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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 14, 2014 | 32 Bud Donovan's giving spirit will be missed by Oakville lacrosse community minor oaks hockey association initiation program There did not seem to be anything Bud Donovan wouldn't do for a good cause, even if it didn't seem like a good idea. "I can remember (Oakville Buzz junior B lacrosse team general manager) Ken Gillies asking him to do security for a couple of games, and a couple guys got thrown out," said Donovan's son, Bruce. "He said, `Ken, don't forget, I'm 83 years old.' But he'd still ask the guys to calm down, ask them to leave." The willingness to do anything to help is just one of the things the Buzz, the Oakville minor lacrosse community and others in the town will remember about Bud Donovan, who succumbed to cancer last week at the age of 86. "He was our best ambassador/fan. The last three or four years, he was always out on Friday nights at our home games. Then, win or lose, whatever (bar) we were frequenting after games Bud Donovan contributed to the Oakville minor lacrosse asthat year, he'd come back and have a beer sociation and Oakville Buzz junior B team in many ways. with the coaches and say hello to the par| photo submitted ents," Gillies said. "Before that, he was one of our bigger fundraisers and volunteers, handling any role that had to be done. Whether it was setting up before the game, selling 50/50 tickets, getting the water or getting stuff ready." Donovan first became involved with lacrosse when Bruce was a player in the Oakville minor system. He managed his son's team that year and even assisted players who faced financial challenges that might have prevented them from participating. Bud then threw his support behind the Buzz when the team was founded in 2001 and Bruce was the head coach in its inaugural season. Bud was instrumental in setting up a mini-marathon that the Buzz participated in, known as the Buzz Run. Proceeds from the event went towards the Ian Anderson House, Oakville's in-resident cancer hospice, where his daughter Valerie passed away in 2000 after receiving palliative care at the facility. Bruce said his father was a master at using his personable nature to coax donations and assistance out of others. "If anybody phoned him, it didn't matter if he was busy. Whether it was a gala they needed help with, or they needed prizes or something else, he'd be knocking on everyone's door trying to get something done," Bruce said. "I guess it was him being the hustler sales rep with Campbell's Soup for so many years... He would ask anybody for anything. "Even if he was sitting at a stop light in his car, he'd start talking to the people next to him. People liked him, and then wanted to do things for him... He'd always just share what he could get his hands on and keep moving it on to people who had less." Many former Buzz players attended Bud's celebration of life last week at The Oakville Club, where the junior B lacrosse team announced that they have created an award in his honour. The Bud Donovan Memorial Community Award will be presented each season to "the person who has, for continuous years, dedicated their service to the Buzz organization toward enhancing the team's profile and the sport of lacrosse in the Oakville community." "He's definitely going to be missed," said Gillies. "It's a small community, and an even smaller group of volunteers. When you lose one of your better ambassadors, you're always going to feel it." Bud (Earnest John) Donovan leaves behind wife Roslyn, children Laurie, Kathleen, Gary, Arlene and Bruce, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. His memorial service was held Saturday at St. Jude's Anglican Church. (5 and 6 year olds, 2008/2009 birth years for 2014/15 season) spots still available for winter season winter January 4-March 8/15, Evaluation Skate January 3, Gala Day March 8 players on ice twice/week Monday-Thursday: Skill development Sunday: Games/practice sessions $199 /season price option to purchase equipment packages protective package includes shoulder, elbow, neck, shin pads, pants. $49. full package includes Protective package, skates, stick and helmet. $99. Equipment will be fully fitted for each player. MOHA is a member association of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. All coaches are OMHA certified. REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE · Have FUN! Play Hockey! Learn the FUNdamentals! · Professionally trained instructor overseeing the program · NHL themed teams · Questions? Please call the MOHA 905-338-9220 registration online at www.moha.ca -- Jon Kuiperij