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Hall of Fame Suns writer, reporter, and broadcaster Joe Gilmartin passed away on Tuesday night. He was 88.
Longtime Suns writer and broadcast analyst Joe Gilmartin passed away Tuesday night. https://t.co/8BGIwTeTkm
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 28, 2018
Following the news of Gilmartin’s death, the Suns released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Joe’s passing. A Hall of Fame writer, Joe knew the game as well as anyone, but he coupled that knowledge with the unique ability to report with his trademark humor, a trait that matched his lovable personality. Joe always greeted you with a smile and it’s his warm nature that will be missed more than anything. Our thoughts are with all of Joe’s family and friends.”
Few in the industry have had a career as decorated or as celebrated as Gilmartin’s.
His work with the Phoenix Gazette began when he joined as an assistant sports editor in 1962. He’d become the sports editor a year later, and would continuing writing columns for over 30 years.
Gilmartin was awarded the Arizona Sportswriter of the Year award a record 16 times. In 1974 he became the first president of the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
In 2014 he was presented the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
His book The Little Team that Could...And Darn Near Did about the 1976 Suns reaching the NBA Finals is a must read for any Phoenix fan.