27 | Friday, April 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Teammates remember two hockey Bobs By Peter Donlevy Special to the Beaver The Bob Smallhorn Group plays oldtimer pickup hockey, many of them together for more than 25 years. Our team has a unique tradition to honour two for mer teammates. In late 2 0 1 2 , Bob Smallhorn and Bob Schneider, were diagnosed with terminal cancer. Our team was determined to enjoy our remaining time together to the full est. Numerous outings were organized: a private box to see a Brampton Battalion Junior A hockey game, lunches at the lo cal Legion, where certain teammates ar ranged surprise visits by Dave Keon and Vic Hadfield. These events often included the two Bobs' other friends, outside of the hock ey fraternity. W hen it became too tough for them to travel outdoors, house visits became the norm. One of our players, Doug Thompson, came up with the brilliant suggestion of a memorial game to honour our two friends while they were still around to enjoy the moment. Thus was born the Bobs' Cup Trophy, to be awarded to the winners of the final game of the sea son. The initial event, held April 11, 2 0 1 3 , involved a m em orable kickoff, thanks in large part to team Teammates arranged for surprise visits by Dave Keon and Vic Hadfield m ates Doug Ball and Tom Robus persuading a lo cal arena m anager to allow w hat would transpire next. Just before game time, with the arena's sound sys tem blaring "W e are the Champions", a van slowly emerged from the Zamboni entrance and drove the Bobs and their wives to centre ice. A red carpet led to the players' bench where team mates, family and friends awaited a final photo op, with many others watching from the stands. There was not a dry eye in the place. Team Red defeated Team W hite that night but no one seemed to care. All that mattered was friendship and saying goodbye to longtime friends. Afterwards, everyone convened at M onaghan' s Pub for refreshments and laughter. Bob Schneider passed a couple of weeks after the event: Bob Smallhorn passed six months later. Every year since their wives Sha ron Sm allhorn and Bernice Schneider along with friends and family continue to attend the Bobs' Cup games. After the fifth annual game in March, Bernice summed it up: "Once again, it was a wonderful op portunity to recall the camaraderie, the wonder ful friendships, the comedic past moments and the brotherhood of team mates." · Peter Donlevy was a teammate of Bob Smallhorn and Bob Schneider Whole Pennyfather family now paddling at Burioak Canoe Club continued from p. 26 W hile her sister competed at Olympic Hopes Regatta, Kate may soon be able to dream of the Olympics as well. W om en' s canoe, added to the world championships schedule in 2 0 1 0 , continues to move closer to in clusion in the Games. W hile it was their m other who first raised the idea of joining Burloak, the Pennyfather kids' pad dling careers have now brought their parents to the club. The Burloak Canoe Club will Their mom got back in a boat hold 2 0 1 7 registration and open and earned a bronze medal in the house Saturday (April 2 2 ) from masters division at nationals last 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 160 W ater St. year. Their dad, John, joined the Anyone wanting to learn more club two years ago, bringing the about the club and its programs entire Pennyfather family into the is welcome to stop by to talk to Burloak family For now, at least. coaches and club members. Sam will be going to school in Visit burloakcanoe.com for Nova Scotia in the fall, but even more information. though he'll be a few provinces away, he says his connection to Burloak will remain strong. "The atmosphere there just makes you want to be a part of it," he said. "You see people year after year and you become friends. Kids I paddled with when I was younger still come back in the summer. Once you're a part of it, you're permanently a part of it." Seems mom might have known what she was talking about. Reg istration, open house tomorrow b w ib b e r^ Follow Halton sports on Twitter: @postbeaversport (Kevin Nagel, Burlington Post and Oakville Beaver sports editor) @miltononsports (Steve Leblanc, Milton Canadian Champion sports editor) @herbgarbutt (Post, Beaver, Champion sports reporter) If you'd like to advertise your place of worship in this feature please call J E N N I F E R G O U L D 289 293'0683 ' PENTECOSTAL U N IT E D P R E S B Y T E R IA N \W Bible Teaching & Worship Service, 12:30-2:30pm (SOUTH RIDGE ROOM) 1051 Glenashton Dr. Glenashton & Eighth Line FRID A Y Teaching & Youth Service 7-8:30pm Tel: 416-892-8123 Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Pastor: Elder M.J. Brissett IROQUOIS RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE SUNDAY GLEN ABBEY UNITED CHURCH REV. T E D VA N C E C o m e m e e t o u r n e w M in is te r, w h o re la te s th e W o rd o f G o d to p ro v id e g u id a n c e fo r o u r liv e s to d a y ! Knox Presbyterian Church warmly welcomes you to grow with us in faith this Sunday Sunday, AprM 23rd W e have two services 9 :0 0 and 10:30 Join us for food, fun and family at Messy Church on Friday April 2 8 . a ll are welcome and doors open at 6 :0 0 . S U N D A Y S E R V IC E 1 0 :0 0 a m W hen w e say "A L L A R E W E L C O M E !" Y o u re a lly w ill b e! C h u rc h y o u r w h o le fa m ily w ill e n jo y . H o p e to s e e y o u s o o n ! 1 4 6 9 N o ttin g h ill G a te , O a k v ille 9 0 5 -8 2 5 -2 5 9 2 w w w .g le n a b b e y u n ite d c h u r c h .c o m Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca JESUS IS LORD I K nox O A K V IL L E Lakeshore & Dunn 905.844.3472 KnoxOakville.com