The Northern Massachusetts/Southern New Hampshire Baseball community lost one of it's most valuable members on Tuesday with the early morning passing of Harry Ayotte at age 77. Ayotte, who hailed from Chelmsford, Mass., was extremely well known in the Lowell area as he was a long time Assistant Coach at Chelmsford High School. He was also a former Coach of the Chelmsford Merchants and was the current owner and operator of the semi-pro team.

Ayotte also made his mark operating the Mill City All-Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League from 2000 to present. This past fall the team moved to Old Orchard Beach, Maine. 

Ayotte, who became ill last spring, was recently honored by the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association as one of their 2010 Assistant Coaches of the Year for his longtime work with the Chelmsford High School club. He was known for his gentle manner and sharp baseball mind that is well known throughout the state of Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. 

"Harry was as kind and friendly as they come. On or off the field he was a tremendous human being. Many of my current players played under him during their high school days and he will not be soon forgotten," said Bobby Gibbons, current manager of the Chelmsford Merchants Baseball team.

The Merchants will wear a patch on the sleeve of their uniforms this summer in honor of Harry and all he's done for the team.

Source: Nashua Telegraph