of my childhood and something that just to this day has remained with me,” Gilbert said at the 2013 dinner.

“When I came to New York, I came with my friend Frank Gifford (a former New York Giants star, a National Football League Hall of Famer and the 1963 recipient of the CYO Club of Champions John V. Mara award) to a CYO event and ever since then I’ve remained close to the organization,” Gilbert added. “The CYO represents a lot of good and I’m proud to be here tonight.”

Gilbert played all 18 of his NHL seasons with the Rangers, finishing with team records of 406 goals and 1021 points. His 615 assists are second to Brian Leetch’s 741.

Gilbert’s No. 7 was the first number retired by the Rangers. The eight-time NHL All-Star was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.

“Everyone in the Rangers organization mourns the loss of a true New York icon,” said Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury in a release from the team. “Rod’s remarkable talent and zest for life personified this city and endeared him to hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike. Growing up a young Rangers fan, one of the first names I ever heard about was Rod Gilbert – he was synonymous with Rangers hockey. It was an incredible privilege to get to know Rod. His passion and dedication to the Rangers will forever be a source of inspiration for me.”

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Chantal, Justin, Holly, and Brooke; his grandchildren, Arielle, Owen, Kaya, Jordyn, Lila, Logan, and Damon; and his siblings, Jean Marie and André.

Cyclists Can “Ride with the Camels” on Orange County’s Country Roads

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan and the Orange County Bicycle Club are presenting “The Orange County Country Roads 2017 Bike Tour, “The Ride with the Camels,” on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Rides of 10, 25, 45 and 65 miles will be available for cyclists to tour the roads of Orange County.

Visit http://www.ocbicycleclub.org for more information.

 

Golf Outing Raises Over $50,000

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan raised over $50,000 at its 11th annual golf outing held at West Hills Country Club in Middletown.

The money will support the emergency food and shelter assistance programs in the two counties.

The winning men’s foursome featured Harry Kolbe, Joe Michulski, Bob Sherman and Mike Granger. Mary Bonura, Denise Freeman, Carol Smith and Jeanie Tomita was the winning women’s foursome. James O’Donnell was the closest to the pin winner, and Scott Batulis and Janie Tomita claimed prizes for the longest drive contest.

All winners received gift certificates to the West Hills Pro Shop.

 

And the Winners Are …

Mary Bonura, Denise Freeman, Carol Smith and Jeanie Tomita took first place as the top women’s foursome at Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan’s 11th annual golf outing.