2019
Tina Cairncross | Hugh Michael MacDonald | Cambpell "Geeses" MacGillivray | Cathy Maclean | Kent McDonell
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Tina CairncrossTina Cairncross is a retired educator and a woman greatly involved in her community.
Tina grew up in Ottawa and attended Carleton University where she co-captained the Carleton Ravens’ varsity volleyball team. She chaired the university’s Women’s Athletic Board and experienced first-hand how strong collaboration and visionary goals could produce positive opportunities for women in sport. In 1970, she enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and joined the varsity volleyball team. Tina played on this team in the Women’s Open National Volleyball Championship, representing the province of Saskatchewan. She returned east in 1971 to complete her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University in Kingston. In 1971, Tina was hired by the former Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Board of Education to teach Physical and Health Education and English at Glengarry District High School. Here began a rewarding career where her years of dedication, innovation and commitment as a phys-ed teacher and coach would inspire her students to continue to lead active lifestyles well beyond the gym and the classroom. During this time, Tina coached track and field, cross country and volleyball. Volleyball was Tina’s passion and she coached the senior girls’ teams for 30 years. Tina was not only a highly-skilled coach, but equally as important, was her natural ability to instill such values as learning to win, learning to lose, respect for the authority of the official, and respect |
for one’s opponent; all values that help an individual become a good citizen in one’s community. When Tina assumed Phys-Ed department head responsibilities, she looked for new course selection initiatives that would encourage more students to remain active and foster a lifelong desire to be physically active. Thus in 1989, two new courses were developed and pioneered by Tina and added to the GDHS curriculum, namely, Live Fit and Outdoor Education. Live Fit was purposefully designed to accommodate students who were interested in personal wellness and fitness rather than team sports. Students who enrolled in the Outdoor Education class experienced numerous day and overnight camping trips in and away from the community. Tina became more involved in developing and writing curriculum as a member of the SD&G Subject Council and in the early 80’s volunteered at the provincial level with the Heart and Stroke organization when it began its popular Jump Rope for Heart program in the schools. Tina retired from teaching in 2001.
Tina’s love for the outdoors lead her to participate in the Raisin River Canoe races during the years from 1980 to 1996. She completed the race 6 times with students, finishing second in the mixed division once, and second in the women’s division twice.
Tina’s desire to help individuals keep physically active did not stop in retirement. Over the years she remains very active and encourages many other to join her golfing, hiking, snow shoeing, playing pickle ball. Her leadership skills to organize and motivate people of retirement age to join any of the countless activities in her community is remarkable. Tina is currently a Board member with the Friends of Summerstown Trails organization. Tina was one of the original members of a group who orchestrated the beginnings of what is now known as the Glengarry Trails. She has served as a past director with the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. Tina is an avid gardener and environmentalist.
Tina’s lifelong commitment to model and promote the importance and value of quality daily physical activity, while as a teacher and in her retirement years within the Glengarry community, has earned her a place alongside other inductee greats.
Tina’s love for the outdoors lead her to participate in the Raisin River Canoe races during the years from 1980 to 1996. She completed the race 6 times with students, finishing second in the mixed division once, and second in the women’s division twice.
Tina’s desire to help individuals keep physically active did not stop in retirement. Over the years she remains very active and encourages many other to join her golfing, hiking, snow shoeing, playing pickle ball. Her leadership skills to organize and motivate people of retirement age to join any of the countless activities in her community is remarkable. Tina is currently a Board member with the Friends of Summerstown Trails organization. Tina was one of the original members of a group who orchestrated the beginnings of what is now known as the Glengarry Trails. She has served as a past director with the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. Tina is an avid gardener and environmentalist.
Tina’s lifelong commitment to model and promote the importance and value of quality daily physical activity, while as a teacher and in her retirement years within the Glengarry community, has earned her a place alongside other inductee greats.
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Hugh Michael MacDonaldLiving with a physical disability did not limit the late Hugh Michael MacDonald from achieving great sporting accomplishments. Those who may remember him from the community refer to him as Hughie, however when he moved to Kingston in the early 70’s he preferred using the name Michael. His sport results list him by his preferred name.
Michael was born in Hawkesbury in 1951 and was adopted as a toddler by the late Rita (new Sayant) and Donald MacDonald from the 7th Concession Glen Nevis. He was one of three MacDonald children. Michael attended St Margaret's Separate School in Glen Nevis, and schoolmates remember him being active playing baseball, hockey on the outdoor school rink and as the boy who would defend the little kids on the rough and tumble school yard. At an early age Michael developed severe seizures and required frequent medical attention. Later in life he was formally diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. As an early teen-ager, Michael moved to a residential facility in Brockville to learn more life skills. From here, he moved to Kingston in the early 70s and became a resident of the Tercentennial Lodge on King Street, an assisted living center. It was here where he had the opportunity to rekindle his interest and desire to become active in sports. For over a decade, Michael trained to compete in the Eastern Ontario Games for the Disabled. Records of his many successful athletic performances begin in 1978 and are listed below: |
1978 - first in weightlifting, archery and second in the 60 meters
1979 - first in weightlifting and second in the 60 and 100 meters and club throw
1980 - first in shot put and club throw, weightlifting, 60 and 100 meters
1981 - first in weightlifting, 60 and 100 meters
1982- first in weightlifting, third in shot put, 60, 100 meters
1983 - first in archery, second in 100 meters and club throw
1984 - second in club throw, javelin and 100 meters
1985 - first in Javelin, second in club throw, weightlifting and third in 100 meters
1986 - first in javelin and club throw and second in shot put
In 1986, Michael participated in the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Games in Windsor and finished second in weightlifting, 100 meters and third in shot put. In 1988, he attended the Provincial Championships for the Physically Disabled in Toronto and captured a third in the javelin event. Michael’s top finishes in these most competitive sporting events give testament to his perseverance, determination and strong athletic abilities. Combine these qualities with his involvement in community programs, and unwavering support from family and dedicated support workers, Michael thrived as a fierce competitor and decorated athlete.
Among Michael’s possessions that his sister Maureen keeps, she shared that there are several certificates of achievement from the Ontario March of Dimes Organization. Michael also played community basketball and received an award as the most improved player as a member of the High Gate Park Laser wheelchair basketball team (Kingston). When Michael was not training or playing sports, he worked in the clerical department at the Kingston Ability Center.
1979 - first in weightlifting and second in the 60 and 100 meters and club throw
1980 - first in shot put and club throw, weightlifting, 60 and 100 meters
1981 - first in weightlifting, 60 and 100 meters
1982- first in weightlifting, third in shot put, 60, 100 meters
1983 - first in archery, second in 100 meters and club throw
1984 - second in club throw, javelin and 100 meters
1985 - first in Javelin, second in club throw, weightlifting and third in 100 meters
1986 - first in javelin and club throw and second in shot put
In 1986, Michael participated in the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Games in Windsor and finished second in weightlifting, 100 meters and third in shot put. In 1988, he attended the Provincial Championships for the Physically Disabled in Toronto and captured a third in the javelin event. Michael’s top finishes in these most competitive sporting events give testament to his perseverance, determination and strong athletic abilities. Combine these qualities with his involvement in community programs, and unwavering support from family and dedicated support workers, Michael thrived as a fierce competitor and decorated athlete.
Among Michael’s possessions that his sister Maureen keeps, she shared that there are several certificates of achievement from the Ontario March of Dimes Organization. Michael also played community basketball and received an award as the most improved player as a member of the High Gate Park Laser wheelchair basketball team (Kingston). When Michael was not training or playing sports, he worked in the clerical department at the Kingston Ability Center.
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Cathy MacleanCathy MacLean has achieved elite running results both within and outside the Glengarry community.
It wasn’t until she was in her late 40s and after her family had grown up and left home, that Cathy began to run consistently and participate in local road races. She completed her first marathon a month short of her 50th birthday. Cathy has the innate ability to set attainable running goals and a rigorous training program for herself. Her story is organic in the sense that she devises and executes her own training program. She enters the races of her choosing and executes a near perfect race strategy every time she competes. In order to be successful and avoid injury, Cathy’s race plan is calculated to include important factors such as terrain and of course weather conditions that can change throughout a race. She maps out her training program, her diet, her mental preparation and the important and costly logistics involved when she travels outside the community to compete. Locals can set their clocks by Cathy’s run schedule as she completes her year round training through the streets in Alexandria, on River Road and other surrounding rural roads. Training for the top marathon events as Cathy does requires incredible self-discipline, perseverance and determination. Beginning in 2002, Cathy completed her first Ottawa Race Weekend marathon recording a finish time of 4:03:21. Again in Ottawa at the |
2007 marathon, she ran and achieved her personal best time ever of 3:48:02 in the 50 to 54 age category. Cathy has raced and finished the Ottawa marathon 10 times. In three of these marathons, she finished first in her 60 to 64 age grouping. Later years saw her place 2nd three times in the 65 to 69 age grouping.
Cathy ran in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2005 and her result served as a qualifying time to run Boston in 2006. Since, she has completed the Boston Marathon 10 times and has qualified once again to compete in April 2020. Cathy was only 500 meters from the finish in 2013 when race officials halted the runners due to the bombings at the finish line. Cathy qualified and ran in the New York City Marathon in November of 2018. On this day, Cathy finished 28th of 172 runners in her age group, and was second amongst the Canadian runners.
Woven throughout the 20 plus marathon races, Cathy has completed over 20 half marathons and too many to count 5 and 10 k races. Since 2011, Cathy has been a regular participant at the Canada Army Run events held in Ottawa in September, generally running the half marathon event.
As an aside from her running accomplishments, for the past 5 years Cathy has participated in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame Polar Bear Dip fundraiser event. She now volunteers with the Summerstown Friends of the Trails. Cathy will continue to run and adds that perhaps in the future she would like to train for a triathlon event.
Cathy shares that she runs for the pleasure of the experience and feels very fortunate to have achieved the race results that she has.
Cathy ran in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2005 and her result served as a qualifying time to run Boston in 2006. Since, she has completed the Boston Marathon 10 times and has qualified once again to compete in April 2020. Cathy was only 500 meters from the finish in 2013 when race officials halted the runners due to the bombings at the finish line. Cathy qualified and ran in the New York City Marathon in November of 2018. On this day, Cathy finished 28th of 172 runners in her age group, and was second amongst the Canadian runners.
Woven throughout the 20 plus marathon races, Cathy has completed over 20 half marathons and too many to count 5 and 10 k races. Since 2011, Cathy has been a regular participant at the Canada Army Run events held in Ottawa in September, generally running the half marathon event.
As an aside from her running accomplishments, for the past 5 years Cathy has participated in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame Polar Bear Dip fundraiser event. She now volunteers with the Summerstown Friends of the Trails. Cathy will continue to run and adds that perhaps in the future she would like to train for a triathlon event.
Cathy shares that she runs for the pleasure of the experience and feels very fortunate to have achieved the race results that she has.
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Campbell "Geeses" MacGillivrayThe late Pilot Officer Campbell “Geeses” MacGillivray was born on June 17, 1921 and it was during his Alexandria High School years that Campbell’s reputation as an exceptionally gifted all-round athlete in skill and in sportsmanship emerged. Campbell seized opportunities to play as many sports as possible and excelled in all that he played, notably, track and field, hockey, soccer and lacrosse. Amongst his high school friends and in the Glengarry community, Campbell was affectionately known by the nickname “Geeses”.
The school’s track and field meet was held in the fall, and on these days Geeses displayed his formidable abilities. Over his high school track and field career, Geeses was always one of the top three finishers in the field events of Pole Vault, Shot Put, High, Broad and Triple Jump, and on the track for 100, 220, 440, and 880 yard races. As a result of his consistent top finishes in all events that he entered, Geeses earned the distinct honour of winning the Senior Men’s Track and Field trophy for four consecutive years beginning in Grade 9 in 1937 through to Grade 12 in 1940. A similar feat has never since been repeated. Geeses was a member for the Alexandria High School hockey team, playing either as the team centre forward or on defence as needed. In the early spring of 1941, the school hockey team won the Glengarry-Prescott Championship Trophy in a league consisting of school teams from Maxville, Vankleek Hill, Hawkesbury English and Hawkesbury French. That season, the Alexandria team went |
undefeated. Geeses served as team captain and led the team in scoring, netting 25 goals in eight league games. The final score on this snowy evening was 6 – 5 for Alexandria, with Geeses scoring 5 of the team’s goals. Later, at a school sports banquet held at the Alexander Hall, Geeses was presented the Powers Trophy, recognizing the AHS team as league champions of the Prescott and Glengarry Intercollegiate Hockey League.
While a student at AHS, Geeses’ exceptional hockey skills saw him recruited to play with the Cardinals, Alexandria’s entry in the Glengarry Junior Hockey League in 1939. The season opener was played in Martintown, and Campbell scored 3 of the goals in the 8-1 win over the home team. During that year he also played in the Cornwall O.C.O.T Juvenile League as a member of the Alexandria Red Blacks hockey team.
Many years later, in 1968, former school and teammates, sought permission from Geeses’ parents to name a trophy in honour of their friend to recognize the best hockey player in Glengarry. At the time, “Sports in the Glens” columnist for the Glengarry News Angus H. McDonell wrote, “It was an unanimous opinion of the Lions Club Sport committee that no young hockey player of any era in Glengarry showed more potential than the late Campbell MacGillivray, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. MacGillivray of Kirk Hill.” Thus, Geeses’ parents donated the J. Campbell MacGillivray Memorial Trophy in their son’s memory to the Alexandria Lions Club for presentation at its annual Sportsman’s Dinner.
Geeses was previously inducted into the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Pine Grove Football (soccer) team during the years 1938 to 1941, where he played the offensive inside position. Geeses contributed invaluably to this Pine Grove team winning four GSL league titles, three GSL championships, and two Ottawa Valley Championships, all with an incredible 36-game undefeated streak. More specifically, during the league playoff run in 1940, Geeses scored 6 of the team’s 8 goals, enough to earn Pine Grove the championship. Advancing to the Ottawa Valley Championship, Pine Grove went on to defeat the Ottawa League champions, the Ottawa Corinthians. Pine Grove outscored Ottawa 5 goals to 1, and Geeses again led his team in netting 3 of the 5 goals. Not surprisingly, Geeses received the GSL top scorer award in the 1941 season.
When not on the soccer field or the ice rink, MacGillivray was recruited to play with the Alexandria Lacrosse team when the team was short players. In one game against Dalhousie, Alexandria won 8 to 5 and Campbell scored 6 of the goals. Geeses played almost any sport that he could. During these years, he played baseball for the Kirk Hill church team, where he played the position of pitcher and once again led his team to win a local tournament.
Geeses’ sports accomplishments end here and what could have become of his future as an elite amateur or professional athlete can only be imagined. Following high school, Campbell (Geeses) MacGillivray enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in July of 1942. He trained in Toronto and Goderich before completing his pilot’s course in Brandon, Manitoba, where he “won his wings”. Sgt. MacGillivray went to England in the spring of 1943. He was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber and flew his first of 8 missions on December 1, 1943. His plane was shot down on January 21, 1944. His gravesite located in the Berlin Commonwealth Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Germany.
The war took its toll on young lives that had not achieved their potential in so many ways and the loss of Pilot Officer Campbell (Geeses) MacGillivray is one such tragic example. In his short life before going to war he left a lasting and indomitable impression in Glengarry sports lore.
While a student at AHS, Geeses’ exceptional hockey skills saw him recruited to play with the Cardinals, Alexandria’s entry in the Glengarry Junior Hockey League in 1939. The season opener was played in Martintown, and Campbell scored 3 of the goals in the 8-1 win over the home team. During that year he also played in the Cornwall O.C.O.T Juvenile League as a member of the Alexandria Red Blacks hockey team.
Many years later, in 1968, former school and teammates, sought permission from Geeses’ parents to name a trophy in honour of their friend to recognize the best hockey player in Glengarry. At the time, “Sports in the Glens” columnist for the Glengarry News Angus H. McDonell wrote, “It was an unanimous opinion of the Lions Club Sport committee that no young hockey player of any era in Glengarry showed more potential than the late Campbell MacGillivray, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. MacGillivray of Kirk Hill.” Thus, Geeses’ parents donated the J. Campbell MacGillivray Memorial Trophy in their son’s memory to the Alexandria Lions Club for presentation at its annual Sportsman’s Dinner.
Geeses was previously inducted into the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Pine Grove Football (soccer) team during the years 1938 to 1941, where he played the offensive inside position. Geeses contributed invaluably to this Pine Grove team winning four GSL league titles, three GSL championships, and two Ottawa Valley Championships, all with an incredible 36-game undefeated streak. More specifically, during the league playoff run in 1940, Geeses scored 6 of the team’s 8 goals, enough to earn Pine Grove the championship. Advancing to the Ottawa Valley Championship, Pine Grove went on to defeat the Ottawa League champions, the Ottawa Corinthians. Pine Grove outscored Ottawa 5 goals to 1, and Geeses again led his team in netting 3 of the 5 goals. Not surprisingly, Geeses received the GSL top scorer award in the 1941 season.
When not on the soccer field or the ice rink, MacGillivray was recruited to play with the Alexandria Lacrosse team when the team was short players. In one game against Dalhousie, Alexandria won 8 to 5 and Campbell scored 6 of the goals. Geeses played almost any sport that he could. During these years, he played baseball for the Kirk Hill church team, where he played the position of pitcher and once again led his team to win a local tournament.
Geeses’ sports accomplishments end here and what could have become of his future as an elite amateur or professional athlete can only be imagined. Following high school, Campbell (Geeses) MacGillivray enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in July of 1942. He trained in Toronto and Goderich before completing his pilot’s course in Brandon, Manitoba, where he “won his wings”. Sgt. MacGillivray went to England in the spring of 1943. He was the pilot of a Lancaster bomber and flew his first of 8 missions on December 1, 1943. His plane was shot down on January 21, 1944. His gravesite located in the Berlin Commonwealth Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Germany.
The war took its toll on young lives that had not achieved their potential in so many ways and the loss of Pilot Officer Campbell (Geeses) MacGillivray is one such tragic example. In his short life before going to war he left a lasting and indomitable impression in Glengarry sports lore.
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Kent McDonellThere are many great hockey players native to Glengarry, but those whose talents have earned them a spot on a NHL, AHL, OHL, Canadian Junior and European Elite team rosters are deserving of special recognition. Such is the hockey journey of Williamstown’s Kent McDonell.
Notably, Kent is the great grandson of Dr. Alexander Tupper McDonell, an inductee into the Hall of Fame in 1983 who was recognized for his football and lacrosse achievements. Kent was another Williamstown resident who grew up on the banks of the Raisin River and learned to skate on it in the winter and fish on it in the summer. Kent played as many sports as possible within the Char-Lan sports community but hockey quickly emerged as his passion. Kent was an enthusiastic member of the Char-Lan Minor Hockey Association from novice through to bantam minor and was coached by his father, Bruce. Playing through the levels of Char-Lan minor hockey, Kent remembers the away tournaments and always felt a great sense of pride and satisfaction when his hockey team made up of small town and farm kids entered the big city and state-side tournaments and came home victors. Kent credits much of his early success because he played alongside many good hockey players from the Williamstown area. Kent joined the Junior B Rebels at just 15 years of age playing the 1993-94 season. The following year, instead of following up on the |
opportunity to report to the Hawkesbury Hawks training camp, Al Wagar coach of the Cornwall Colts, picked him up to play in their 1995-96 season. That season Kent playing the right-wing position collected 33 points in 35 games. The Cornwall Colts advanced to the Fred Page Cup final, losing in the final game to Dartmouth.
At just 17 years of age, Kent entered the Junior A draft and went in the 2nd round to Guelph Storm in 1996. In his second year playing with the Storm, the team advanced to the Memorial Cup only to lose in the final game to Portland in over-time. Kent experienced great success while playing in Guelph. He captained the team in 1999. That same year he was named the team MVP and selected to the OHL First Team All-star roster. Including playoffs, Kent played 287 games and accumulated 227 points that speaks to his stellar play while in the OHL.
Kent was selected to represent Canada at the World U20 Juniors in 1999. The try out camp was held in Kenora. Canada hosted the World Juniors’ tournament in Winnipeg and Tom Renney served as Canadian coach. Kent finished with a plus 2 rating, including a goal and an assist in his 7 games played. The team advanced to the finals losing in a heartbreaking loss to Russia in over-time.
Kent was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997 and returned to the draft again in 1999, this time drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. He signed his first professional contract in 2000. He made short stops playing in the East Coast League before he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets and played with their affiliate in the American Hockey League in Syracuse. He was called up to play with the Columbus Blue Jackets and tallied 3 points in 32 games. 2004-05 was the infamous NHL lockout year and Kent made the difficult decision to leave and play in Europe. Here began an illustrious 10 year journey playing on division one teams in Norway, Germany and Finland, but the majority of these fulfilling years were spent playing in the Swedish Hockey League.
Kent retired from professional hockey in 2017 and he returned from Europe to establish his home in Caledon Hills with his wife Julie and daughter Logan. Along with other business interests, Kent presently runs Prospect Hockey, a hockey school where he focusses on developing the aspects of the game that served him well during his years of play, specifically the importance of strong communication, team effort and individual work ethic.
Kent’s Team Canada picture hangs in the Char-Lan Recreation Centre and serves as an inspiration to young players. Kent still calls the banks of the Raisin River and Williamstown home and returns frequently to visit family and friends.
At just 17 years of age, Kent entered the Junior A draft and went in the 2nd round to Guelph Storm in 1996. In his second year playing with the Storm, the team advanced to the Memorial Cup only to lose in the final game to Portland in over-time. Kent experienced great success while playing in Guelph. He captained the team in 1999. That same year he was named the team MVP and selected to the OHL First Team All-star roster. Including playoffs, Kent played 287 games and accumulated 227 points that speaks to his stellar play while in the OHL.
Kent was selected to represent Canada at the World U20 Juniors in 1999. The try out camp was held in Kenora. Canada hosted the World Juniors’ tournament in Winnipeg and Tom Renney served as Canadian coach. Kent finished with a plus 2 rating, including a goal and an assist in his 7 games played. The team advanced to the finals losing in a heartbreaking loss to Russia in over-time.
Kent was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997 and returned to the draft again in 1999, this time drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. He signed his first professional contract in 2000. He made short stops playing in the East Coast League before he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets and played with their affiliate in the American Hockey League in Syracuse. He was called up to play with the Columbus Blue Jackets and tallied 3 points in 32 games. 2004-05 was the infamous NHL lockout year and Kent made the difficult decision to leave and play in Europe. Here began an illustrious 10 year journey playing on division one teams in Norway, Germany and Finland, but the majority of these fulfilling years were spent playing in the Swedish Hockey League.
Kent retired from professional hockey in 2017 and he returned from Europe to establish his home in Caledon Hills with his wife Julie and daughter Logan. Along with other business interests, Kent presently runs Prospect Hockey, a hockey school where he focusses on developing the aspects of the game that served him well during his years of play, specifically the importance of strong communication, team effort and individual work ethic.
Kent’s Team Canada picture hangs in the Char-Lan Recreation Centre and serves as an inspiration to young players. Kent still calls the banks of the Raisin River and Williamstown home and returns frequently to visit family and friends.