In Memory
In Memory of (as of January 1, 2013)
D
Art Darch, Hamilton & Toronto, 1958-1961
S
Bruce Smith, Hamilton & Toronto 1972-1976
In Memory of (as of November 2012)
The following former CFL players passed away in 2012. If there is somebody we have omitted we apologize. Please contact the CFL Alumni Association if you know of a former player that we have missed.
A
Wayne Aiken, Calgary, 1959-60
Frank Aschenbrenner, Montreal, 1951
Gord Ackerman, Toronto, 1965-1971. Coach
B
Al Brenner, Hamilton, 1971-74, Winnipeg, 1975, Ottawa, 1975-1977
Lorne Benson, Winnipeg, 1951-1955
Joe Blanchard, Winnipeg, 1950-1953
George Bossy, Montreal, 1952
C
Milt Campbell, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal 1958-64
Charlie Camilleri, Toronto, 1946-1948
Jimmy Carr, Montreal,1956, Ottawa. Coach
Pat Claridge, BC, Calgary, 1961- 1968
Charlie Collins, Montreal, 1968-1970, Saskatchewan, 1971-1975
Ed Czapiak, Hamilton,1949
E
Al Ecuyer, Montreal, Edmonton, Toronto,1959-68
H
Ed Harrington, Toronto, 1963-65, 1967-71
Eric Harris, Toronto, 1977-1979
Warren Hudson, Toronto, 1985-89, 1993, Winnipeg, 1990-1992
Bill Hortie, BC, 1954-1956
J
Chuck Jubes, Hamilton, 1955
K
Blair Kiel, Toronto, 1992.
L
Jean-Paul Lalonde, Ottawa, 1948-50, Montreal, 1952
Lamar Leachman. Calgary 1956, Montreal, Toronto. Coach.
Frank Lindley, Edmonton, 1954-1957
Peter Lougheed, Edmonton 1949-1950M
William (Bucky) McElroy, Hamilton,1955
Bill McKenna, Calgary, 1955-63
Doug McNichol, Montreal, 1953-1960, Toronto, 1961-1963
Doug MacIver, Toronto, 1976-1978, Saskatchewan, 1979-1981
Doran Major, Toronto, 1987-1990
Tom Manastersky, Montreal, 1946-1947, 1949-1950, 1952-1953, Saskatchewan, 1954
Dave Mann, Toronto, 1958, 1960-70
Maurice (Moe) Martin, HB, 1953-1957, Saskatchewan
Greg Mohns, BC, Toronto, Hamilton. Coach/Scout/General Manager – 1991-2000
Cal Murphy, BC, 1956 BC Player
Coach Cal, BC, Winnipeg, Montreal, Saskatchewan, Frankfurt Galaxy, 1974 – 2000
General Manager, 1983 -1996
O
Bob (Huck) O’Neil, Calgary, 1958-1960.
P
Joey Pal, Hamilton, Montreal. 1947-1957
Brian Palmer. Winnipeg, 1963-1965
Don Panciera, Toronto, 1953
R
Weldon (Dean) Renfro, Calgary,1956-1957
Bud Riley, BC, Winnipeg, BC, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Edmonton 1974-1987. Coach
Darrell Royal, Edmonton, 1953
S
Ken Shipp, Montreal, 1960. Coach.
Stan Stasica, Saskatchewan,1947
Bill Stewart. Montreal 1998, Winnipeg 1999.
Benny Steck. Montreal, Ottawa 1940-1951
T
John Tanner, Toronto 1972, Montreal, 1976
Pete Thodos. BC, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, 1948-1956
Jesse Thomas, Winnipeg, 1954
Ed Tomlin, Montreal, 1968
W
Archie Wallman, Hamilton 1950’s
Alex Webster, Montreal, 1953-1954
Reg Wheeler, Hamilton, 1939-48
Duane Wood, Hamilton, Edmonton,1959-196, 1965
Y
Dick Young, Hamilton, 1960
April 2, 2013: In Memory, Past Alumni President Art Darch
From Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association
We are sad to announce the passing of Past Alumni President Art Darch, peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 2nd at the age of 81. Art was an originating member of the Alumni Association and long-time member of the Executive Committee.
Art Darch was an excellent athlete, and besides playing football was a standout at Track & Field. Art actually turned down a Track & Field Scholarship at Michigan to play football. He joined the Tiger-Cats in 1952 and was quickly a starting Offensive Guard. He remained with the Tiger-Cats through the 1958 season. He missed the 1959 season due to injuries, but came back to play two seasons for the Toronto Argos in 1960 and 1961. Art Darch was elected into the Niagara Virtual Hall of Fame in 2003.
Art was a tireless volunteer and in 2012 he was among the first recipients to receive the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Associations “Award of Distinction” for Recognition of His Outstanding Contribution To Community Groups and the HTCAA.
A memorial celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, April 20th at Smith’s Funeral Home – 1167 Guelph Line in Burlington (north of the QEW) From 3 until 6 pm.
January 4, 2013: CFL mourns loss of Bruce Smith
via: http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-mours-loss-of-bruce-smith
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Defensive lineman Bruce Smith, who earned a Grey Cup ring with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before finishing his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts, has died at the age of 63.
The Argos confirmed Friday that Smith passed away Thursday morning in a Toronto hospital.
Smith had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The Texas native began his CFL career with Hamilton in 1972 and was a member of the Ticats’ Grey Cup-winning squad that season.
Smith then spent time with Edmonton and Ottawa before arriving in Toronto in 1976.
He played four seasons with the Argos (1976-’79) before retiring.
Although Toronto posted losing records in each of the four years Smith was there, he and fellow teammates Granville (Granny) Liggins and Ecomet Burley helped anchor the team’s “Dirty Dozen” defence, a unit that despite the squad’s losing ways was still one of the CFL’s best.
Smith is survived by his wife, Shirley, and children Courtney and Coby.
August 6, 2012: CFL mourns the loss of Bud Riley
via: http://www.cfl.ca/article/cfl-mourns-the-loss-of-bud-riley
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO – The Canadian Football League is mourning the loss of Bud Riley, who coached four CFL teams. He was 86.
Riley coached Toronto, Winnipeg, Hamilton and Calgary and also held assistant coaching and front office positions in the CFL.
Oregon State announced Monday that Riley died Saturday after a lengthy illness. He had been living in British Columbia.
Riley was the father of Oregon State football coach Mike Riley and a former assistant coach at the school.
Riley was an assistant coach at Oregon State from 1965-72 and returned to the school in 1979.
He was the defensive co-ordinator for Oregon State in 1967. That team, dubbed the Giant Killers, beat No. 1 Southern California and O.J. Simpson 3-0 in Corvallis.
He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Mary, and sons Mike, Ed and Pete.
Obituary: William Murry (Bucky) McElroy Jr.
via: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsstar/obituary.aspx?pid=158620036#fbLoggedOut
William Murry (Bucky) McElroy, Jr. went to be with the Lord on July 18, 2012.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 4:00 PM with Rev. Tim Neustifter and Rev. J. Roddy Taylor officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 2:00 PM.
He was preceded in death by his parents: William Murry McElroy, Sr. and Ruth Joiner McElroy.
Mr. McElroy was born in West Monroe, LA on January 23, 1929. He attended Monroe Public Schools, and graduated from Neville High School. He graduated from Hinds Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and completed his professional football career with the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
He worked for James Machine Works for 39 years; retiring as President in 1995. He was a long time member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joy James McElroy; daughter, Susan M. Weaver; son, Paul M. McElroy; grandchildren, Robin W. Reynolds, Jeffrey M. Weaver and wife, Erin F. Weaver, Samantha A. McElroy, Ellie A. McElroy; great-grandchild, Jake McElroy Weaver.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank at 4600 Central Avenue, Monroe, LA 71203
Bucky was a Christian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Professional Athlete, Businessman, Avid Golfer and Friend.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Bucky’s life to be held on Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the home of his daughter at 2710 Indian Mound Blvd., Monroe.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
Kilpatrick Funeral Home
Monroe, LA
Published in The News Star from July 19 to July 20, 2012
June 17, 2012: Ottawa sports legend Lally Lalonde dead at 85
via: www.ottawasun.com
Jean-Paul “Lally” Lalonde was a jack of all trades.
On the rink, on a field, in a ring, with a ball or a stick — Lalonde did it all.
The Ottawa-born sports legend died Sunday at the age of 85.
Lally, a nickname he earned in the Navy, left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Lalonde was a Navy boxing champion, played in the CFL with the Alouettes and Rough Riders, helped Peterborough win the Canadian senior lacrosse championship and Mann Cup in 1951, and was the Ottawa senior lacrosse league MVP 11 years in a row.
He played hockey in the American Hockey League as well as the Pacific Coast Hockey League, never making it to the NHL but coaching young talents like Larry Robinson, Pat Burns and Jacques Martin.
“He really did do it all, I have to say,” said his daughter, Tina Klassen, noting that lacrosse was his favourite sport.
Klassen recalled her father fondly, laughing through anecdotes of her father’s renowned colourful personality.
“He had a very bad mouth. He came from a time when you could say whatever you wanted, and he did,” she said with a laugh. “And the funny thing is, nobody complained. Everyone just laughed.”
After his days as an accomplished athlete, Lalonde still held a strong presence in Ottawa’s sports scene.
He hosted a sports television show and a radio show, becoming a public personality and local authority on all things sports.
His career in the sports community spanned over 40 years, from the mid-1940s until the late ’80s.
In 1983 he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, which Klassen said was a highlight of his career.
Klassen said her father slowed down in the ’90s, but still enjoyed watching almost every sport on TV.
She recalled as a child not quite understanding how everyone knew who her father was, or why people were so impressed with him.
“Certainly for a good 40 years, he was into everything and everybody knew who he was,” she said.
When her family would go out, she said, everyone would stop Lalonde to chat.
His health began to deteriorate over the last six years as Lalonde suffered from Alzheimer’s.
He moved into the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre for the last few years of his life.
He led a full life as a talented athlete, coach and media personality.
Lalonde left behind his daughters Tina and Tracey, and his wife of 56 years, Marjory.
His great sense of humour, his loud personality and his contributions to sports are all part of Lalonde’s legend.
“He had his great time,” said Klassen.
There will be no public reception for Lalonde, just a private service for his family.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre.
marlo.cameron@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @marlocameron
May 23, 2012: CFL, Argos mourn passing of Dave Mann
via: http://www.cfl.ca/article/cfl-argos-mourn-passing-of-dave-mann
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Dave (Super) Mann, one of the most versatile players to ever wear the Toronto Argonauts uniform, has died. He was 79.
The two-time East Division all-star died early Tuesday morning from complications due to dementia, the CFL team said Wednesday in a release.
Mann, a native of Berkeley, Calif., played for the Argonauts in 1958 and from 1960-’70. He excelled as a punter and a kicker but also played receiver and defensive back.
He started his pro career in the NFL after playing college football at Oregon State University. Mann was drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Cardinals and spent three seasons there before moving to Canada.
Mann led the CFL in receiving in 1960 and 1961 and also led the league in punting in six seasons. He had a remarkable 44.2-yard punting average and his 102-yard punt on September 18, 1966 is still the second-longest in CFL history.
“With Dave being the superior athlete that he was, I felt comfortable putting him anywhere on the field,” said former Argos head coach Leo Cahill. “Very rarely does a player lead your team in punting average and receiving yards, but that was the kind of special player Dave was.”
Mann competed in 153 regular-season games and 13 playoff games for the Argonauts. He was named an East Division all-star in 1960 and 1961.
“I don’t think Dave Mann ever played a bad game,” said former Argo Nick Volpe, who serves as the team’s football operations consultant. “I watched him closely and he was one of the best all-around athletes I’ve ever seen.
“He maintained his love for the Argos even into retirement and was a regular on the sidelines at practice.”
Mann is survived by his five children. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
February 19, 2012: Funeral Monday for first ever CFL draft pick McNichol
via: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Funeral+Monday+first+ever+draft+pick+McNichol/6177759/story.html
By Ian Macdonald, Postmedia News February 19, 2012
MONTREAL — A funeral service is scheduled for Monday in Mississauga, Ont., for Canadian Football League Hall of Famer Doug McNichol, who died Thursday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 81.
McNichol was selected by the Montreal Alouettes with the No. 1 pick in the CFL’s first draft of Canadian players in 1953. The St. Catharines, Ont., native would became a cornerstone of the Montreal defence on an exciting and colourful team through the mid 1950s.
The Alouettes won three straight Eastern titles from 1954-56, before losing the Grey Cup each year to the Edmonton Eskimos. An all-star in football and basketball at the University of Western Ontario, McNichol signed a CFL contract with Hamilton while finishing his business-administration degree at Western. However, this was at a time when the CFL and the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union were working out an agreement on how to operate a draft of Canadian collegiate players.
“That made the contract I’d signed with Hamilton null and void,” McNichol explained years later. “Montreal drafted me.”
The six-foot-four, 240-pounder had arranged to work with Pittsburgh Glass in Hamilton. Fortunately, the company had an office in Montreal and had a job for him here.
The reason the Alouettes had the No. 1 pick in the 1953 draft was because they finished with a league-worst 2-10 record the previous season, which was Peahead Walker’s first year as head coach. Things improved quickly after that.
Walker had arranged to bring future Hall of Fame quarterback Sam Etcheverry in for the 1952 season, and along with McNichol the newcomers included Tom Hugo, Tex Coulter and Ray Poole. Alex Webster joined the Als midway through the season.
“Doug really hit hard,” Etcheverry, who died in 2009, once recalled. “He even hit hard in practice.”
When he was asked about that, McNichol chuckled and said:
“That’s right. You had to. The harder you hit the better (Walker) liked it. He didn’t care about style. He liked the loud noise on contact.”
That noise was heard in the National Football League.
On the word of Coulter, who played for years with the New York Giants, McNichol was flown to the Big Apple and offered an NFL contract. The Alouettes responded by offering him a $12,000 salary, which was decent in those days.
In 1960, Canadian Pittsburgh Industries wanted McNichol to take over as manager of its Toronto office and he asked Alouettes to trade him. McNichol and Billy Shipp were dealt to the Argonauts in exchange for Bobby Jack Oliver and Ron Brewer.
Montreal Gazette
imacdonald@montrealgazette.com
