4 Thursday, April 6, 2023brooklintowncrier.com Brooklin Bafflers: by Liz Lowe Word Search Abaia Abath Agape Aido Aja Aker Alborak Alfil Anu Apis Apollo Apop Baku Ccoa Ceyx Chac Dies Ea Eel Elf Enyo Eye Fairie Feng Fetch Fog Garm Garter Gawain Gelatinouscube Geri Gog Hel Hill Hob Hoo Horus Hu Ice Ifrit Imp Io Isa Jormungandr King Kirni Kop Kraken Lich Lord Mad Mara Mokele Mold Naiads Nix Nun Oedipus Oni Orc Ossa Pan Para Puk Pup Pwca Reem Rigi Rock Rok Rompo Rope Rukh Seth Seti Small Straw Su Tarn Taurt Temple Tengu Tiamat Troll Twas Tyr Unycorn Uruk Urus Vulcan Water Wererat Wolf Xan Yali Yata Yeti Yfrit Ziz Zu The recent passing of Donald "Sully" Vipond, the last surviving member of his generation in the Vipond family, marks the end of an era in Brooklin. His legacy is deeply rooted here as his family has been a significant part of the community's history. His grandfather, John Vipond, farmed 210 acres of land he purchased in 1874, which became the location for a pond that serviced the Brooklin Mill on Cassels Road and then, from 1914 to 1920, the place where the Brooklin Spring Fair was held. Sully's father, Myron, sold 100 acres of the land for the development of Meadowcrest subdivision, which resulted in the naming of Vipond Road in the family's honour. Boxer nickname Born on June 16, 1937, Sully was the youngest of 10 children. He learned from an early age how to defend himself against his older brothers' rough play, earning him the nickname Sully for John "Sully" Sullivan, a renowned heavy-weight boxing champion of the early 20th century. Growing up in a sports loving family, Sully developed a passion for hockey and lacrosse, which he played competitively for many years. He started his hockey career in 1956 in the Juvenile D division of the Ontario Minor Hockey League, working his way up to become an Ontario Hockey League Intermediate C finalist in 1964. He also played lacrosse for the Brooklin Meadowcrest team in the Intermediate C division. From 1961 until 1965 Sully was a member of the Brooklin Hillcrest Senior A lacrosse team and then Brooklin Lacrosse club under the team name Brooklin Redmen. He scored the first goal at their inaugural game and remained active on the executive for 36 years. In 2000 Sully was one of the three founding members of the Brooklin Merchant Senior "B" lacrosse teams. That same year he was awarded the Senior "B" Presidents cup. Never losing his love for the game, even after retirement, he remained a passionate supporter, often heard encouraging his team from the stands. Community engagement Sully's love of sports was matched by his commitment to community service. He was a member of the Brooklin and district Kinsmen club, where he served as President. In 1967, he became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Brooklin branch 152, later becoming President for a decade, and led the Legion softball club in the 1990s. A member of Mount Zion Lodge and Brooklin Spring Fair parade marshall in 2004, his contributions to the community were recognized when he received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, presented to him by then Whitby MP Jim Flaherty at an awards ceremony in the Whitby Centennial building. Despite the passing of his wife Gloria in 2008, Sully drew strength from his daughters Laurie and Debbie and his grandson Blaine. Despite his battle with medical challenges in his final years, he approached each obstacle with unwavering determination, staying strong to the end. He passed away on March 22. The Last of an Era By Jennifer Hudgins