The hockey community has once again come together under the most tragic circumstances, this time to mourn the passing of 17-year-old player and Natick High School senior Justin Bailey. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on Jan. 4 but thanks to his winning personality, strong work ethic and popularity among teammates, classmates, family and friends his spirit will live on.

Karl Infanger, Baliey’s Natick High hockey coach (and a member of the NEH coaching staff) said that the many tributes, and the emotional moment of silence observed in Bailey’s memory during Natick’s first game following his death, are just a few of the ways the team and the community have honored Bailey.

Other tributes include the helmet stickers players on the Natick High boys and girls hockey teams are wearing -- stickers that depict a hockey puck with the number 17 and Bailey’s name. Even competitors are showing their support. Players on opposing teams in Natick’s conference are sporting a white sticker on their helmets featuring Bailey’s number.

Though the outpouring of support has been heartening, Infanger said he and others wanted to take things even further by fundraising to help the family deal with unforeseen expenses stemming from Bailey’s death.

“We set up a memorial fund in Justin’s name that will directly support the Bailey's,” he said. “We can't take away their pain, but thought we could offer this small gesture in an effort to help them in a way that we can.”

If you would like to contribute, mail your donation directly to the Middlesex Savings Bank, 150 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 01778. Donations should be made payable to the Justin Bailey Memorial Fund.

You can learn more about Justin at www.NatickHighHockey.com (click on Bailey).

It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce that Tom Gerlach, father of Cranston Reds U16 player Nick Gerlach, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning while at work. Tom has been a member of the NEH/RB Hockey family for over 4 years as a parent volunteer and coach. The Reds/NEH/RB Hockey Organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear family member.

Please remember to keep Nick and the entire Gerlach family in your prayers!

GERLACH, THOMAS F., 46, of Greenlake Drive, a heavy equipment operator for Boyle and Fogarty Construction for 29 years, died Friday, October 1, 2010. He was the husband of Kathleen L. (Farrell) Gerlach. They had been married for 19 years.

Born in Providence, he was a son of James E. and Ann (Winfield) Gerlach of Narragansett. He had been a lifelong resident of Smithfield. A 1982 graduate of Smithfield High School and a graduate of CCRI. He was a coach for Smithfield Vikings Football and also for many youth hockey teams.

Besides his wife and parents he is survived by his sons: Thomas F. "TJ" Gerlach, Jr. and Nicholas J. Gerlach, both of Smithfield, his sister: Kathryn Manning Butler and her husband Jeffrey of Wakefield, his brothers John Gerlach of San Francisco, CA, Kyle Gerlach and his wife Lynn of Smithfield, Eward Gerlach and his wife Erin of Pembroke, MA, Robert Gerlach of Scituate, his mother-in-law, Janet Farrell, in-laws, Kelly and Arthur Barrette, William and Rhonda Farrell all of Greenville and Robert and Laurie Farrell of Johnston, many nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was the brother of the late James and Joseph Gerlach and Michael Manning.

NEH goalie Anthony Visconti, who tends net for the Bantam Sharks, lost his mom Janet to cancer on Tuesday, Dec. 6. following a 12-year battle with the disease.

“I have known the Visconti family since Anthony was a Mite and I was lucky enough to be his coach,” said Sharks Coach Brian Hall. “His mom Janet was one of the nicest, most considerate and strongest woman I have ever met. Although her repeated bouts of illness prevented her from attending most of Anthony’s games, she was still his most ardent fan -- and when she did manage to attend, one of the loudest and most encouraging.”

“The NEH family is a close one and this loss will be felt throughout the organization,” Hall said. “We ask that you please keep Anthony, his father Dennis and sister Jessica in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

The NEH family has lost one of its own: popular coach Jim Connors, who passed away on March 30, 2009. Connors coached for the NEH during the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons.

A former player for Boston University, Connors was well regarded by both parents and athletes for his knowledge and dedication to the sport. “Jim was a top player and a terrific coach who helped instill a love of hockey in hundreds of aspiring players,” said NEH Owner Rob Barletta. “He will be sorely missed.”

Connors is survived by his wife Dolores (Tunney) Connors and children James H. Connors, III and Alexandra J. Connors, as well as a large extended family. Donations may be made in Connors’ memory to the James H. Connors, Jr. Memorial Fund at Benjamin Franklin Savings Bank, 76 North Street, Medfield, MA 02052.

Memorial services for Nikos Lykourinos were held July 13th 2008 at St. Gregory's Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield, MA.

It is with a heavy heart that I deliver this very unfortunate news. NEH player Nikos Lykourinos, 12 years old, was struck and killed in an automobile accident this past Tuesday. Nikos recently moved to Greece with his family and was due to come back and visit this summer.

Nikos is the type of child that defines NEH in its enitirety. Beginning as a practice player, working his way to an alternate position, and then finally being rewarded with a full time position prior to moving to Greece. Nikos worked incredibly hard at practices and skills in order to continue his development and reach his goals. I can remember the smile on his face when Nikos got the news that he had reached his goal as a full time NEH player, oddly enough it was the same look as when he heard he was a practice player and alternate, grateful for the oppurtunity. Nikos felt fortunate to be a part of it all and accepted each role with enthusiasm and gratitude, he was well beyond his years.

I have spoken with his past coaches this week and we each have our own stories about Nikos, but we also had one similar story. After every practice, skills session or game, Nikos would always find his coach, have a big smile on his face, and thank them for the oppurtunity given to him that day. We actually thanked him for giving us the oppurtunity to coach him.

Nikos Lykourinos reminds us all to live our lives as if everything we receive and all that is offered to us is a blessing, no matter how big or small it may seem. Do not be misled, Nikos was a competitor which is proven by his rise through the NEH ranks, but Nikos also made sure he stopped and took a moment to enjoy what he had around him. For those of us that were fortunate enough to meet his Mom and Dad and call them friends, you can see where Nikos got these wonderful qualities.

On a personal note, I will never forget the way Nikos would skate around the ice at skills staring and waiting for me to turn my back in order for him to give me a whack on my skates with his stick. I would see him coming every time, and he knew I saw him coming, that never stopped him from making the attempt.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his father Vasileios, mom Jeannie and little brother Pary. Your son and brother Nikos will always be remembered in our hearts and minds as the most positive, hard working and appreciative players we have ever had at NEH. Nikos and your family will always be a part of our family and he will be missed. To Nikos's younger brother Pary, I am sure your parents will tell you stories describing the enormous amount of pride Nikos took when showing you off around the rink to his coaches and teammates.

To Nikos, all of us at NEH, your coaches, teammates, Rob and Chrissy Barletta appreciate every moment we had with you and our deepest thanks to you for sending us one of those life's little reminders.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

All of us recognize and appreciate the oppurtunity we were given when Nikos Lykourinos was brought into our lives.