Donating in their Memory
Larry Dickhout’s lifelong link to the Dunnville Arena led to the former star athlete making a heartfelt contribution to the Let’s ROC (Re- Energize Our Community) campaign.
As a way of commemorating the memory of his beloved son, Jim, and wife, Angie, who both passed away last year, Larry Dickhout made a memorial donation of $10,000 toward Dunnville’s new arena recreation facility this week.
“So many people have been so kind and wondered what they could do to help” ease his loss in the past year, explained Dickhout, “but there’s nothing they can do.”
Instead, he made a proposal to the community: “Help us build the arena.”
Recalling his connection to the facility, “I hung out at the Arena since age nine or 10,” said Dickhout. “I was on the Mudcat Executive in 1975-76, and a Terrier and Mudcat supporter for years.”
As a retired teacher, Dickhout said both his wife and son were also teachers, and that Angie “lost her will to live,” passing away six weeks after the death of Jim, their son, who taught for 19 years at Dunnville Secondary School.
Several of the Mudcat Hockey Alumni are retired teachers as well, including Don Vail, Joe Maggio, Tom Pettigrew, and Dave Green.
Vail, a member of the original Mudcats from 1950 to 1957 and former captain of the Oldtimers, has joined other Mudcat Hockey Alumni who have formed a fundraising group to assist the Let’s ROC cause, noted Green.
“Doug Hines was one of five Hines brothers who played for the Mudcats,” he said. “He and Don Vail are both mentors of mine. The Hines boys were a legend. We all have a connection in so many ways.”
Since Dickhout’s recent donation, “Larry is now a member of the Dunnville Alumni Hockey Fundraising group” as well, added Green.
“He is one of our celebrated local athletes and was a shortstop on a Junior B All Ontario championship and a long-time sportsman. He was always a supporter, and on the Mudcats executive for several years. He’s a generous, generous man and we are lucky to have him.”
Maggio has many fond memories of his time as a Mudcat during the early 1980s.
“There are some who are no longer with us that I really miss,” he recalled. “So many great memories and really fun times.”
Posted By CATHY PELLETIER , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
June 7, 2010
Article ID# 2603871
Tagged with: Dave Green • Don Vail • Doug Hines • Joe Maggio • Larry Dickhout • Tom Pettigrew
Filed under: Mudcat News
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!