Gary Maciejewski, a longtime horseman who was employed as a paddock security guard at Miami Valley Raceway, passed away suddenly this morning (March 18).

Maciejewski, age 67, was born in Toledo, but migrated to Lebanon before securing his driver/trainer license in 1985. Maciejewski only used his driver’s license on 15 occasions at Ohio county fairs over the years, with his lone win coming in 1998. As a trainer, he enjoyed considerable success with 89 registered wins from 871 lifetime starts. At the time of his passing, he owned one horse, Atoka Millionaire, who has been entrusted to his longtime friend Roy Wilson since the beginning of the year.

A security guard at Lebanon Raceway prior to the opening of Miami Valley, Maciejewski has checked horses in at the MVG paddock entrance since the track’s inception in 2014. Maciejewski was his jovial self, busy checking in horse’s at Miami Valley’s qualifying races on Wednesday afternoon, and was reportedly readying for work at MVG today when he collapsed.

UPDATE

A ‘Celebration Of Life’ for Gary Maciejewski, who passed away suddenly last Friday at the age of 67, will be held this Thursday (March 24) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the race office building on the Warren County Fairgrounds, home of old Lebanon Raceway.

A longtime harness horseman, as well as a paddock security guard at nearby Miami Valley Raceway, Maciejewski was born in Toledo but migrated to Lebanon after receiving his driver-trainer license from the USTA in 1985. From just 15 sporadic county fair sulky starts, Gary guided one winner in 1998. As a trainer, he enjoyed considerable success harnessing 89 winners in 871 starts for total earnings of $281,366. His lone horse at the time of his passing was Atoka Millionaire, who has been trained and driven to 11 victories over the past two years by close friend Roy Wilson.

Maciejewski was liked by all who came in contact with him over the years. His friendly demeanor and constant smile were perfect for his role as ‘greeter,’ checking horses in and out of the Miami Valley Raceway paddock every day since the track opened in January of 2014. Previously, he was the gate guard at Lebanon Raceway congenially greeting owners, trainers, drivers and caretakers as they entered the backstretch area.

The family invites all of Gary’s friends to gather Thursday and bring a favourite Gary Maciejewski story to share prior to a short memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Fund, a favourite cause of Maciejewski.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Gary Maciejewski.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)