Golden Gloves of America Official Website

Bill Hoar – 4/22/1932 – 3/3/2010

Since 1986 Bill Hoar of Chelmsford, Mass. was the Golden Gloves Franchise delegate of the New England Golden Gloves. He mentored many young boxers and would do anything he could to benefit the sport, from helping local clubs that
were struggling to accompanying champions to the National Tournament of Champions.

Bill served on the Board of Directors of the National Golden Gloves and always kept what was best for the organization as his objective.

Bill retired after 46 years with the Lowell Sun newspaper. During the Carter administration he was named a friendship ambassador with the Friendship Force, an organization that promoted interrelations and exchange with people from Europe.
He is survived by wife Susan, son Devin, daughters Susan Alves, Julie LaGrassa and her husband Antonio, grandchildren Mia and A. J. LaGrassa, and Irene and Alice McLaughlin-Alves; sister Barbara Hoar; brothers-in-law, Daniel Alves and wife Ann Marie, Manuel Alves and wife Nancy; sister-in-law, Sandra Patria and husband Kenneth.

The Golden Gloves had planned to present Bill as the newest inductee into the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame at this tournament. Now he is being inducted posthumously with his widow Susan and son Devin attending this tournament in Little Rock to accept the award.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of another great Golden Glover.

Pellmann a boxer's best friend
Business owner gave back to sport

By Gary D’Amato of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Oct. 20, 2009

John "Jack" Pellmann ran away from an orphanage at age 11 and eked out a living as a shoeshine boy, going from bar to bar on Milwaukee's south side.
He might have gone down the wrong path if not for boxing, which he credited for keeping him off the streets and giving him self-esteem.
Pellmann went on to make millions as the owner of Handicapped Industries Inc., but he never forgot his roots and never stopped giving back to the sport he loved.
Pellmann, of Brookfield, died Monday of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 73.
"Boxing was his No. 1 love next to his family," said his son, John Pellmann. "He was a wonderful, wonderful husband and father. He loved boxing. His life revolved around boxing."
The elder Pellmann was a state Golden Gloves champion and an all-Armed Services champion. He was a U.S. Army Ranger and served in Korea.
"He had a 102-2 amateur record," his son said. "That's the number I always heard growing up."
Later, Pellmann owned the J. Pellmann Theater on Oakland Ave., and Handicapped Industries Inc., a coupon clearinghouse.
"He employed handicapped people and paid significantly more than minimum wage," his son said. "He was the middle man between the food manufacturers and the grocery stores back before everything was done electronically."
Pellmann remained actively involved in boxing. He owned the Wisconsin Golden Gloves franchise for many years and twice helped bring the National Golden Gloves Tournament to Milwaukee.
In '95, he founded the American Boxing Classic, an amateur tournament that quickly became known as one of the best in the United States.
The ABC had a nine-year run, first at the Milwaukee Auditorium and later at the Waukesha Expo Center, and attracted talented young boxers such as Floyd Mayweather, Jermain Taylor and Joe Mesi.
The boxers loved the tournament because they were treated like royalty. Pellmann flew them in, put them up in hotels, fed them and gave them the maximum allowable per diem. He also let them keep their ABC uniforms. The winners got 14-karat gold rings and custom-designed trophies.
"He lost tens of thousands every year doing that," Pellmann's son said. "But that was his way of giving back to the boxers. He knew what it was like to grow up on the streets. He got out of it the sense of being able to help young men. It gave him great joy."
In 1969, Pellmann became the first inductee into the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame. He was named Golden Gloves man of the year in 1972 and also served as director emeritus of the organization.
"We lost somebody who was for the kids, the boxers," said Israel Acosta, a former Golden Gloves champion and current boxing coach at the United Community Center. "Everything he did was for the boxers. I loved the guy. We're going to miss him."
Pellmann was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and a daughter, Rannice Su (Bernt) Jensen. He is survived by his son and a daughter, Linda Weber, along with six grandchildren.
Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, with the funeral service at 7.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Golden Gloves Association of America (P.O. Box 324, Magna, Utah, 84044) are appreciated.

John "Jack" Pellmann
Pellmann, John Passed to eternal rest Monday, October 19, 2009. Age 73 years. Beloved husband of Joan (nee Laabs). Dear father of the late Rannice Su (Bernt) Jensen, Linda Weber and John (Mary) Pellmann. Grandfather of Stephanie, John, Jacqlyn Pellmann; Rexford, Samuel and Griffin (Natalie)Weber. Brother of Elaine Calaihan, Georgia (Ray) Hernandez, Ruth Pellmann. Brother-in-law of Roland (Carol) Laabs and Carol Jean Greely. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral service Wednesday 7 PM in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park (13235 W Capitol). Private interment Wisconsin Memorial Park. In state at the Chapel of the Chimes Wednesday 5 PM until the time of service. Member of HEPPA, Italian Community Center, Pompei Mens' Club, and Knights of Pithius. Founder and Executive Director of American Boxing Classic, and first inductee into the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame. Former owner of J. Pellman Theater, Director Emeritus of Golden Gloves Association of America, and Franchise holder of Wisconsin Golden Gloves. Former member of US Olympic Committee. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Golden Gloves Association of America (PO Box 324, Magna, UT 84044) appreciated. BEVSEK-VERBICK Serving the Family 414-546-4342 Online Condolences www.bvfh.net