Add Don Gillis to the growing list of Greater Boston pioneer sports broadcasters' voices silenced in recent years. Gillis, a longtime radio and TV voice and sports anchor, died last Wednesday at 85 in Falmouth after a battle with Alzheimer's disease, his son, Gary Gillis told the Boston Globe.

Gillis' death follows the passing from the local sports scene in recent years of the likes of larger-than-life broadcaster Curt Gowdy, the voice of the Red Sox before moving on to the national scene where he made a lasting impression; Johnny Most, the legendary Boston Celtics' play-by-play broadcaster with the unique gravelly voice; Ned Martin, the TV and radio voice of the Red Sox; Martin's partner, Ken Coleman, who did Sox games for so many years; and earlier this year, Jess Cain, the popular WHDH radio morning-show pioneer who may be best known for singing a rather corny, but oh so uplifting, song that defines the commemorative album (now a CD) of the 1967 Impossible Dream team, "Carl Yastrzemski: The Man They Call Yaz."

Gillis enjoyed a tremendous, historic career in Boston, starting in 1951, when WHDH radio hired him. He made history in 1962 when WHDH-TV created the sports anchor post for him, a post he held through 1983 at the former WHDH-TV's (not to be confused with the current WHDH-TV, Channel 7) successor, WCVB-TV (Channel 5). But of all the assignments Gillis so capably handled, including narrating with Coleman the TV version of "The Impossible Dream" record album, none will be remembered as fondly as the Saturday show that Gillis hosted for almost 30 years.

Those older than 50 who grew up watching Boston stations in the '60s knows exactly what I'm talking about. "Candlepin Bowling," on WHDH and WCVB, ran from 1967 to 1996 with Don Gillis. (The show's first host, from 1958 to 1967, was Jim Britt, according to Wikipedia). "Candlepin Bowling" showcased some of the best candlepin bowlers (that'd be the small balls for those who didn't grow up bowling that style) around. Gillis was the consummate gracious host, and he handled his duties with the same gentlemanly touch he brought to everything he did.

("Candlepin Bowling" was confused, it turns out, in some of Gillis' obituaries with another candlepin show, "Candlepins for Cash," which was hosted by another well-known Boston broadcaster of that era, Bob Gamere, on WNAC-TV Channel 7 from 1973-1980 and on the old WXNE-TV Channel 25 by former Sox shortstop Rico Petrocelli from 1980 to 1982, according to Wikipedia.) Gillis' passing again makes us 50-somethings feel even older as we realize how much of our personal history we've lost in recent years.

Their stilled voices, however, should do more than belong to history: they should serve as enduring inspiration to those now on the air and their successors.

An inspiring week

If you need some extra inspiration, you won't have far to look this week. For instance:

Today is Volunteer Day, featuring a city hall ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and a noon luncheon at the Attleboro Elks. Volunteers keep the area's groups and organizations going, and it'd be easy to take them for granted - something that will never happen thanks to the event organized by the city and Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Thank a volunteer this week.

Volunteers also will help make May Day a success at Attleboro High School, starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, when the Attleboro Area Special Olympics are held. The Attleboro police, Attleboro Elks and AHS students will be among the hundreds of volunteers making the day possible. Sincere thanks are due to all who help put on the truly inspiring event.

Like inspiration and good food? Then show up at the Hockomock Area YMCA's North Attleboro branch (300 Elmwood St.) this Saturday between 3 and 9 p.m. for its annual "Wing-Off," a deliciously fun fundraiser for the Hockomock YMCA's Reach Out for Youth and Families campaign. We've already had a few mentions of the event in the paper, and you'll be able to read even more about it in Staff Writer Rebecca Keister's story in the entertainment section, GO, which is included in The Sun Chronicle every Thursday. Tickets are $25 (advance) and $30 (at the door).

The Strut Your Mutt fundraiser will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at North Attleboro High School to benefit the North Attleboro Animal Shelter and the kind folks who keep that place going.

Last, but definitely not least, downtown Attleboro will be THE place to be Saturday morning when a plethora of worthy community events will be going on at the same time in what can only be described as a harmonic convergence.

The annual cleanup of the Ten Mile River and trail by the Balfour Riverwalk Park and surrounding areas will start at 8 a.m. and go until noon. About the same time, the children's races that are part of the Attleboro YMCA's Healthy Kids Day will be starting, and after the Strawberry Patch Run finishes up, the races for older children and adults, the 5K and 10K races, will make their 32nd annual appearance, starting with the 5K race and the related Walk for Literacy to aid The Literacy Center.

While the 10K runners are warming up, Healthy Kids Day festivities will be getting under way at Balfour Riverwalk Park, and there will be something for the entire family. So come over to the park and say hello to the fine folks at the YMCA, who have been working real hard for weeks. As for me, if you look real hard, you may see an old guy desperately trying to recover his youth running down West Street. Throw only water.

LARRY KESSLER is a Sun Chronicle local news editor. Reach him at lkessler@thesunchronicle.com.