THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 7, 2023 Page 11 Alan Biscan, one of the several speakers, brings smiles to the faces of those in attendance. Kay Heerter and Mayor Gary Christenson view the unveiled Tom Heerter Sr. memorial stone. Bob Rotondi, who has coached for over 60 years in Malden Babe Ruth, recalls Tom Heerter Sr. memories to the crowd. for over 60 years now, nearly 30 of them with Tom Heerter. He wrote the inscription on the stone, which reads: “Thomas E. Heerter, 9-13-1943 to 6-29-2015, Malden’s Man For All Seasons, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tom coached the youth of the city of Malden for over 35 seasons. He never marked his victories by his championships. Tom measured his success by seeing the accomplishments achieved by his athletes.” Rotondi spoke briefly and presented a special plaque to the Heerter Family, and it was received by Tom’s wife, Kay. Former Malden City Councillor Marty Gately, a longtime family friend of the Heerter family, also extolled his late friend’s virtues. Finally, Pine Banks Supt. Benner spoke and said he was grateful and pleasantly surprised at the late turnout at the gathering. Former Orioles players Phil Higgins and Chris Pagliccia pulled off the tarp and unveiled the stone as part of the ceremony, then everyone was allowed to take photos of the new memorial. An informal cookout was held right on the Pine Banks grounds afterward, where friends and family could reminisce and mingle. “It was a great day and really nice way to honor Tom and contributions he made through his 35 years of coaching and mentoring all those Malden players and others. “We miss him every day, and now we never have to say goodbye since he lives on with this very fitting memorial,” Benner added. A bagpiper was on hand to help honor Tom Heerter Sr. Kenny Mazonson, of Malden Little League and Malden Neighborhood Basketball, former Babe Ruth League Stars Manager Joe Caraco and Pine Banks Supt. Kevin Benner Pine Banks Board Chairman Hank Kezer and Par k Superintendent Kevin Benner Mayor Christenson: What better person to honor than Tom Heerter? The Memorial Stone for Tom Heerter Sr. that is now at Pine Banks Park. Alan Biscan, who coached the New England Champion and National Runner-up Malden Pop Warner Football Team with Tom Heerter Sr., recalls the honoree. At the grill: Dave Allan, PJ Bell and Pine Banks Supt. Kevin Benner. Mayor Gary Christenson and Pine Banks Board of Trustees Chairman Hank Kezer. Everyone together – over 50 attendees – at Pine Banks Park gathering to remember Tom Heerter Sr.. (All Photos Courtesy of Pine Banks Park and by Paul Hammersley)
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