by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Longtime harness racing publicist Joe Hartmann, 59, who last month was nominated for the Communicators’ Corner of the Hall of Fame, died Sunday (March 13) at his home in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

USTA photo

Joe Hartmann

Following an award-winning stint as a sportswriter in upstate New York, Hartmann’s career in harness racing began in 1980 and over the years he was the communications director at Pompano Park, Pocono Downs and Foxboro Raceway. He also was general manager of Plainridge Racecourse when it opened in 1999.

He was a frequent contributor to harness racing’s trade magazines, as well as providing information about Florida racing and special events at Plainridge. In addition, Hartmann worked regularly with the publicity department of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown.

He was a past president and chairman of the U.S. Harness Writers Association and a past president of the North American Harness Publicists Association. In 1994, he received NAHPA’s Golden Pen Award for outstanding contributions to harness racing publicity.

“I was extremely saddened to receive information that longtime friend and business associate Joe Hartmann had passed,” said Gary T. Piontkowski, President of Plainridge Racecourse. “Joe was the definition of the love of harness racing. I have over 20 years of fond memories and stories during my association with Joe. Many long nights and battles to make Plainridge a reality were spent with Joe at my side. There wasn’t a trotter Joe didn’t like and he knew more of their statistics than anyone I have ever known.”

Mr. Hartmann is survived by his wife, Maggie; daughters, Noel Czerwinski and Jessica Goggins; four grandchildren; mother, Betty Jane; two brothers; and a sister. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie, in 2003.

Memorial services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 380 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954.427.2225.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

— Gerry Connors and Jack Ginnetti contributed to this report