12 • Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Standard
North Durham celebrates the passionate life of Larry Pilkey DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
The North Durham community was saddened this week following the passing of Larry Pilkey, a member of the first Uxbridge Bruins Junior ‘C’ hockey team. Mr. Pilkey, 52, who was originally from Claremont and later moved to Port Perry, passed away peacefully at his home amongst his family and friends on Thursday, Oct. 27, after courageously battling The Uxbridge Bruins honoured the brain cancer. The Uxbridge Bruins paid memory of former player Larry tribute to Mr. Pilkey prior to Pilkey on Friday night by hanging his their game on Friday (Oct. familiar Number 9 behind the bench. 28) night with a special cer- (Right) Larry’s program photo as a emony conducted by Dan 17-year-old rookie with the Uxbridge Pollard, who shared his own Dominion Autos in the fall of 1976. ASHENHURST PHOTOGRAPHY memories of ‘Pilk.’ Special to The Standard “He was full of life,” recalled Pollard. “Some might Hockey was a focal point “Absolutely. have called it mischief, but he throughout Pilkey’s life. I learned a lot was truly always full of life.” After his Junior hockey from him over Before the Bruins home career finished, he moved on the course opener in September, Mr. to coaching, and MoJacks of that year. Pilkey was honoured along Head Coach Corey Bricknell Mainly to have with the other original mem- credites Pilkey with helping a memory like a rabbit - never bers of the team in another him at a key point in his more than 30 seconds - and pre-game ceremony, and his own hockey career. knowing that you can never name elicited the loudest “I was in Bantam and get time back on the clock. cheers of all. wound up playing for the You have to make the most of Friday’s ceremony also fea- Midget team coached by the time you still have.” tured a ceremonial face-off Doug Scott and Larry that In 1987, Pilkey joined conducted by Larry’s sister won an All-Ontario champi- the Markham Fire DepartTerriPort and thePerry Bruins paid trib- onship,” recalled Bricknell. ment, working at various Medical Associates of ute by hanging the Number 9 “Larry always kept it posi- fire stations in Markham will offersweater behind their bench. tive on the bench. You never throughout his 25-year Larry Pilkey joined the heard from him until you career. He is also fondly Bruins as a 17-year-old. Orig- needed to.” remembered there. inally a right winger, Pilkey When asked if Pilkey was “Markham Council ofmade the switch to defence a contributing factor in help- fers its deepest condolences and scored 22 goals in just 26 ing Bricknell graduate to the to Firefighter Larry Pilkey’s games played feat thatONLY is Jr. ‘A’ ranks the next season family and friends,” said PATIENTS OVER 65 YEARS OF- aAGE all the more remarkable since with the Oshawa Legion- Markham Mayor Frank the team scored less than 100 naires, Bricknell responded Scarpitti in a press release. st goals the entire season. without hesitation. “A dedicated Markham firefrom October 21 to November 7th.
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fighter for his entire career, Larry Pilkey was an exemplary representative of our community and his absence will be felt by Markham Fire and Emergency Services and our community.” Other members of the Markham Fire Department expressed their heartfelt condolences to Mr. Pilkey’s family in the days following his death. “Larry will be missed by all members of the Markham Professional Firefighters Association,” MPFFA President Walter Brinston said in a press release. “He was the type of person who was loved by all. If you knew Larry you would like him. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and gained your respect and friendship through his humour and natural leadership ability.” According to Pollard, Pilkey’s sense of humour and love of sports endured right up until his final moments. “Shortly before his death, Larry said to his sister ‘I’m ready. I just hope I’m not reincarnated as a Toronto Maple Leafs goalie.’ That was Larry Pilkey,” recalled Pollard. Mr. Pilkey leaves behind his devoted wife Louise, sons Luke and Jake, siblings Terri, Lenni and Tracy and his extended family and a vast network of friends. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. On-line condolences for Larry Pilkey can be made at http://lowandlow. ca/notices.htm.