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The Huron Expositor, 1997-11-19, Page 5E E til E 13 117 13 13 13 117 11 13 117 13 13 13 O 13 0 13 13 0 11133 Q 11 13 ID tee mom seM1Tra. NOWISUlar ler 10.7.4 Conn Smythe left his mark on Toronto and hockey Constantine sounds Italian.. But his mother was English and his father came from Ireland. 11,121 they were married oiboat on their Ca way to n . His only sis- ter died at 12. His.mtt�oth . became a drunk and'bied at 38 when he was 11. His dad workedasa reporter and often his beat was the old Woodbine race- track. They lived modestly 40friit and moved many times from one place to another. hough short, Constantine Was wiry and could rough it up in sports. ky and tough a that he had guts a The war came on a gunner he fought with artillery in the bloody Somme River Battle in 1916 and a few months later at Vimy Ridge his igpurage took over and he4'hated a German position by himself with only a revolver. Still alone, he brought back a half dozen prisoners - and was awarded the Military Cross. He learned to fly and switched to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1917. He flew over German tines spotting targets for the artillery until October...when he caught a burst from a machine gun and crashed. He sat out the war in a P.O.W. camp. Back home in 1919 he took engineering at the University of Toronto and went into business...but he stilt loved sports, especially hockey. And he pursued it with tenac- ity and skill. He had a dream that came true on the night of November 12, 1931. The combined bands of the Royal Grenadiers and the 48th Highlanders played "Happy Days Are Here Again." Over 13,000 people turned out to be amazed and thrilled at the sight of Constantine Smythe's new sports arena - some arrived in evening clothes...and the lbronto Maple Leafs played their first game in their own Gardens against Chicago. It was built in an unbeliev- able 155 days in the midst df the Depression partly because he offered the workmen stock in the Gardens as part pay- ment of their wages. The fact that he war able to build it at all was because they took stock instead of cash...and a former Seaforth banker, Sir John Aird, president of the Commerce, came up with the rest. The lbronto local of the Ontario Bricklayers' Union are still holding the shares they received in 1931. He ran the Gardens and the team for three decades. For years it was the finest and most popular hockey arena in the National Hockey League. It attracted and kept and a large assemblage of loyal and devoted ticket buying fans... with tens of thousands more glued to radios listening to the legendary Foster Hewitt, and Wes McKnight, CFRB's famous sportscaster. In later years we both heard and watched as Jack Dennett and Ward Cornell called the plays on TV. There was a level of alle- giance not often found in other sports or sport pares - and it was not reserved just for Central Canadians. Maritimers who moved to Toronto were known to have gone directly to the Gardens from Union Station to get their name on the waiting list for season tickets...even before they found a place to live. In the mid -80s Trent Frayne wrote, "Conn Smythe was a bombastic, romantic, bigoted, inventive, intimidating, terri- ble tempered paradox of out- landish proportions." Indeed he was all that...and was a con man as well - not unlike Robin Hood. He conned gov- ernments and the rich out of money to help causes he believed in, like crippled children and the deaf. He and the Reverend Bob Rumba') raised the dollars needed to buy the land and build the mission for the deaf on Bayview. In fact the day Mr. Davis agreed to support the venture I saw the humourous side of Connie Smythe. As he thanked the premier he turned to leave and said, 1 "Bill, something happened yesterday that shook my faith and made me angry and sad." I was holding the door and as he walked towards me he continued. "I discovered that the Lord is fixing races." "1 don't understand what you mean, Connie," answered the premier. "Well, 1 had a horse running yester- day at Woodbine and there is no way that nag could win And are afraid of me." But 1'11 call you Wes, for I'll never remember your fiat name." From then until he died in 1980...1 was "Wee" He did fight in two were- although an...althou h close to 50 and con- sidered too old "Major" Smythe took his battery to France in 1942 and within a month was severely wounded and shipped back to England, paralyzed from the waist down. He tried to extinguish a fire started by a German plane in a truck loaded with ammunition. It threatened to blow up battery headquar- ters...and it did - and explod- ing metal cut deep into his back. Going to war was a gamble for although he built the Gardens and almost single- handedly made the Maple Leaf hockey team, and twice won the Stanley Cup, he was still only an employee - not the owner. Ed Sickle and other shareholders were said to be upset with his pushy, almost arrogant style and wouldn't be unhappy if he didn't return from the war...or a palace coup ousted him... But he did come back, and the '30s and '40s...and the Palace Rink. The old wooden arena with natural ice where the Seaforth Beavers battled with the Clinton Colts. He knew that small town Intermediate "B" hockey Woo rough. He laughed when 1 told him what manager Lorne Dale said about the Seaforth fans back then. "If they don't see blood on the ice, they want their damn money back." He knew "Chic" Apple, sppoor�t1.e editor of the Stratford Beacon Herald - and he knew he was an OHA referee...but he didn't know that after a close game with the Goderich Sailors where his calls came into question he had to be escorted out of the side door of the rink by the police and spirited away from angry fans in an OPP car. Connie laughed and said, "Some of my most creative cursing was reserved for near sighted ref- erees." We talked about Cooney Weiland who came home to Seaforth in the summer to see his mother. He lived 200 yards from the Egmondville river where he first learned to "Conn Smythe was a bombastic, romantic, bigoted, inventive, intimidating, terrible tempered paradox of outlandish proportions" without help from the Lord. i didn't have a dime bet on him and the son -of -a -bitch paid 60 to 1." His love of horse racing probably started when he was a boy, going to the track with his father who worked for the Toronto World, in an odd way the track played a significant part in the life of both the hockey team and the life of Connie Smythe. He wanted and needed King Clancy for the Leafs but he didn't have the money to buy him from Ottawa. it was all or nothing. He placed a big wager on his horse Rare Jewel running at old Woodbine and it won. With the winner's twrae.plus managed the team to five more Stanley Cups before leaving in 1961. He walked with a jaunty gait, and was dapper and wore spats, as my father did in the 1920s and '30s. In fact the spats are noticeable in the official group pictures of the team with the owners and staff. In the early 1970s he would call my office and say some- thing like, "Wes...what kind of humour is the premier in? Do you think we could get some land out of him today?" Connie and Bob Rumble were looking for land in Metro'Jbronto on which to build a modern institution the money from his bet he where deaf men and women had the335,000'It4 ittedeef a ' • totfld•bettotned. • • • • and King Clancy became "a "A stroke of the pen" was Maple Leaf for ever." his favourite line with Davis. Connie didn't know that Rare Jewel romped home loaded with firewater. There was no saliva or urine test so track officials never discov- ered that just before the race the trainer poured a bottle of choice brandy down her throat...She liked it - and it sure made her run. "You're the big boss here, Bill." He would say..."You can do anything - it just takes a stroke of the pen." I enjoyed talking to him. In recalling the past he had colourful ways of expressing himself about those he truly liked...and those he still hated. At one end of the scale "I fought in two bloody wars to protect my rights and no damn government bureaucrat is going to tell me what to do." I often wonder how the his- tory of the Maple Leafs would read today if there was never a Clancy. He was devoted to the game and loyal to his mentor...even though as a coach he was at times subjected to language and conditions that today could not be shut off. Sometimes exasperated with orders during a game the . major's voice could be heard coming from deep down in Clancy's pocket...Smythe remedied that by attaching wires that would give Clancy a shock when it was urgent that he listen. I first met Connie in Caledon where his sand and gravel pits were located - and he threatened to throw me out of his office. His gravel trucks were speeding through the main street of the village of Caledon East and residents complained to their MPP, who happened to be my boss, the Minister of Education. The suggestion that if he paid his drivers by the hour rather than by the Toad they might be less careless did not go over well..."i fought in two bloody wars to protect my rights and no damn govern- ment bureaucrat is going to tell me what to do." Then he offered me a cup of coffee and asked my name. 1 had introduced myself as Clare Westcort when i first met him but 1 repeated it again. He laughed and said, "i like you, for it took guts to come out here and talk to me the way you did...for most people think I'm a tough son -of -a -hitch. was his favourite, Teeder Kennedy. At the other end was poor old Busher Jackson. Jackson's great record on the ice was simply written off and forgotten because of his trouble with booze. In spite of his fame as part of the famous "Kid Line," leading the Leafs to three NHL titles, name to five All Star teams, and the top scorer in 1933, his entry to the Hall of Fame had to wait until 1961 when Connie was gone from the Maple Leaf organization and couldn't block it. He seemed to enjoy my talking about the Seaforth of skate. in the '30s 1 caddied for him at the old Seaforth Golf Course. i asked Connie if he ever tried to get him for the Leafs. "I took the train to Chicago to see him play before he became the Bruins coach. I offered him $3,000 a year." He said, "the son -of -a - bitch wanted 53,100 so I told him to go to hell." In 1971 Jack Dennett and I accompa- nied Cooney to the ceremony whew he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. I called the house a couple times when he was ill and �i�oG0oG0o000o00❑ Huron County's Complete al VEHICLE g RENTAL Ea Headquarters 0 0 Small & Mid-sized Cars 0 Passenger & Cargo Vans, Pickup Trucks al0 Daily, Weekly, Monthly al 0 Insurance Rentals & More 'Free Delivery CAR & TRUCK RENTALS Division of Suncoast Ford 500 Huron Rd., Goderich CML COiLECT Ask for Helen 524-8347 Susan Carter Financial Consultant — 406 Wallace Ave., N. RS Listowel, ON N4W 1L3 I -TD• Bus. (519) 291-1353 Res. (519) 347-2569 "Becsrusa were INDEPENDENT' Do you know the simple formula for financial success? Can you purchase your home for less out-of-pocket money than you have already committed to paying through your mortgage? These and many other questions will be answered by attending a FREE financial planning seminar. Paul Rockel, a pioneer In the financial services Industry and author of 'Why I Invest In Mutual Funds", will be speaking at the Walton Hall, Tuesday, December 2, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost and no obligation. There will be draws for door prizes and refreshments will be provided. CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR SEAT 1-800-291-1353 or 519-347-2569 spoke to his housekeeper... and asked if i might come and chat with him. l went up on a wet November day and was almost sorry I did - for he was on a low narrow bed, , almost like a couch, in a. room that looked like it was a large kitch,n. He looked like the pictures of the survivors at Dachau. He said, "Hello Wes," in a faint whisper. The nurse answered a knock on the door and came back with a largo bouquet of flowers..."Mr. Smythe, these are for you from Mr. Ballard." With that he said, "Get Harold on the phone." He wasn't able to move his arms and his face was thin and drawn. The nurse got Ballard on the phone and laid the cradle of the phone on his face, and held it so he could talk. Gathering up enough strength to speak he said, "Harold, get that no good Imlach son -of -a -bitch off the bench." Then he shut his eyes and the nurse lifted the phone and hung it up. He didn't say goodbye or thank Harold for the flowers. i said goodbye and left...but I dont think he heard me. I never did see him again...He died a few days later. But you never know for sure...like Elvis he may be back, for Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe, like his father, believed in rein- carnation. Frances Melady celebrates birthday Happy birthday to a very special Dublin man Don MacRae, who celebrated Nov. 17. Happy birthday to a very special Seaforth man, Jim Kelly, who celebrates Nov. 22. An enjoyable 80th birthday celebration was held at St. Patrick's Church Hall last Sunday for a very special St. Cclumban lady, Frances Melady. Many relatives and neighbours & friends attend- SasHaeflingf Dublin by Dorothy Dillon' 345-2842 ed to wish "Happy Birthday"! Happy 40th birthday to Cathy Meagher who also cel- ebrated recently. Happy 45th anniversary to Eric & Marjorie Anderson who celebrated Nov.8. Bu Heeding, C.A.. P. Ag. Associate: Barry Boyd Providing a full range of accounting, computer, tax, and financial consulting services to meet the needs of Business and Farmers Ph: 348.8412 - it Victoria St.. Mitchell -- Fax: 348-4300 Please Join us for our Conte and browse through our shop. Make this festive season distincdy different with a special selection in a gift basket. Warming beverages, spicy treats, delectable hand -dipped chocolates and enticing aromas from the kitchen, bring out the traditional and nostalgic tendencies in everyone. Taste Buds is filled to the brim with a wide array of food products and gifts for your holiday entertaining. Be sure to take time and join us at our "Open House". Cathy & Wendy Cathy & Wendy (directly across from Huronview Hwy. 14, South of Clinton 482-1232 St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 Service of MORNING PRAYER 9:30 AM First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seaforth 11:15 AM Anniversary Service: Prsaohsr: Dr. Time iy Moria Nov. 22 Sat. 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's Clinton: Faith • Juslice: Third word - First World Bethel Bible Church Meeting at Seatotth High 9:46 a.m. S.S. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 Worship Evening Bible Study Small Group meetings Weekly An Associated Gospel Church CAVAN UNITED CHURCH 9:30 AM Winthrop NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 11 AM Saforth Sunday School during Church Service Seaforth Community Church (meeting at Bethel Bible Church 48 Water St. Egmondville) Sun.11 AM Praise & Worship Thurs. 7:30 P.M. (at 146 Jarvis S. Res.) a church aritka pence osta! message. r St. James Catholic Church Victoria St., Seaforth SUNDAY MASS 11:00 A.M. 1 Father Dino Salvador