WINTHROP (AP) – Lee St. Hilaire’s hockey jersey hung next to his open casket, and his football number was formed from flowers of Winthrop High’s green and white school colors at a memorial service that drew 1,000 people.

The 20-year-old St. Hilaire, who was considered one of central Maine’s all-time great high school athletes, died Tuesday at a hospital in Bangor of a shotgun wound. A medical examiner ruled his death a suicide.

His memorial service was held in the former high school building’s gymnasium on Saturday. St. Hilaire’s coaches and his uncle recalled stories about his athletic feats, which helped to propel Winthrop High to a state football championship in 2002, and St. Hilaire’s life off the field. The vignettes brought laughter and tears to many in the crowd.

Winthrop football Coach Joel Stoneton recalled St. Hilaire’s achievements on the field just below the gymnasium, and St. Hilaire’s relationship with coaches and fellow players.

“His companionship is what we will all miss the most,” Stoneton said.

The Rev. Robert Carlson, chaplain at Husson College, who was with St. Hilaire’s family at the hospital where he was brought after the shooting and conducted Saturday’s service, spoke of his fondness for St. Hilaire.

“He and I hit it off from the beginning,” said Carlson, who wore his academic regalia during the service.

Jonathan “Gabby” Price, Husson’s football coach, talked about St. Hilaire’s ability to be a full-time student, hold a job and be an athlete.

“He opened a window to Winthrop,” Price said of St. Hilaire, who was awarded the James J. Fitzpatrick trophy in 2002.

for being the state’s top high school football player.

St. Hilaire’s uncle, Perley Laliberte, delivered messages from family members. Some of St. Hilaire’s former teammates who sat in the bleachers wore their green-and-white Winthrop varsity jackets. Two busloads of students, including football players, arrived from Husson for the service.

AP-ES-02-22-04 1230EST

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