In Memory of Garnet Edward (Ace) Bailey

"ACE":

May god rest your soul. I'll never forget trying to wear a turtleneck under my jersey! I have this thing where I don't like anything squeezing it, so I had to switch over to being #16 instead of your forever #14. Don't get mad. I had to be "Derek" instead. It was a better fit for me. I was crazy like the TURK. You were a true gentleman. May god bless your family, and may god rest your soul. Ace, the U.S.M.C. is now on the job.

*** Posted by Frank Haugh on 2010-05-20 ***

As a big bruins fan in the 70s, I was crushed to find out that ACE was aboard that ill-fated flight. I will always remember his contributions to the team, to the community, and to the sport that he played so well. I met Ace and Gerry Cheevers at Rockingham park and got both of their autographs. I even had the opportunity to talk with ACE. Unfortunately, a house fire in 1980 destroyed those mementos. God bless the Baileys of Lynnfield.

Jim Hall (formerly from Westford, Mass.)

*** Posted by Jim Hall (Van Etten, N.Y.) on 2010-05-11 ***

Best guy ever.

*** Posted by Salter II on 2010-03-07 ***

I remember him with the Bruins, and I remember 9-11. It makes me sad, but at the same time happy to have known him as a Boston Bruin and a good human. THANKS, ACE!

*** Posted by steve on 2010-03-06 ***

Ace, you did not die in vain. The USMC is moving on the Taliban even now.

*** Posted by Hawk58 on 2010-02-14 ***

I will always have fond memories of Ace during the Bruins heyday. For whatever reason, I just happened upon this site, and it brought me back to his untimely demise. If there is any consolation, it is that he did not suffer.

*** Posted by a Boston Bruin fan on 2010-01-28 ***

R.I.P.

Ace

*** Posted by Bill on 2009-09-13 ***

As a teenage hockey fan growing up in St. Louis, I remember and appreciate the time 'ace' played for the blues. When we played street hockey the kid across the street would pretend to be ace bailey.

*** Posted by terry lunsford on 2009-09-12 ***

Ace was my grandmother's cousin. I remember meeting him once. Although I was very young when I met him, I remember his smile and love of life. R.I.P., Ace.

*** Posted by Rick Henderson on 2009-06-14 ***

I grew up in Somerville, minutes away from the garden, and my grandfather had a season ticket: Section J, Row C, Seat 8. I loved the Bruins, and when Garnet broke his leg and was in Mass General, I heard it was his birthday. So me and my two geeky friends bought a cake and a card and brought them to his room. The nurse asked us to wait outside, and then to our delight she said, "Come on in." We were starstruck and had a piece of cake with Garnet and got autographs. What a pleasure it was to meet him! When I heard he was on one of those planes, I was saddened, as I am now. God bless you and your family!

*** Posted by Bob Almeida on 2009-04-08 ***

As a lifelong Bruins fan, my heart is with Ace and his family. I hope everyone knows what he and his family have done for the great sport. He will be missed forever.

*** Posted by daniel downing on 2009-01-23 ***

I met Ace Bailey at a Bruins Alumni Event, and we briefly discussed how much fun the Bruins were in the early 70's. He signed his autograph: "To Diane, Your friend, Garnet Ace Bailey." And from that short meeting alone, I did feel like his friend. I think of him synonymously with 9/11. The horror of the day seemed to hit home when I saw his name as one of the victims. Peace to his family and to everyone.

*** Posted by Diane Sheridan on 2009-01-22 ***

I remember when Ace was traded to the Blues. He had the flu and was extremely ill the night of his first game in St. Louis. He skated every shift and displayed so much heart and love of the game, I was so impressed. I had seats right at the bench, so I met him and was always impressed by his style and desire. What a wonderful young man. God bless him.

*** Posted by Robert Knop on 2008-12-01 ***

I met Ace at a post-hockey draft day when my nephew, Jason Crain, was picked by the L.A. Kings. What a wonderful person he was. I'm glad I was touched by his great smile and personality.

*** Posted by Tony Chybrzynski on 2008-04-22 ***

Thanks for all the great times out fishing!

*** Posted by Salter on 2007-10-23 ***

I met Garnet Ace Bailey in the early 1970s. I was a vendor at the Pacific Coliseum and a huge hockey fan. I also enjoyed taking photos of the great hockey stars of the time. I would always get to work an hour early so I could see the hockey players arrive at their dressing rooms.

Garnet "Ace" Bailey was gracious to stop to allow me to take his photo. That is a huge deal to a 16 year old who lived for hockey. He wore the funkiest suit of the time period. Not all hockey players were so gracious so it was a wonderful chance meeting.

It is sad that such a caring person would leave our presence in such a way.

Terry Condio
Vancouver, Canada
thanks@telus.net

*** Posted by Terry Condio - Vancouver, Canada on 2007-09-11 ***

In 1980, a chance meeting with Ace in Lloydminster, AB resulted in an invitation to a young sportscaster to visit the Edmonton Oilers training camp, and an interview with Wayne Gretzky. I will always remember his kindness.

*** Posted by Ron Thornton on 2007-09-10 ***

As a lifelong Bruins fan, I want to let Ace's family know how much his time in Boston meant to me and my grandfather, a lifelong Bruins fan. I hope you know that Ace will always be remembered by sports fans in Boston.

*** Posted by Joe on 2006-09-11 ***

I met Ace a few times when I interned for the LA Kings' AHL team in Lowell, MA in 1999-2000. He had a way of making everyone he met feel special, and every time I saw him he put a huge smile on my face. There are very few people that can touch the lives of others the way he did, and although I didn't know him very well I felt like I lost a friend on Sept. 11th. I'll always remember him.

*** Posted by Connie Spittler on 2006-09-08 ***

We went to a BC/Bruins charity benifit hockey game at BC when my son was about 6 years old. The event was a thrill for us to see some alum and the famous Bruins play together. At the half-time, we were the last to wait in a long line so that my Son could have a picture taken with Mr. Ace Bailey and Mr. Terry O'Reilly. As it turned out, we didn't have any money to pay for the picture, so they gave it to us and signed it with great smiles. We proudly keep the framed photo in our living room to remind us of the definition of heroism. We will fondly remember Mr. Bailey's kindness of that day and will keep him forever in our prayers.

*** Posted by Carol McFadden and Son, Alexander Zdanovich on 2006-08-16 ***

What a tragedy.. but through this terrible loss, life has come about in the playroom at Boston's Floating Hospital for children where Ace's place will always be filled with laughter,, Thanks for the memories

*** Posted by patti on 2006-06-09 ***

I remember watching Ace as a young St. Louis Blues fan. He often wore this "semi-turtleneck" under his jersey if my memory is correct.

I never met him personally but his tragic end still made 9/11 hit closer to my world.

May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

*** Posted by steve on 2006-02-02 ***

I just found this page and wanted to tell you that as a Lynnfield resident I ALWAYS think of Mr. Bailey everytime I drive by the street he lived on. My heart just sinks.

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2005-09-20 ***