A good man is gone. The thankful part is, he was here.

The passing of Harold Alfond is being duly noted and the accolades are many, real and sincere. His boundless generosity is evidenced throughout Maine. He gave and gave.

I came to know him through Maine hockey. Not a close relationship – wish it had been.

When Maine hockey started, there weren’t a lot of believers that it could succeed. Harold believed.

As he did so often, he believed with his heart and his pocket book. Without his support, there would be no Maine hockey.

As always his support, while public, was quiet and without fanfare. As always, attempts to honor and thank him were like a taffy pull in a freezer.

Harold loved sports. He attended the NFL Hall of Fame inductions in New York. He took friends along. I got lucky one year.

We enjoyed a wonderful sit- down dinner in the presidential suite of the Waldorf Astoria. The meal and fellowship was as good as a turkey dinner with the family in Dexter.

We attended the induction ceremony, sitting at the table Harold had purchased. Stars abounded.

Nothing changed about Harold in the presence of sport, political and social celebrities.

Harold displayed the shy smile, the warm, gentle laugh and concern for his guests comfort.

While in San Francisco working a baseball game one year, I got this call from Harold. He was in town. Could he come over to say hi?

Right. He’s asking me.

We sat in the lobby, had a drink, and talked about baseball and hockey. He asked for an address where he could send some new shoes he thought I would like.

When I got home there was a package from Dexter Shoe. Hope you enjoy these and nice to have seen you,” said the note signed by Harold.

If you are lucky, there are a couple people in life you get to know who just seem to get it. You may not see them for long stretches, but when you do, it’s like you never were out of their company.

Harold made you feel that way. You hope he knew how much that meant.

Maine and the nation have lost a good and decent man.

I am thankful that I knew Harold Alfond.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.