The 2015 Gary Tripp Memorial Golf Tournament committee is very thankful at this special time of the year. We are thankful for the many family members who make it possible to carry on a tradition of keeping Gary’s memory alive.

He is dearly missed by his family and friends.

The seventh annual GTMGT was held this past Sept. 12 at its new venue, including both the Hillview and Vineyards Golf Clubs in Fredonia. Family committee members who donated countless hours of their time, food, prizes and baskets are: Pat Tripp, Fred Tripp, Terri Tripp Helwig, Katie Lemiszko, Cheryl Trippy and Eric Flitt.

It also takes 112 golfers to make the tournament successful. This year’s team captains included Ryan Hall, Mark Nero, Ashley Mowrey, Mike Curtin, Eric Flitt, Ben Ross, Sam Tofil, Chris Tofil, Adam Gornikiewicz, Barb VanDette, Matt Murphy, Mike Willougby, Joe DiMartino, Kevin Kaszuba, Steve Helwig, Bobby Kozlowski, Jim Stelmack Sr., Cheryl Trippy, Dan Ryel, Jim Pasierb, Dennis Leonard, Jim Rozen, Chris Ganey, Katie Lemiszko, Mike Normand, Pat Mackowiak, Nate Mackowiak, Nate Dolce and Mike Porpiglia.

We are thankful for Gary’s many friends, family members, extended family, friends, friends of friends – both far and near, young and old, veteran and newbies – who got their clubs out and got their long and short games ready to go. Each golfer was presented with a complimentary gift package of golf balls and tees. They also received a GTMGT embroidered umbrella that was surely needed by one and all! Congratulations go out to the winning 2015 GTMGT first-place tied winning teams led by Kevin Kaszuba and Patrick Mackowiak.

The GTMGT cannot happen without the many volunteers who ran errands, provided assistance at registration and at special holes, prepared food for the dinner, served food, washed dishes and cleaned up the hall.

We are so thankful for Michelle and Kim Kuras, Katie Lemiszko, Liz Abramowicz, Brenda Pazderski, Chris Ley, George Civiletto, Jane Russo, Terri Kye, Floyd Puffer, Dolores Maurer, Betsy Delcamp, Josh Crane, Alyson Kozlowski, Lauren Buckholtz, Mike Nelson, Cheryl McCoy, Kathy Tripp, Ashley Leonard, Courtney Tripp, Jessica Werner, Stacy Korzenieski, Makayla and Dru Pasierb, Sue Nickle, Kim Steklasa, Scott, Steve and Addison Helwig, Reese Trippy, Eric, Nancy and Frank Flitt and John Romanik Jr.

The GTMGT is ever so thankful for the Kosciuszko Club in Dunkirk for their very generous major sponsor donation as well as Frosty Treat in Irving. May they be especially blessed this time of the year.

The GTMGT would also like to thank the many hole and half-hole sponsors whether they be veteran sponsors or new. They include: The Columbus Club, Donald O. Tripp “Unk,” The Dom Polski Club, Robert Torrance NFC West ATM’s, Fredonia Beaver Club, Lake Shore Savings & Loan, Maplevale Farms, Moniuszko Club, Pat Tripp, Gramma Virgie, P&G Foods, Fred Tripp, Rudi Adamczak and family, Rookie’s Sports Bar, Kirk’s Jewelers, Rob Curry and family, Dunkirk Loyal Order of Moose 89, Angela DiCara, Fredonia Heating, Northern Chautauqua Dental and Piede Bros. Tents.

Also donating were Brett and Amber Lancaster of AML Management, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Frank, Fourth Ward Falcons, Dot Russo, the Kuras and Kozlowski families, Matt’s News, the Helwig family, the Lancaster family, Ellman’s Garage, Jim and Dru Pasierb, Hometown Insurance, Dan Ryel and Joe Gugino, the Jason Cieslewicz family, J.S. Guide Service, J.W. Quality Consulting, and Buster and Bluto.

Thank you to the Dunkirk OBSERVER for its continued support of the tournament through “For the Record” and the GTMGT articles. Other monetary donations were received from Dean Messina and Community Bank.

Special baskets were created for hole prizes and donated by Linda Curtin, Cheryl Trippy (2), Pat Tripp (2), Nancy Flitt, Jane Russo, Cheryl Graf, Cheryl McCoy, Shannon and Scott Helwig, Michelle Kuras, Dru Pasierb, Abbey Graves, Kim Steklasa, Stacy Korzenieski, Terri Helwig, Brenda Pazderski and Dolores Maurer. Group donations include Lisa Kabel, Don Williams Jr., Tammy and John Romanik, Julie and Dean DuBois and the Randy Goss Tournament. Thank you one and all.

Food donations are ever so appreciated and the GTMGT is thankful to Brigiotta’s Produce, Ginger Pokoj of Big Rick’s One Stop, Tom Panasci of Pizza Village, Pat’s Catering, Mike Porpiglia of Casa DeMangia, Fred and Katie Vineyards, Curtze Foods and East Main Liquors. Each donation made the GTMGT so special.

The GTMGT is pleased to continue its scholarship program, including the annual Gary Tripp Memorial scholarship at Dunkirk High School awarded this year to Jared Metz and its donation to the SUNY Fredonia Business Scholarship created by Fred Tripp.

An annual donation is also a part of the GTMGT Mission Statement with the establishment of the Gary Tripp Colorectal Research Fund at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.

The GTMGT is ever thankful for its family, friends, donors, volunteers and the community of caring people near and far who contribute to make Gary’s love of life a reality. May you all find peace and love at this very special time of year.