Milton, Milt, Goldband devoted almost 40 years of his life to serving the greater Morristown community.  He happily and wholeheartedly gave his time to serving many of our area’s nonprofits, with an especially devoted focus on helping the community youth through athletics.  He has been referred to as a legendary volunteer who developed the character of our area’s young men, organizing and coaching a diverse group of baseball and basketball athletes from the ages of 8 to 18. 

This is a petition to name or rename a ball field in the Town of Morristown to memorialize Milt Goldband and his notable civic contributions to the Morristown area community.  Some potential fields include Lidgerwood (i.e., Milt Goldband Field at Lidgerwood Park) or Twin Oaks, or any other available fields are also possible sites.   

“Milt was a living legend around town.”

“I don’t know if he knows how much he gave to the community we grew up in. Tell him for me.”

Athletic Volunteer Background

Mr. Goldband’s highly regarded volunteer athletic career began in 1963 coaching Little League for four years.  Initially, his motivation was to be there for his son, but he found such satisfaction touching so many young lives that it became his passion, and he continued volunteering in athletics for 35+ years.  His Morristown teams drew players from numerous high schools including Morristown, Bayley Ellard, Delbarton, Parsippany Hills, and others.  

In 1967 Milt moved up to be Babe Ruth League coach for fifteen years.  Eight of those years he was President of the Morristown Babe Ruth League.  In the 10-year period between 1966 and 1975, his Morristown Babe Ruth teams won eight state championships.  While a Babe Ruth coach and President he helped found a new league division exclusively for 13-year-olds to ease their transition from Little League to Babe Ruth’s 14- and 15-year-olds league.  In 1981 he began coaching the Morris County American Legion for 16- to 18-year-olds.  Five out of the thirteen years he was American Legion coach, he was also President.    

Milt’s athletic volunteerism actually began in the mid-1950’s when he ran the Morristown Jewish Center Basketball Tournament.  His basketball coaching extended to the Morristown Neighborhood House for ten years.  Four of those years he also served on the Neighborhood House Board of Directors.  He later coached basketball for twelve years at Bayley Ellard Catholic School and became Athletic Director in Bayley Ellard from 1972 until 1982.  He also served as the school’s summer camp director for three years.  

His interest in youth athletics was legendary, and he was invited to be on the Morristown High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee as a ‘selector’.  He also enjoyed his role as sportswriter for the Morris News Bee.  

Milt’s coaching record was impressive.  The baseball teams frequently represented the area in state championship playoffs, winning eight Babe Ruth state championships.  His Neighborhood House basketball teams won at least nine pennants.  

Countless players attribute so much of their skill and understanding of the sport to Milt’s instructive coaching style.  Two of his Neighborhood House basketball players, Woody Keyes and Jim White, were selected All County in 1972.  Three athletes made it to the highest level in professional sports: 

·       Bob McCann with the NBA Detroit Pistons and Washington Bullets 

·       Ricky Sofield with the Major League Baseball teams, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers

·       Tom Hill, an NFL Official

And then there were so many of the others who became clergymen, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and police chiefs, including former Morristown Police Chief Peter Demnintz.  

Morristown Family Legacy

Milt was a former owner of the family business, Gold’s Stationery Store, on Morris Street.  Founded by his father, Sam in 1937, it was owned and operated through the years by Sam’s brothers, Phil and Al, Sam’s son, Milt, and Sam’s grandson, Dennis.  The business was renowned and beloved in the community.  There was even a special opening ceremony with Morristown Mayor W. Parsons Todd in 1952 when the store doubled its size by expanding, soda fountain and all, into the neighboring space.  Many of Morristown citizens’ say some of their best memories are of going to Gold’s to get ice-cream or egg creams at that soda fountain, not to mention getting any kind of candy and comic book in existence.  The Goldband family loved Morristown and its people, and vice versa. 

Volunteer Service Beyond Athletics

It’s important to note that Milt Goldband’s volunteer service extended beyond athletics, including:  

• Enlistment in the U.S. Army during Korean War time
  • Army Medical Service School graduate
  • Medical Service Corps Officer
  • 1st Lieutenant in the 141st Tank Battalion  
  • Jewish War Veterans Distinguished Certificate of Merit  
• Boy Scout leader 
• Red Cross Blood Bank volunteer 
• Soup Kitchen volunteer 
• Adult Literacy volunteer  
• Lyons VA Hospital volunteer 
• Special Olympics volunteer
  • assisted competitors in a triathlon  
• Mayo Performing Arts Center volunteer from 2009 To 2015
  • awarded Volunteer of the Year 
  • theatre seat named for him and his wife, Eve, who raised 10’s of thousands of dollars for the theatre   
• Beth Israel Cemetery Board of Directors for twenty-two years 
• Morristown Jewish Center Board of Directors for four years.

Former Morristown Mayor, David Manahan, once wrote in the Daily Record how badly Morristown needed people who cared and volunteered endless hours, naming Milt Goldband as one example.

Lasting Impact

A reply he once made to a Facebook post, so simply and poignantly shows Milt’s absolute love and dedication to all the boys and young men he coached.  The initial post by Jack Guerriero was: “Milt always stops in for dinner when he comes back home.  Great guy!  He coached one of my sons.”

Milt’s reply: “Jack Guerriero, a hard-hitting infielder.  Amazing how I remember every kid that played for me.”  He truly took pride and interest in every one of “his” kids.

After many compliments made to him on his 93rd birthday about his impact, Milt replied, 
“Thanks to all for your kind words.  My reward was the many kids who turned into good responsible adults.  I like to think I may have played some small part in their development.”

His tireless volunteer work transcended politics, race, and religion.  He cared about the humanity of the boys, not their church or color.  For decades, he defined Morristown athletics with championship play, but more importantly he created a legacy of developing boys into respected men.  Sixty years later, he still had many of those men still in contact with him right up until the week of his death.  Here is an email excerpt to Milt from Bill Keefe, “My Bayley Ellard Class of 1977 had our 40th reunion this past Saturday night and many of your former athletes were delighted to hear we keep in touch. Tom Gioglio was raving about you and the key role you played in his life.  He is now the Director of Athletics at Lock Haven College in PA.”

The overarching positive impact that Milt Goldband had on Morristown athletics, youth, and civic organizations is the motivation for requesting a ball field named in his honor.  Below are some of the many more examples of his impact that is easily seen with these Facebook posts about the man.

Citizen Comments

The following are some of the countless posts that have been made in Facebook.

Bill Smith:  Milt made a positive impact on my life as a coach in two sports!  Very smart and so dedicated to the kids as well as the sports

Ted France: He is a rock.  Smart man . Put so much time in with the kids.

April Terry:  Yes, Sir!!  From faculty and sports leader Bayley Ellard to Golds store. We just admire and love this beautiful man!!

Damon Goodwin:  Coach Milt was a maestro with ’75 13 year old Babe Ruth All-star team.  Undefeated summer.

Terry Powers:  He is still full of great Morristown stories and lessons for life!!!!!

Stuart Williamson:  Many district and state championship teams.  Great coach.

Patricia Ann Widdoss Hill:  yes. Remember going to Fredricksburg Maryland to watch my brother Jim and all you other guys play. 

Gerry Russo:  Coach Milt The Best

Jack Baker:  One of the nicest gentlemen in all of Morristown!  Hard to find a Better Person anywhere!!  I have known Milt & Family most of my life.  You could not find a better person anywhere.  He has given so much of himself to many people in Morristown.  If anyone deserves a statue or a special citation it is him.

Tony Hines:  You’re a legend with all of the ballers during that time. Whenever we get together and reminisce, your name always comes up, but the funny thing is, as great of a basketball mind you were, it’s never about basketball we got from you.  It’s always the discipline you instilled in us and being a good person.  You will always be held in high regard to all of us. Thank You Coach!!

Jackie Hoffman:  Hi, Milt!  You are missed in Morristown.

Tom Keyes:  Solid man and a soldier to boot!

Tony Lattimore:  It’s wonderful to see Mr. & Mrs. Goldband doing well.  Any kid back in the day playing sports came under his tutelage.  Unfortunately I never took the time to thank him.  Please let him know this proud Morristonian appreciated what he did for our town.  

Charles Brown:  Thinking of your folks takes me back a long time.  Back to little league days.  I think of your father often.  I coach and have started a soccer club.  So I think about all the time and effort your dad put into youth baseball.  I don’t know if he knows how much he gave to the community we grew up in. Tell him for me.  I talk about him often.  

Carolyn Leloia:  My brother’s coach – loved him!

John Viola:  Treated me GREAT!  I really miss Golds.

Paul Zammataro:  A class act.

Tom Chesson:  A real friend to the kids.  How did we get away from that kind of community involvement?

Tom Terreri:  Milt was a living legend around town.

Kevin Stansbury:  Mr. Goldband was our basketball coach when we played in the Neighborhood House league. 

Anthony Ritzie:  I hope you’re not surprised how many young men in Morristown remembered you!  And took something from knowing you!  You’re a remarkable 90 year old!  You gave your all to the people of Morristown “Coach”!  All these comments magnify the point of how good a coach and individual you were!  You unwittingly helped raise a village!  For that, I say “God Bless You.”

Karen Blanchard:  Wow! He was the nicest man… he n his style r sorely missed…customer service just ain’t what it used to be.

Leo E. McLaughlin:  I know we don't agree politically Milt.  But you always were and are a good person. Thank you for all your generosity and service.  Leo.

Scott Mitchell:  Great guy… excellent coach.

Judy Schlosser:  Milt and Eve Goldband rock.

Carol Sutton Williams:  A Morristown icon.

Dean Simmons:  Harry Shatel, Coach Goldband, John Chironna, I have been Blessed!

Carol Nicholson Newman:  Milt lived next door to us on Normandy Blvd West. My husband, John Newman, followed hi m at Bayley Ellard as Athletic Director.  He was a great neighbor and great contributor to Morristown youth.  RIP Milt!

Leo McLaughlin:  One of the treasures of old Morristown.  He will never be forgotten for all he did for others.  As good as they come.  God bless you Milt.  It was an honor to know you.  

Dave Goldblatt:  Milt, thank you for an incredible life well-lived.  Your military service, your teaching and coaching, your wonderful store, your Neighborhood House work, and all other community involvement and family love are things we can only aspire to.  

Finally – Community Support

Michael Mclaughlin, September 20:   

Let me mention that I recently friended Wendy Goldband (his daughter) and she mentioned this first.  She’s busy taking care of settling things in Florida so I figured to start the ball rolling.

Recently, one of Morristown’s great supporters of youth sports passed away. Milt Goldband was an outstanding example of contributing to his community.  He spent decades coaching, mentoring, and leading thousands of teens in the area in amateur baseball, basketball, and life in general.  He was at Lidgerwood Field, the Neighborhood House, Mennen Field, and other local sports venues volunteering most of his free time to enable and encourage youths in healthy activities.  Perhaps Morristown should do something to commemorate him.  Please comment on this with support and suggestions.

Jack Baker:  Also Bayley-Ellard! I agree 100 Percent with you.

Michael Mclaughlin:  I agree he contributed to BE. I was concentrating on his contributions to Morristown. If our HS still existed I’d petition them too.

Ray Mosso:  Definitely.  How about Milt Goldband Field at Lidgerwood Park?

Michael Mclaughlin: or maybe Milt Goldband Park?  Or Milt Goldband Court at the Nabe?  I’m good with any of these.

Ray Mosso: all would work for me. 

Mike Clark:  Very true.  Milt was a community fixture.  I spent a ton of time growing up at the baseball diamonds.  Milt was always there!  His home lawn may have needed a cutting but the infield grass was always perfect.  He was a man who left the community a better place than he found it. 

Kim Markuson:  My friend and I used to cut his home lawn as teens. He and his wife were awesome and really treated us well.  My buddy was a pitching ace at Morristown Prep in the late ‘60’s.

Patricia M Koyce:  That is a wonderful thought!

Marilyn Greenberg Kamen:  What a wonderful idea and a well deserved honor!

Ted France: He was a leader.  I hope something is done. Of course.