Congratulations to Bruce Boyd, who recently won the ESHOF 50/50 Raffle on November 2, 2023.
Bruce won the 50/50 pot of $3,060.00 and immediately donated it back to our Student and Scholarship Program.
“Maybe this will inspire the students I taught to do the same … give back to the kids and their community,” Bruce said when he learned he was the 50/50 winner.
Thank you Bruce for your kindness and generosity and many years of giving back to the Etobicoke community and having an immeasurable impact on young people’s lives.
Bruce happens to be a 2018 ESHOF Inductee – Builder Category. Here’s a link to Bruce’s inductee biography.
Paul Suggate is not only an outstanding athlete with many accomplishments, he is also an active member of the Etobicoke community for many years, coaching children as well as Jr A and B lacrosse. Although Paul was born in England, he moved to Alderwood when he was two years old and is still an Etobicoke resident.
Suggate is known to be one of the best lacrosse players of his time, breaking all records for scoring. He is also a Minto Cup Champion (1970) and recognized as a key winning team member.
Some of Suggate’s accomplishments include: being the 2005 Ontario Major Lacrosse Coach of the Year, getting inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1993, earning MVP honours and being the leading scorer in the National Lacrosse League in 1974 & 1975 and being the Mann Cup Champion in 1971, to name a few.
Paul Suggate has been a very successful athlete and has significantly impacted developing lacrosse into what it is today. He is known as an exceptional athlete for being a team player and giving the utmost respect to those he played against. He is well respected in the lacrosse community as one of the best players ever to hit the floor!
Bill Miller was very proud of his Etobicoke roots.
His dedication and passion for the sport of slo-pitch has been enjoyed across Canada by slo-pitch players, young and old.
Bill had a simple vision, to create a Canadian Slo-Pitch organization that allowed the worst to be the best for a moment in time. He co-founded the Centennial Slo-Pitch of Etobicoke in 1975 with twenty teams, and the league still exists today with 110 teams and will carry on honouring his legacy.
Miller worked passionately organizing the sport of slo-pitch, beginning with a local Etobicoke league of twenty teams and growing into 12,000 teams Canada-wide. His efforts also included writing a National Rulebook and developing a National Officiating Program.
His significant achievements go hand in glove with his personal characteristics and values. His major contribution was to provide the opportunity for anyone to play the sport of softball. To accomplish that goal, Bill used his marketing expertise to create a desire to enjoy the sportsmanship, camaraderie and healthy exercise that are hallmarks of the sport. That accomplishment spread from Etobicoke to Ontario to Canada and Internationally.
Bill’s values reflected a simple premise; everyone should be able to enjoy the sport – as long as they followed the rules and were good sportsmen and sportswomen. He could be tough when necessary but more often quieted the conflict with humour. He understood that authentic leadership required vision for the future, willingness to take risks, and empathy and understanding of those he served.
Bill Miller | 1950 – 2020
The original Town of Mimico, whose name comes from the Ojibwa word meaning “home of the wild pigeon”, was a popular summer vacation destination close to Lake Ontario and its westerly beaches. Originally settled as a farming community, it quickly developed into a hub of activity for new industry; and the ever-expanding railway and heavy manufacturing. Like Toronto, Mimico experienced steady growth during this time, and residents began to settle in the area to work in the local factories, where they were within a short commute to the downtown core.
In those days, you worked for the Railway, Goodyear, Campbell’s Soup or Anaconda Brass.
While the township developed into a bustling suburb of Toronto, the Mimico Lacrosse Club started to churn out some great lacrosse players, builders and teams. Field Lacrosse was played in the early years on pitches bordering Wesley and Portland Streets and at Memorial Park on Hillside Avenue.
In 1931, when the Canadian Lacrosse Association chose the Box game as its new form of play, the Mimico Lacrosse Club built an outdoor box at the corner of Church Street (Royal York) and Drummond Street, where the game has been played continuously until today. It was known across the province as the “Drummond Street Bowl,” which included a dirt floor and old railway boxcars for dressing rooms. Outdoor games at night in front of thousands were the norm for our sport in the golden age. The roar of the crowd and the announcer’s call of the game could be heard all over town.
The Mountaineers brought recognition to the town more than any other sports team, with Mann Cup wins in 1932 and 1942 and Eastern Canadian Senior titles in 1943 and 1947. In WWII, Conn Smythe’s 30th Light Anti-aircraft Battery, dubbed “The Sportsmen’s Battery,” included every member of the Mimico Mountaineers who won the 1942 Mann Cup.
Minto Cup victories were recorded in 1938 and 1951, with Eastern Canadian supremacy logged in 1941 and 1946. Mimico minor lacrosse teams also shared in the success of the Junior and Senior teams, with provincial titles earned as well.
At one point in time, the Southern Etobicoke area boasted thriving lacrosse associations in Mimico, Long Branch and Alderwood, all within minutes of each other. The 1970 Lakeshore Maple Leafs and their Minto Cup win was a combined team from these associations.
Participation in lacrosse dwindled in the late 1970s and 1980s. The Junior A Mountaineers’ last season was in 1978. A short list of dedicated volunteers kept the club afloat, putting in long hours at the arena with various fundraising activities, and driving kids to games and tournaments, keeping the pride and history of Mimico Lacrosse alive.
With the advent of professional box lacrosse, there seemed to be a renewed interest in the game, and membership was on the rise. In 1993, the Mimico Jr. B Mountaineers returned to the ranks of junior competition when a group of former players decided it was time for the players to stay home to play the game. The new team embraced the history of Mimico Lacrosse, honoured past greats from the club, and broadcasted home games on Rogers Cable. Interest in this new team and the sport of lacrosse in the community continued to grow.
Mimico Lacrosse continues to enjoy much success as one of the most significant associations in Ontario with a local box lacrosse league, rep box and field teams at each age division, a thriving women’s field lacrosse program, as well as teams in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (Junior A) and Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League (Junior B) and Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL).
Today, Mimico Lacrosse owes so much to those who came before and laid the foundation for 125 years of memories. There are so many great players, coaches, volunteers and builders of the game from our community, who contributed at the provincial and national level, and each has their own story. Some of these greats have been recognized with inclusion in the Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Halls of Fame. We appreciate their contribution, and we hope that we honour them with the Mimico Lacrosse Club as it stands today.
Since 1890, Mimico Lacrosse has provided a fun, safe and inclusive lacrosse program that is open to players of all ages and skill levels.
Mimico Lacrosse is the oldest and largest lacrosse club in the City of Toronto. With a wide range of programs for both boys and girls, we are proud to offer a comprehensive experience for kids to learn and play Canada’s national sport in the nation’s largest city.
As the GM/Executive VP, Women’s High-Performance at Canada Basketball, Denise Dignard has helped lead the senior women’s team to an all-time high ranking of fourth in the world.
A gold medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games and, a seventh-place finish at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, two gold medals at the championship of the Americas (2015, 2017) are just some of the highlights. The U16, U17, U18, and U19 women’s teams have also celebrated historic results under Dignard’s leadership.
As a previous player in high school, university, national and professional teams, Denise understands the commitment and dedication required by National program athletes. She has been a role model for many young woman athletes while working and training in Etobicoke since 1998 and growing Canadian women’s basketball taking it to the international stage.
As a tribute to Dignard’s impactful career, a new recreation centre in her hometown of Port Cartier, Quebec, has been named in her honour.
Glen Johnson has retired from a successful career in software development and presently works for the Canadian Premier League of Soccer as their executive VP.
He spends quality time with his family and yet takes the initiative to improve sports in this country at every opportunity, through professional amateur and volunteer actions, by sharing his time and expertise.
Glen began umpiring baseball in the Red River Valley Sports League in Manitoba at the age of 12. His 24-year umpiring career culminated as Canada’s baseball umpire at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. Concurrently, at the age of 18, he started officiating football, including 24 seasons in the Canadian Football League. Beyond Glen’s exemplary on-field career, he has held an amazing number of volunteer positions nationally and internationally as a builder of officiating and sport overall in Canada., and has been inducted in both the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame (2017) and Manitoba Football Hall of Fame (2020). He has also been nominated to both the Canadian Football and Baseball Halls of Fame.
Glen recently retired from coaching elite baseball at the Etobicoke Rangers organization for seven years at the 2005 age group, with teams winning four Toronto Baseball Association AAA Championships, double-digit tournament wins in multiple provinces, and Ontario Baseball Association finalists. He was a volunteer leader for the Challenger Baseball Program in Etobicoke, ON, in 2018 & 2019. He was also a dedicated coach for minor hockey with both the Humber Valley and West Mall organizations for over ten years.
It comes with a very heavy heart to announce the passing of Dennis Moir.
Dennis has been a Governor of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame since 2006. He was an integral part of the Hall’s success and contributed significantly in many ways, with his Board experience, business acumen, selling tickets and by supplying the live and silent auctions with numerous items for several years. But, most recently, Dennis was Chair of the Induction Dinner for the past ten years. His leadership for the largest and most purposeful event held by the Hall was none other than superlative.
Dennis was a true gentleman. Kind and gracious. Caring and Loving. Committed and dedicated.
The loss for the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame is immeasurable.
The loss of our friend is devastating and heartbreaking.
We extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Marina, whom he loved deeply and to his sons Cameron and Thomas, whom he adored and was so proud of everyday.
Dennis, you will be greatly missed. May you rest in Peace.
The Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame family is deeply saddened with the news of Johnny’s passing. We have lost a very dear friend.
We are so proud and honoured that Johnny was the very first person inducted into our Hall in 1994. He was an amazing human being and I am truly blessed to have spent so much time with him. Johnny was a perfect role model for any professional hockey player or professional athlete. He appreciated everything he had and was always gracious. He will never be forgotten and always be #1 in so many hearts.
May he “Rest in Peace” says Joanne Noble, President and Chair of the Board of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.
ESHOF Chair of the Board Joanne Noble and 2016 Special Olympics Scholarship Recipient Peter Flagler
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT PETER FLAGLER CONTINUES TO SCORE
ETOBICOKE, ON: 2016 Etobicoke Sports Hall Of Fame (ESHOF) Special Olympics Scholarship recipient Peter Flagler has taken his sporting experience to another level, as he has joined the Toronto Marlies organization as a member of their equipment staff. In addition to this spot “among the pros”, Peter will be a Special Olympics Ambassador for the ESHOF, and will attend events and speak on behalf of the Special Olympics and share his experiences.
Peter is 21 years old and is a member of the Etobicoke Stingers Special Olympics Basketball Team for the past 10 years. The team practices weekly and attends four tournaments across the GTA yearly. Peter also downhill skis, swims and plays baseball with Special Olympics and his summers are spent working at Islington Golf Course.
He has lived in Etobicoke all his life, attending Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School and presently attends Michael Power/St. Joseph Secondary School.
Peter is a member of the Power Swim Team and he has swum at OFSSA for the past 3 years, where he has won a gold (50m back) and two bronze (50m free and 50m back) medals in Para-swimming events. Peter also helps manage the Power Football Team and has been a part of the school’s Leadership Program.
Along with fulfilling his life dream of working with the Toronto Marlies Hockey Team as a member of their equipment staff he was recently featured in a Leafs TV video—“20 Questions with Kyle Dubas and Peter Flagler”.
“Pete is an amazing guy” said Joanne Noble, Chair of the Board of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame. “We are so thrilled that he will join us in sharing his experiences as an elite athlete and speaking about our initiatives which foster sport and student-athletes in Etobicoke. Our organization is very proud to be able to support not only the high school and college Student Scholarship Program, but also the Special Olympics athletes in the Etobicoke community. We have never had an Ambassador as such and are very excited to have Pete join our ESHOF team.”
For more information, contact:
Joanne Noble
Chair – Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame
jnoble49@rogers.com
etobicokesports.ca
Founding Member Bob Bendera passes away on Monday January 9, 2017
ROBERT (BOB) BENDERA March 24, 1941 – January 9, 2017 Passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:10 a.m. in the presence of his family. Bob, in his 76th year, was a devoted husband to Rosemary, beloved father to Lisa (Saverio), Trena (Gino), Roberta (Frank) and Darris and wonderful grandfather to Nadine, Matthew, Madeline, Anthony, Evelyn, Michael, Lily and Marissa. Bob was born on March 24, 1941 in rural Windsor to Walter and Mary Bendera (both predeceased). He was raised as the youngest of three children and was “baby brother” to his sisters Beatrice (predeceased) and Betty Lou. His love of sports was instilled in him from a young age. In 1965 he married the love of his life, Rosemary, and together they raised their four children in Etobicoke. A dream turned into a reality when Bob opened the doors to his business “Centennial Cycle and Sports” in 1966, which grew into one of the most successful sporting goods stores in the city. Anyone and everyone who played sports in Etobicoke knew “Bicycle Bob.” He shared his lifelong passion of sports with his family and friends, was a respected and much loved member of the community and left a lasting, positive impression on everyone he met. As a result of his commitment and impact, Bob was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 as a Community Builder. Bob will be remembered as the life of the party, the guy who loved to sing and dance to the oldies and someone you could always count on for support. He was strong, brave and lived life to the fullest and he loved his family more than anything in the world. Bob played any and every sport and excelled at it, especially hockey, baseball and (sometimes!) golf. He was Gigi to his eight grandchildren and they were his pride and joy. He was our Bob, our dad, our Gigi, our hero and, while we will miss him every single day, we know he will watch over us always. A visitation will be held at Meadowvale Funeral Centre (7732 Mavis Road, Brampton) on Friday, January 13th from 2 to 5 and from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Marguerite d’Youville Parish (2490 Sandalwood Parkway E., Brampton) on Saturday, January 14th at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Special thanks to the staff at Extendicare Brampton for their care and devotion to Bob over the last four years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Tire Jumpstart in Bob’s memory. Online condolences can be made at www.mountpleasantgroup.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=robert-bendera-bob&pid=183571735#sthash.3tj3LUQ3.CYM1zuiw.dpuf
“Bob was a Founding Member of the Hall and was well known in the sports community. He coached and sponsored many teams as well as provided our community with all the sports equipment and jerseys ever needed through his business Centennial Cycle and Sports. He was a great man who will be dearly missed by many and it’s only fitting that he was inducted in our Hall in 2012 in the Builder category for the huge impact he had on the Etobicoke sports community.” says Joanne Noble, Chair of the Board of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.