Former Altoona, Pa., team owner dies at 78
Tom Gill, a longtime Dirt Late Model team owner and supporter of Bedford (Pa.) Speedway and Hesston (Pa.) Speedway, died Friday in an automobile accident in his hometown of Altoona, Pa. He was 78.
Gill's No. 55 "was a force at tracks throughout our region for many years," according to a tribute on the Bedford Speedway Facebook page. He and his wife Mary Ann fielded cars over the years for drivers including Jim Rinker, Larry Wright, Kevin Smith, Davey Johnson, Bob Wearing Jr., John Britsky, Andy Fries, Brian Weyandt, D.J. Troutman, Rick Singleton, Mike Shoemaker, Steve Campbell and Shawn McGarvey.
"Tom, with Mary Ann alongside, was at Bedford each and every week, helping in anyway that he could," according to the Bedford tribute. "He was a great friend to all who knew him. Tom will be greatly missed and we ask that you keep Mary Ann and their family in your prayers."
Gill owned Gill’s Excavating and Gill’s Used Cars in Altoona. Besides his wife, he's survived by a daughter and two sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visitation is 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Anthony P. Scaglione Funeral Home. A private funeral service will be held by the family with interment will be at Blair Memorial Park.
