James P. Gilmartin

James P. Gilmartin, 65, of Manchester, died December 23, 2005, at Catholic Medical Center, after a three-year struggle with bone cancer.

He was born in Manchester, May 24, 1940, and was the son of Dorothy (Stewart) Gilmartin and the late Leo P. Gilmartin. He was a lifelong resident of this city.

Mr. Gilmartin served in the US Coast Guard Reserve.

He retired in June 2003 from the Manchester Union Leader where he worked for 40 years. He also started Metro Sports silk screening business 20 years ago.

He was very involved with youth soccer, coached baseball and basketball, and was a Boston marathon runner.

He loved to travel, read, listen to music, work in his yard, play piano, and attend concerts and art museums. He especially enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren.

Family members include his wife, Rosamond van der Linde of Manchester; three sons, Colin Gilmartin of Worcester, MA, Brendan Gilmartin and Ryan Gilmartin, both of Manchester; five step children; eight grandchildren; his mother, Dorothy Gilmartin of Florida; two sisters, Sandra Gilmartin Connell of Manchester, and Patricia Gilmartin St. Germain of Clearwater, FL; nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

A memorial service was held Thursday December 29, 2005 at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North St., Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gilmartin Foundation, to benefit youth athletics, c/o Centrix Bank, One Atwood Lane, Bedford, NH 03110.