ROCKLAND  — Milton “Mickey” Goldsmith, 95, beloved and well-known throughout New England as the founder of Goldsmith’s Sporting Goods, died peacefully in his sleep on October 14, 2019.

Born in Old Town, he was the youngest of Arthur and Eva Goldsmith’s six children. He graduated from Old Town High School and in his freshman year at the University of Maine was drafted to serve in World War II. Assigned to the 110th Artillery, Mickey saw combat throughout Europe, including Utah Beach on D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, earning him many service medals including the Bronze Service Arrowhead.

When the war was over, he returned to the University of Maine where he met his wife, Irma.

After graduation, Mickey went to work in his father’s clothing store, eventually branching off into the sporting goods team supply business. This soon grew to include six retail stores throughout the State. After seven years, Goldsmith’s Sporting Goods was recognized as one of the top 25 team sporting goods businesses in the United States and Mickey was invited to speak to team athletic dealers at the New York Coliseum.

He was known throughout New England by the Big 10 colleges, a friend of the Boston Red Sox, invited guest of the Celtics, had lunch with Mickey Mantle, and a host of other athletic greats. He was referred to as the man who changed the way team athletic supplies were sold in the State of Maine and a legend in his own time.

Quietly, Mickey helped to jump start other small athletic businesses and supplied schools even when their budgets couldn’t cover the expenses.

A lifetime member of the Old Town Masonic Lodge, Mickey was a 32 nd degree Mason. He was an honorary member of the UMO Black Bears and served as advisor to many Maine colleges.

Mickey considered his family to be his greatest accomplishment and was extremely proud of all of them.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years Irma (Miller) Goldsmith, daughter Diana (Jim) Brickel; son Dana (Carol) Goldsmith and daughter Jodi (Terry) Veysey, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his son, David.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, Rockland. Interment was Berliawski-Small Cemetery, Park Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagertown, MD 21741-5014, or at michealjfox.org

To share a memory or condolence with the Goldsmith family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.