Ellen Burka

As a former resident of Etobicoke, Ellen Burka was a principal force in establishing the Lakeshore Lions Arena Figure Skating Club during the 1950s and 1960s.

She is regarded as one of the finest skating coaches to ever lace up a pair of skates. In 1973, Ellen Burka was the first Canadian figure skating coach to participate in an exchange with the Soviet Union.

One of her truly great highlights came in 1965 when her daughter, Pietra Burka, won the world title. Also added to her credit are national champions Toller Cranston, Karen Magnussen and Sandra and Val Bezic.

Ellen was awarded the Order of Canada in 1978. Today, she continues to teach and coach young figure skating hopefuls at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

Hans Fogh

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Hans Fogh was a member of the Canadian National Sailing Team for more than twenty years.

Hans is a two time medal winner, capturing silver at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles games. This 24 year gap stands as the record for the longest time span between two Olympic medal wins.

Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and Canada’s Amateur Hall of Fame in 1986, Hans continues to be an avid sailor and now enjoys the sport with his sons. In preparation for the 1996 Olympics, Hans placed second in trials. He also placed second in Cannes that year in the French Championships.

Lucille Gamble

As a long time volunteer with the Lakeshore Swim Club, Lucille Gamble continues to give back to the community, which has watched her become one of the area’s most decorated long distance swimmers.

Lucille’s involvement with swimming began in 1930 under the guidance of Gus Ryder. During her six years as a competitive swimmer she participated successfully in several long distance swims.

Her accomplishments have been recognized on the local, provincial and federal levels.

Some of the awards include the Mayor Jackson Trophy for three consecutive wins in competitive long distance swims, the 1981 Province of Ontario Certificate of Recognition for her contributions to swimming, a 1988 Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada and a 1992 Volunteer of the Year award for the City of Etobicoke.

Barbara Berezowski-Ivan

Barbara Berezowski-Ivan, along with her skating dance partner David Porter held impressive records as members ofthe Canadian World Team from 1973 to 1976. Together they were Canadian Ice Dance Champions in 1975 and 1976 and World Professional Ice Dance Champions in 1977.

Coached by Marijane Stong, they impressed crowds all over the world with their elegant and graceful skating style and were wonderful Ambassadors of Canada. During that period, Barbara was honored three consecutive times with the title “Miss Charm on Ice” in both Germany and Russia.

Barbara also won the titles Miss Toronto in 1975-76, Runner-up to Miss Canada in 1976 and Miss Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria that same year.

They began their professional career in 1976 and starred in Toller Cranston’s “The Ice Show”, Shipstad and Johnson’s “Ice Follies” and were featured in “Stars on Ice” in Seoul, South Korea.

Of all her accomplishments, one of Barbara’s most gratifying was being part of the team that created the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in her role as Chair of the Founding Board of Governors.

Recently, Barbara and David thrilled audiences again by performing their signature piece “The Lord’s Prayer” at the Air Canada Centre’s Legendary Night of Figure Skating.

Loreen Passfield

At the age of nine, Loreen Passfield realized that marathon swimming was her calling after competing in the “Cross Couchiching,” a three-mile amateur swim race where she finished 18th out of 23.

In 1975, while swimming with the Lakeshore Swim Club, Loreen set a new record for the four-mile distance from Port Carling to Windermere, Ontario.

At the Lac St Jean World Championship, she finished 16th in a twenty-five-mile race, becoming the first Canadian and only the third woman to finish the course, earning her the meet’s Swimmer of the Year award.

For five years, between 1975 and 1979, Loreen was ranked in the top five by the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation. She won two back-to-back number one rankings in 1975 and 1979. Loreen became president of the Federation in 1980.

In 1977, Loreen was included with only five others on the final ballot for the Lou Marsh Award, given to Canada’s Athlete of the Year.

She was also selected as Outstanding Newcomer to Marathon Swimming in 1975. That same year, she also received the Faustina Trophy as Lakeshore Athlete of the year.

Glenn Michibata

At an early age Glenn Michibata won the Canadian Nationals Junior Under 12, and Junior Under 18 twice. He was the first Canadian in the junior ranks to reach quarter finals of Junior Wimbledon and paved the way for Canadian junior players coming up the ranks.

Overall he was ranked in the top ten from 1980 to 1991 and represented Canada in the Davis Cup many times.

Glenn burst onto the professional tennis scene in 1983 and during 1983 and 1984 he was the first Canadian to reach the Singles ranking in the top fifty.

Glenn, along with his Canadian doubles partner Grant Connell, ruled the tennis world in doubles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Achieving excellent results in Grand Slam tournaments such as Australian, Wimbledon and the US Open. Together, they won the bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and in 1993 were ranked first in the world for a period of time.

Recently, Glenn was inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame and has coached at a university in California.

Hilda Young

At the age of fourteen, Hilda Cameron began training with fire chief Alf Taylor, who took an interest in Hilda’s apparent athletic ability.

Within a short time, her talent took flight and in 1927 she won the high jump and was second in the sprint at the special events for juniors at the Canadian Championships.

After being denied a trip to the 1928 Olympic games because of age restrictions Hilda began to concentrate on a career as a teacher. She became one in 1932 and taught until her retirement in 1973.

While still competing in 1934 at the Canadian Trials for Canada’s British Empire Games Team she won the gold for the 220 yard sprint and won gold as a member of the winning relay team.

Hilda also competed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics where she captured a bronze medal in the relay. After the games Hilda was presented with a trophy as Ontario’s outstanding female athlete.

She has also been honored by the Council for the City of York as a 1936 medal winner and as a dedicated teacher.

John O’Flaherty a.k.a. “Peanuts”

Born April 10, 1918, in Toronto at St. Michael’s Hospital, “Peanuts” met his wife to be, Kay in grade 8 and married her in 1940. They have nine children and have been residents of Etobicoke continuously since 1943.

Peanuts playing, coaching, managing and scouting career took him across Canada and several cities in the U.S. in a span of five decades.

In 1934, and 1936 as a player and still a teenager Peanuts “won it all” with an O.H.A “Jr. B” Championship with St. Michael’s Buzzers, and a Memorial Cup Championship with West Toronto, respectively.

In 1951 he concluded one of the greatest seasons that any player/coach could conceive of having. Both playing and coaching he led St. Michael’s to the O.H.A “Senior A” Championship while concurrently serving as the coach of the St. Michael’s “Jr. A” team!

In 1937, he led the Senior O.H.A. in scoring with the Toronto Dominions and followed that up with another scoring title the following year with the Toronto Marlboro’s of the O.H.A. “Jr. A” league. Peanuts led the Senior League in scoring one year earlier than he led the Junior League.

Barbara Underhill & Paul Martini

Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini, renowned as one of the most formidable pairs in Canadian figure skating history, captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with their remarkable talent, dedication, and resilience.

Both Martini and Underhill were drawn to the ice from a young age, with Martini’s early years spent mastering both hockey and figure skating in Woodbridge, while Underhill discovered her passion for figure skating in Pembroke, Ontario. Despite facing initial challenges and skepticism, their unwavering commitment to their craft propelled them towards success.

Their partnership, which began in 1977, proved to be a winning combination from the start. Despite initial doubts and differences, their on-ice chemistry was undeniable, leading to rapid success at the junior and senior levels. Their synchronized movements, technical prowess, and innovative routines set them apart in the competitive world of pairs figure skating.

Martini and Underhill’s journey to the pinnacle of their sport was not without its challenges. They faced setbacks and disappointments, including a disappointing performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. However, it was their resilience and determination that ultimately defined their legacy.

Their crowning achievement came at the 1984 World Championships in Ottawa, where they electrified the crowd with a flawless performance, clinching the gold medal and etching their names in Canadian sports history. This triumphant moment was the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work.

Following their competitive careers, Martini and Underhill continued to contribute to the world of figure skating in various capacities. Martini found success as a coach and commentator, while Underhill transitioned into coaching and mentoring young athletes, including NHL players, with her innovative techniques and expertise.

Their reunion for the television show Battle of the Blades reignited their passion for performing and reminded fans of their enduring legacy in Canadian figure skating. Their partnership, both on and off the ice, exemplifies the power of collaboration, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.

Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, showcasing the transformative power of dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s passion. Their impact on the world of figure skating and Canadian sports culture is a testament to their enduring legacy as true champions.

Danny Lewicki

A nine-year veteran of the National Hockey League, Lewicki is a winner of the Stanley Cup, Allan Cup, and Memorial Cup. He pulled off hockey’s “Triple Crown” while still a junior-aged player between the years of 1948 and 1951. Lewicki is the only player in hockey history to achieve such a feat.

In 1948, he was on the Memorial Cup-winning Port Arthur Bruins and led his team in scoring throughout the playdowns, and even notched the winning goal in overtime of the championship game against the Barrie Flyers in Maple Leaf Gardens.

As a member of the senior league Toronto Marlboroughs, Lewicki was the leading scorer for the playdowns as the team won the Allan Cup in 1950. The next year, 1951, Lewicki was a member of the Stanley Cup Champion Toronto Maple Leafs.

Born in Fort William, Ontario in 1931, Lewicki played most of his minor and junior hockey near his hometown before joining the senior Toronto Marlboroughs.

In the NHL, he played four seasons with the Leafs, four with the New York Rangers and one with the Chicago Blackhawks. In the 1954 season, he scored 29 goals with the Rangers and was named to the NHL All-Star team as a left-winger. He was also second in the voting for the Lady Byng Trophy that season. During his 457 NHL game career, Lewicki recorded 115 goals and 153 assists.

Lewicki lived in Etobicoke for 10 years and was very involved with sports in the community at that time. He was the first coach of the Etobicoke Indians Junior B team in the 1960s which included such players as Ken Dryden.

Lewicki continued his coaching career with the Hamilton Junior A Red Wings of the Ontario Hockey Association. He then went on to a business career while becoming involved with a number of charities including the “Emmy” gold tournament for research into myelin disease.