Class of 1972
Ray Gallant is the epitome of the multi-sport athlete that characterized the genesis of Acton Boxboro's athletic heritage. This fierce competitor excelled on the gridiron for Ed Leary's teams that formed the foundation of a football legacy. A bruising half back with outside speed and inside toughness coof Fame's Mike Williams, Ray Beaudoin, Mike Jeanson, Al and Richie Ramos holding your ground, gaining respect, proving you belong. Ray Gallant was this young freshman earning the right to play on the AB Colonial Varsity Football team.
No one embodies the pride and spirit of Acton Boxboro more than Ray Gallant. He is a throwback to the athletes of yore who took pride in representing
their town, their school and their team. Ray bleeds Blue and Gold. For a young coach, AB Hall of Fame's Ed Leary, Ray opened a new avenue of communication
between a coach, a player and parents. Just so he could play at the varsity level. A new bond was formed between coach and athlete growing even to this day.
Ray was not quick, agile, graceful or the strongest kid on the field. Ray was a student of the game. What Ray brought to each game was guts, a tenacious desire
to win and the ability to motivate and lead his teammates by example. Ray refused to be tackled. These attributes would be carried onto Larry McNulty's basketball
and baseball teams. Ray was a winner. Ray earned 11 of 12 possible varsity letters in four sports. He was a tri-captain of his football team. Baseball was his best
sport. His only pitch, a fastball, daring you to hit it. Ray closed out his high school career with a starry performance in the Lowell Sun All-star Football Game.
Quoting scribe Bob Coan, "Ray was a many splendored student-athlete-poet and now goes onto Springfield College. Ray leaves a big void on the Charter Road campus as an athlete
but more importantly as a person." At Springfield, Ray played strong safety as a three year starter and was voted to "The All-decade Team" on the Springfield College Rugby Club.
He returned to Acton upon graduation where he joined his father at Gallant Insurance Agency. He joined the coaching staff of the Football Colonials where he remains to this day.
Ray spent several seasons coaching junior high basketball and baseball. Ray is one of the founders of The Colonial Club and the AB Hall of Fame.
Another chapter will be written on Ray Gallant's coaching and professional career. Ray married Cathy Harrington making them the first husband and wife AB Hall of Famers. The Gallants have four children, Julie, Kevin, Megan and Kelly. Ray resides in West Acton in a home located on the old third base line of Kinsley Field.
