NHL defenseman won Stanley Cup with Bruins in 1970
Published in the March 29, 2017 edition
LYNNFIELD — Gary Walter Doak passed away peacefully at home on March 25, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Gary was born on February 25, 1946. He was a National Hockey League defenseman who played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. Best known for his 14 seasons with the Bruins, over 789 NHL regular season games the stay-at-home defenseman amassed a plus 140 plus/minus rating. He was also a member of the 1970 Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship team. Following his playing career, Gary was the Boston Bruins’ assistant coach from 1981 to 1985. He also served as the head coach at the University of Massachusetts Boston for two years. Following his hockey career, Gary owned the Epicurean restaurant in Exeter, N.H., and then went on to lead the Recreation Department of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. He was also well known for his charitable efforts, which included his coordination of, and participation in, youth hockey clinics, his participation in the Dana-Farber Pan Mass Challenge for cancer research, and his wide-ranging efforts associated with the Boston Bruins Alumni. In recent years, Gary split his time between his homes in Lynnfield and Boca Raton, FL. During this time, in addition to spending time with friends and family, he enjoyed many rounds of golf and walks on the beach with his faithful dog, Buddy. Gary was the beloved husband of Judith (Shore) Doak. He was the loving father of Jennifer Doak-Deraps and her husband Michael, and Ryan G. Doak and his wife Elizabeth of Tuscon, AZ. He was the proud grandfather of Benjamin, Lucas, Elijah, Nathan and Sam. He was the caring brother of Sue Hanson and her late husband Bob and Steve Doak and his late wife Fran, all of Canada. He is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Wednesday, March 29, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 758 Salem St., Lynnfield on Thursday at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102 Danvers, MA 01923 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
