Gary Heldenbergh Derby to Take Place on August 21st

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— On Wednesday, August 21^st, the Massachsetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Men's Soccer team will visit Anna Maria College to play an exhibition match against the AMCATS in the first annual Gary Heldenbergh Derby on Caparso Field at 6pm.  Gary, who passed away from ALS on December 29, 2023, played soccer at Anna Maria from 1992-1993 and MCLA from 1993-1996. Gary ranks 7th in career goals (26), 9th all-time in season assists (8), 6th in career assists (19) and 6th in career points (71). At Anna Maria, he holds the record for points in a season with 56 and goals in a season with 27. He is fifth all-time in career points (56) and fourth all-time in goals (27) despite playing only one season for the AMCATS.

Current MCLA head coach Adam Hildabrand was a teammate of Heldenbergh at MCLA when the college was known as North Adams State College. Current Anna Maria athletic director Joseph Brady was a college teammate of Heldenbergh at Anna Maria as well as a longtime teammate of his for the Fuller Hamlets out of Sutton, MA.

"I remember Gary fondly as a teammate.  He was equally talented and kind.  Best friends with everyone on the team and a great sense of humor.  His smile will be something that will always stay with me, commented MCLA men's soccer Head Coach Adam Hildabrand.

"Gary was an outstanding soccer player but an even better person. I have so many fond memories of playing with Gary for the Fuller Hamlets, and it was great to play with them again in college even though it was only for a year", commented Director of Athletics Joe Brady. "The first annual Gary Heldenbergh Derby between Anna Maria and MCLA is a great way to honor Gary and raise awareness and money to fight ALS."

Gary's sister Andrea graduated from Anna Maria in 1994 and was instrumental in starting the women's soccer team there. His brother Kyle also graduated from Anna Maria in 1994 and played men's soccer for the AMCATS.

Gary, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ALS, will be remembered as a man devoted to his family and a well-loved member of the Burlington community.

Gary was the youngest of four children born to the late William and Gladys (Ramsay) Gary from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He grew up in Douglas, MA, where he played youth soccer, which he was coached by his dad. He later transitioned to elite club team play (Fuller Hamlets, Sutton, MA) in the late 1980s when club teams were rare. Gary graduated from Douglas High School and was recognized as an outstanding soccer player who earned League All-Star status. After graduating from Douglas High, Gary attended North Adams State and earned a degree in English. After graduating from college, Gary pursued a career in technology. He accepted a position at EMC as a product support engineer and later became a customer engineer. As a valued EMC team member, he was occasionally called upon to travel internationally for EMC projects. He later spent 10 years at Vistaprint as a Principal SAN Engineer. For the last six years, Gary found his niche in a job that he loved as a Senior Data Center Architect at Focus Technology Solutions, specializing in data center matters and data security protection. At Focus, Gary enjoyed his work and the mutual respect of his coworkers and clients.

Most of all, Gary was a devoted family man. He met his wife, Patti, the love of his life, in 2001. They married in 2004 and settled in Burlington in 2007 with their two young sons, Ryan and Tyler. As the boys began playing youth sports, Gary spent many enjoyable hours coaching them. As a youth soccer coach, he shared his soccer expertise with his boys and many other youngsters involved in the Burlington Youth Soccer Association. He also coached the boys on several baseball teams as part of the Burlington Baseball Association. When the boys began participating in Burlington Youth Hockey, Gary joined the BHSA Board of Directors and soon became President of the Board. Believing in a kids-first philosophy, Gary's tenure on the Board was characterized by decisions that were made in the best interest of kids.

Gary was the caring brother of Pam Moynagh and her husband, Kevin, of Worcester, Kyle Heldenbergh and his wife, Jessica, of Sutton, and Andrea Hughes and her husband, Mitch, of Barre. He was the son-in-law of Steve and Pat (Scalley) Fernandes of Burlington and brother-in-law of Wendy and Steve Fernandes, Jr., also of Burlington. Gary is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and his beloved dog, Brady.

All proceeds raised during the Gary Heldenbergh Derby will be donated to ALS in memory of Gary.

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UP NEXT:

On Wednesday, September 4th, MCLA will open their regular season when they play host to Eastern Connecticut State University for a non-conference matchup with the Warriors at Shewcraft Field. The teams will take the pitch for a 4 p.m. kickoff.