CPR recreation club formed as Legion elects officers and first hockey game of season played in 1947

Community leaders late 1940s Names below

The Canadian Pacific Railway Recreation Club was getting underway while Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion was electing officers, and the first pre season town league exhibition game was played in the "old old" arena on Lorne Street.

On the municipal election front, B.W. 'Bubs" Zufelt was elected to his first term as reeve, and Mrs. Maud Hands became the first woman elected to Chapleau council.

The Chapleau Post was reporting the news as the community was moving forward two years after the end of World War II.

J.E. Edwards, the CPR freight agent had organized the meeting to establish the recreation club which would contribute to "the welfare of sports of all kinds" as well as recreation and social activities.
One of its immediate priorities would be the CPR hockey team managed by Mr. Edwards and coached by Denis Serre, according to the Chapleau Post.

Elected at the organization meeting were Hon. President A.W. Harris and Hon. Vice Presidents W.A. Almand and Fred Depew. It was common then to have "honourary positions.

The president was J.M. "Mac" McAllister, who had come to Chapleau as an imported hockey star. After his playing days, he became an excellent referee.

Junior Team circa 1948-49

Vice presidents were R. Thompson and D. Melville while the treasurer was D.J. Bowker. Executive committee members were Albert Corston, Ed Swanson, Mr. Edwards, Ken Lacombe, D. Serre, W.N. Hawke, Willard Morrison, R. Thompson, Fred Depew and Cecil McAdam.
Meanwhile over at the arena  there was a "large crowd" on hand for the first per-season game of the town hockey league. This league was highly competitive for years and was full body contact.

They named the teams Reds and Whites and the Post noted that Yvon 'Shorty' Morin of the Whites scored two "quick" goals in the first period followed by Reggie Sonego of the Reds with two "quick" goals. Other goal scorers included Garth "Tee" Chambers, Baisel Collings, Tom Godfrey, Chuck Corston and Greg Lucas.

Over at the Legion Hall, Branch No. 5 was holding its election of officers with J.M. "Jack" Shoup, a veteran of World War I and II elected president with Henry Therriault and Rene Aquin elected first and second vice presidents respectively.

Other officers were secretary D.T . "Toddy" Collinson and treasurer Fred Matters. The auditors were Harry Searle, George Collinson and Steve Therriault. Executive committee members were Mr. Searle, after whom the branch came to be named and Ovide Cote, Willard Morrison and Walter Steed.

As I was reading the Chapleau Post, it struck me that just two years after coming home from World War !!, these veterans were becoming very involved in community life at the Legion as well as elsewhere. No wonder they are called the "exceptional generation". They were joining the World War I veterans who were already involved.

Thanks to Doug Greig for the Chapleau Post. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Junior hockey team circa 1948-49.  Back row are from left Orville Robinson, Doug Swanson, Lorne Riley, Greg Lucas, Tee Chambers, Fred Goheen, Keith Strapp, Toddy Collinson, Ernest 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), Pat Serre, Ross Hamlin, George Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, Bob Evans, Reggie Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), Tom Jardine, Angelo Mione, Johnny Morin, Mike Mione, Clarence Fiaschetti.

 

Some of Chapleau's most involved citizens as the boom years were starting after World War II. From left Dr David Lougheed, Arthur Grout, Cecil Smith, unknown, Walter Steed, Reg Thrush, Reeve B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt, Ernie Lepine, Eli Brunette, J.M. Shoup, Richard Brownlee, Dr G.E. Young, George Fife, Charles W. Collins