Bruno Major
Canoe paddling history is repeating itself for the second successive year in the annals of the Glengarry Sports hall of Fame history with the induction of Bruno Major following that of Maurice Sauvé last year’s enshrinement.
Bruno Major is the son of Alphonse Major and his wife the former Rena Latreille, Williamstown. Similar to most Williamstown boys in their youth; Bruno Major played his first hockey on the Raisin River’s sheet of ice in early December and then Williamstown’s famed rink the cradle of several Glengarry players of who went on to stardom in professional and senior OHA class such as the Sullivans, Cattanachs, Raymonds, Larocques to mention a few in passing.
From hockey Bruno Major became interested in trap shooting and eventually taking part in competitions and was rewarded with several trophies, the result of his accuracy as a marksman.
The innovation of paddling competition with the Raisin River White Water Race during the spring high water fun-off attracted Bruno Major and he decided as a true sportsman to accept the challenge of paddling the gruelling 21 mile course beginning at St. Andrews.
Bruno’s competitive character was all that was required to make him an enthusiastic paddler. With the exception of one year he competed in the White Water race annually. He was the winner twice and once with Maurice Sauvé and repeated with his oldest son Mark. Bruno won silver awards four times and bronze in three races and all other contests finishing in the top 10.
By this time confidence and skills had boosted Bruno Major’s moral to the point that he ventured to a higher level of racing in the provincial and Marathon divisions.
Briefly from 1985 finished third in the Provincial-Mindex open and second in the National at Fredericton, N.B., also gold in the 40 mile distance from North Bay to Mattawa with Maurice Sauvé. In 1985 third tandem, third solo at Peterborough and fifth at World’s Masters in Toronto.
From 1987 to 1990 winning ways were maintained at the Provincials. At Parry Sound first tandem and third mixed; Saskatoon second tandem. On to London, Ontario next year finishing second in tandem and third in St. Georges, N.B.
In 1989 Campbellford Provincials, second in tandem and second in North Canoe. Then the National at St. Stanislaus, P.Q., copping a second and third and in 1990 Provincials at Campbellford, first North Canoe.
After building many racing canoes, Bruno decided to fashion a 26 foot full team canoe and the following were his team members: Larry Van Loon, Mark Major, Maurice Sauvé, Maurice Deguire, Yvon Ranger, and Lynn Marie Gallant.
Bruno has twice competed in the world famous “Calassique” in Quebec which attracts paddlers from all of Canada and U.S. The course is a distance of 120 miles and it takes three days paddling to cover the course.
Another prestigious race is the American (General) General Calinton which Bruno raced three times, a 70 mile endurance grind in one day at Cooperstown, N.Y. Bruno placed first in the Masters Class and was twice third.
In the off season Bruno keeps in physical condition by cross country skiing and that has led to competitive including the Gatineau 55 mile run. And another sport he excels in is triathlon, canoeing, biking and running. Four times he won the Ottawa Triathlon and as a result of various other races Bruno won a total of 140 and has medals galore as lifetime evidence. Bruno was voted nale athlete of the year by Charlottenburgh Township receiving a Government of Canada medal. And now further honours come September 4th at the Sports Palace, Alexandria, his enshrinement in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame.
