1984: Martintown TOW, Clarence Cattanach, AK McIsaac, Ewen MacDonald, JT MacKenzie, Laura Ross

1984

1920s Martintown Tug-of-War Team

The famous Martintown Tug-of-War Team of the 1920’s won many a pull. They competed and conquered in tug-of-wars outside the county, and cherish two of these victories in particular. The first was the defeat of the most famous RCMP team of Ottawa; the second was the Eastern Canada Championship at the Ormstown Spring Fair in 1924, where they prevailed over the champion Montreal Police Team. The members of the famous team were: Steve McDonell, Callum MacDermid, Dan McDonell, Bert Urquhart, Ernie Mason, Sandy Fraser, Albert LaFlamme, Robert Ingram, Dan LaFlamme, Charles MacGregor, John McIntosh, Clifford MacDermid, Hugh MacDermid, Alistar Urquhart, and Robert Sterling. Carson Seguin, Dougal Campbell and Fred Coleman were alternates who often pulled with the team.

Clarence Cattanach

Clarence Alexander Cattanach was born in Williamstown, December, 23rd, 1885. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cattanach.

Clarence Cattanach as he was known throughout his life was one of Glengarry’s great lacrosse and hockey defencemen.

In World War I Clarence Cattanach enlisted as a private with the 154th Battalion. He was commissioned on the battle field in France to the rank of Lieutenant.

Clarence Cattanach was a postmaster in his Williamstown store in 1925. In 1946 the post office became a separate operation. He handled the mail for the village and neighbouring areas until retirement in 1959.

Alexander "A.K. MacIsaac" MacDonald

Athletes of the Scottish Games, and track and field, generally speaking, are in two separate classes. For instance, rarely does an athlete enter competition in both groups. However, in Glengarry at the turn of the century A.K. MacIsaac MacDonald filled the role of this unique type of athlete in Canada. Whether it was tossing the caber, pole vaulting or the 100-yard dash, A.K. was there to compete.

A.K. MacDonald was born in Loch Garry, May 24th, 1874. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward MacDonald. A.K.’s athletic career began in his Loch Garry public school. An era and area noted for developing hammer throwers, caber tossers and the “56”.

Maturing to manhood at the turn of the century he was winning medals and cups by defeating his older veteran competitors. Not only did he do so here in Glengarry, but he also ventured into other cities to compete.

Developing self confidence in his athletic prowess, A.K. MacIsaac was a familiar name as contestants were announced at field days and picnics in Cornwall, Ottawa, Upper Ottawa, Montreal M.A.A.A. and the famed Caledonia Games, Lachine.

A.K. MacDonald married Agnes Ann (Alex Roy) MacDonald. They became the parents of four girls and four boys.

Msgr. Ewen John Macdonald

Glengarry’s greatest historian in our time was born in a pioneer home, Lochiel lot 33, north side 9th Lancaster Township road. He was christened New Year’s Day 1884, in St. Finnan’s Church. His given name was Ewen John. A son of Mr. and Mrs. John Macdonald.

While attending elementary and high school in Alexandria, Ewen John Macdonald was rated among the leading students and athletes. In his maturing and grand seminary study years, he was one of Glengarry’s luminaries in lacrosse.

On December 10, 1910, Ewen John Macdonald was ordained to the priesthood. Five years later, 1915, Alexandria Bishop William Macdonell assigned Father Macdonald as padre of the 154th Battalion. As a result of his character and personality, regardless of faith, he became the beloved “Father Ewen” in army.

Returning to his priestly duties, Father Ewen always found time to fill the role of sportsman. He was the driving force that launched box lacrosse in Alexandria and founding of the Loch Garry game reserve.

The church hierarchy recognized Father Macdonald’s skilled leadership and he was elevated to the clerical status of Monsignor. He became Vicar-General of Alexandria Diocese. There was also prestigious recognition by the Pope who conferred on him the rank of Prothonotary Apostolic.

Pipe Major John Thomas Mackenzie

Pipe Major John Thomas MacKenzie is another rightfully classed as a Glengarrian by adoption. Pipie, as he is popularly known among his legions of friends, was born September 16th, 1920, as the son of Mr. and Mrs. William MacKenzie, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In his youthful student classes, apart from academics, he was prominent in athletics, especially boxing and soccer. He excelled in piping too, when he had time available.

He was advised to give up boxing and concentrate on the chanter and booting a soccer ball. He became a pro prospect with the British Army team and later joined the Scottish Nationals, Second Division.

A Pipe Major at just 15, this proved to be his vocation in life. Pipe Major J.T. MacKenzie can be justifiably rated among the great pipers of our time, from anywhere.

After serving in World War II and as a Pipe Major in various places concluding at Rockcliffe, Ottawa. Pipe Major MacKenzie and family moved to Maxville. His accomplishments as a teacher of pipe music during the past years are beyond our fondest dreams of reviving our heritage that was at an all time low. Add the same measurement of contribution to the progress of the Glengarry Highland Games now setting band attendance records of any Games in North America.

John Thomas MacKenzie married a Scottish lass in Edinburgh, Agnes Munro. They had a son Ian, and two daughters Marilyn and Janice. Sadly, Pipe Major John Thomas MacKenzie died in 2004.

Laura Ross

Another chapter of Glengarry’s illustrious sports history was recorded in 1984 by the induction of the first lady athlete in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. This honor was bestowed on Mrs. Hilmer Ross, the former Laura Lalonde.

In her youth Laura Lalonde had a fondness for skating, a passion inherited from her mother and grandfather. So much so that her uncle Hector Sauve gave her as a birthday – Christmas present a pair of new style automobile skates. She was on her way!

After graduating from business college Laura joined the Bell Telephone staff at Montreal. She promptly pursued her ambition to become a novice at the Montreal Figure Skating Club.

By hours and hours of dedicated practice this Alexandria girl, 10 years before Barbara Ann Scott, graduated to the prestigious class of Montreal and Quebec’s best lady figure skaters.

Laura Lalonde was now a medal winner in singles and doubles skating with club member Joe Ceisler. Laura Lalonde married Hilmer Ross, a Montreal owner and operator of a jewellery business. She had no children.