Remembering “Ace” Bailey

One would expect that in the fifty years or so of being in business, we’d have the opportunity to encounter many characters… and people with CHARACTER. GARNET “ACE” BAILEY was of the latter, although some could make the point that he could, at times, be a bit of a “character.” Ebullient, charismatic, fun-loving, lovable… and always full-of-the-devil. Ace was the person in your life, that – if you had the opportunity to meet and to know him – you were blessed… and you became his friend. Ace truly coveted his friends.

In our history synopsis, we recalled that the influx of successful Boston Bruins players moving to our area in the early ’70s helped advance our little landscape business, Reed Brothers Enterprises (soon to be The Reed Corporation.) Following the Bruins Stanley Cup victory in 1972 the newly married “Ace” Bailey, with his wife Kathy, purchased a home in Lynnfield. It wasn’t very long after their arrival in town that The Reeds would start a lifelong friendship with an iconic figure of the era.

Ken Hodge, a Bruins teammate and friend – and a Lynnfield neighbor, who we had been working for – “dispatched” us over to “Ace’s Place.”  Ace, he said, was in a lot of trouble and needed our help. It seemed that ALL of Ace’s newly planted foundation shrubs (the origin of which was dubious and VERY suspect) had been “stolen” in the night.  Well, we showed up in force – met Ace and Kathy – and replanted their garden.  Ace, it can be noted, was always sketchy about how and under what circumstances the shrubs were planted in the first place.  But so it was, that a close relationship would begin – one that would last for twenty-nine years – until Ace perished in the terror attacks of September 2001.  Through the years we were involved in many landscape/hardscape projects at “The Bailey’s” – all the while, honing our skills and enjoying Ace and Kathy’s hospitality.  Ace would often work alongside of us, developing HIS own landscape skills, and, from time to time join in on Reed Corporation projects – “lending some expertise and muscle.”

Fifteen years have passed since we lost Ace, but his joie de vivre and persona were such that those of us friends and family who knew him well will remember the stories for a lifetime…

Like, for instance the one that Rick Smith a good friend and teammate during the “Big Bad Bruins” heyday in the late ’60s and early ’70s likes to tell… Rick recalls, The Bruins’ preseason training camp in those days was in London, Ontario.  In ’68 as Ace and probably a few other young players along with him, were sent down by the Bruins to Hershey, PA – the Bears were then the Bruins top minor league affiliate.  As the crow flies, Hershey is just a few hours drive south, but Ace arrived SEVERAL DAYS LATER.  Bruins GM Milt Schmidt, in visiting Hershey to investigate the circumstances, was incredulous.  Ace, “what happened””  Unfazed by the inquest regarding his circuitous route, Ace’s retort… “bad directions.” Classic.  He just had a knack for defusing situations with humor.

The talented Bears, with a number of future Bruins, would win the Calder Cup and AHL Championship in 1969

Or the time in late August of 2001 when a group including Ace and Kathy were our guests for a Rod Stewart concert at the then Great Woods venue.  Rod often kicks autographed soccer balls into the audience during his shows.  So, when a ball came in our vicinity, Ace launched his two hundred something pound frame ACROSS THREE ROWS of female fans – all would be souvenir owners.  With a less-than graceful dive; bodies flying around him, and much shrieking – he snatched the soccer ball and emerged from the “scrum” victorious.  Beautiful.  Ace was indeed a determined sort and he was just going to get that ball!  The much coveted gift from him that night is proudly on display in Wes and Robin Reed’s library.  It would be the last time The Reeds would see him.

One story which remains a favorite occurred in 1976 during the time when Ace was with the Washington Capitols.  Wes Reed remembers… summers were spent by many of the local NHL players – golfing, playing softball and generally enjoying life.  Tom McVie, The Capitols new head coach (and a health and fitness “nut”) was one of the first proponents of proper nutrition and “land conditioning” as precursors of a rigorous NHL campaign.  Dogs, burgers and beers were decidedly NOT on Tommy’s dietary regimen… as well, he had a rather extensive daily summer workout routine outlined for his troops.  Needless to say all this stuff was pretty foreign for the “vacationing” players in the off season in those days.

But Tommy was determined to lead the woeful Caps out of their customary last place position… and it would all start with proper summer conditioning for his players.  The new coach was well aware of the players’ usual (and casual) “conditioning” format (or lack thereof.)  He also knew Ace from their days together with the Bruins… and of Ace’s particular distain for ANY off season conditioning regimen.  So it was, that Tommy sent his boys a VERY LARGE manuscript (think the size of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”) outlining – in detail – his mandate for the players’ summer conditioning agenda.

Summer 1976… for Ace – some gardening, some golf, lots of softball and an occasional adult beverage or two… Ace and many NHL players who stayed in the area played on “The NHL All Stars” softball team… what fun… but not much else in the way of “conditioning.” One day in mid-summer while visiting, Wes inquired… how’s the training going, Ace?  (Or something like that) are you USING your book?  “Yup… a lot.”  And, Ace with that huge grin of his, and with great glee could hardly wait to show me how he was USING it.  Leading me into his OUTDOOR BAR, Ace proudly showed me HOW.  There it was – TOM MCVIE’S MANUAL – in the corner – smelly, wrinkled and stained, propping up Ace’s draft beer keg!  Magnificent!… and vintage Ace.

At the start of the ’76 training camp Tommy put his boys through some rigorous “land” exercises – including a mile or two run.  Ace, a surprisingly fast runner for a big man, “left the rookies in the dust” and, as he would tell the story with pride, Coach McVie said – well at least I know Ace – that YOU used YOUR book this summer… and Ace’s comeback – every day Coach… EVERY DAY!

Ace’s professional hockey career after The Capitols, would take him to outposts such as Houston, Wichita and to Western Canada with the Edmonton Oilers, a coming home of sorts, since Ace started his lifetime in organized hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings junior team. With the Oilers’ organization, Ace would enjoy championships – an AVCO Cup (World Hockey Association) and another five Stanley Cups – (a little known fact of Ace’s career – he may be the ONLY person to be on a winning team of these four different “Cups.” The Memorial Cup (with The Brandon Wheat Kings), The Calder Cup (with The Hershey Bears), The Stanley Cup (two with The Bruins as a player and five with The Oilers as a scout and player executive) and The AVCO Cup (Oilers).

During his time with The Oilers, Ace befriended and mentored (no surprises there) a budding superstar Wayne Gretsky who would become one of the NHL’s greatest players. Ace is likely the only player to be a teammate of TWO of the greatest -Wayne Gretsky and Bobby Orr. Wayne’s career, after much success in Edmonton, then took him to the LA Kings where eventually, after retirement, he became part of management. He brought Ace along with him, and Ace continued his scouting career as the much respected eastern pro-scout for The Kings. But fate would intervene… in September of 2001, Ace was headed to LA for the start of The Kings’ training camp.

Most recollections about Ace Bailey revolve around his humorous, generous and sensitive side.  He was all of that, but he was also one “tough customer” who NEVER shied away from a confrontation or battle – actually reveling in the like – always quickly coming to the defense of a teammate or friend.  Wes Reed recalls an incident at a Boston night club in the ’70s… Ace and Kathy were part of his group of guests.  We had some problems with people at a neighboring table which led to their being escorted out of the club, you might say at our “request” – only to later sneak back in through a side door to settle the score.  I got up to use the men’s room and two thugs (who had earlier been thrown out) -– likely packing with some sort of weapons – trailed me in.  Ace spotted all this happening and made a beeline for the men’s room… enraged, veins popping and spoiling for fight.  Approaching the two would be assailants from behind (they were about to jump me) Ace grabbed one by the throat and lifted him off the floor – scaring the S_ _ T out of BOTH creeps and ending the encounter.  Ace was in his glory.  No question Ace saved me that night.  I never let him forget my gratitude.

So for those of us who knew and loved Ace, there is little question in our minds that… as Todd Bailey says about the terrorists who, on that fateful day, brought down the plane – if they ever find my Dad’s Stanley Cup Ring it will have their DNA on it”… they must have had their hands full with Garnet “Ace” Bailey.

Ace Bailey’s legacy of generosity, kindness to others and love for children lives on through The Ace Bailey Foundation.  For information refer to www.acebailey.org.

Dedicated to The Loving Memory of Garnet “Ace” Bailey

For other reading on Ace – refer to Big Jack’s Gym