Gerald "Gerry" Simpson
If TSN opted to cover the Glengarry Sports scene with a unique program, Gerald J. Simpson would be the anchor with the telecast out of the Shepherd Motors Sports shop. Few other Glengarry could capture the local sports scene and history like the friendly storeman, Gerry. Even fewer can tell a yarn and crank out a story on slow news days. Gerry arrived in the Glengarry sports scene in 1957, finding employment with the local Highways detachment. His first lodging found him in the Glen Sandfield rectory, a guest, along with Ron Wallace, of the late Reverend William Reid. Soon after, Gerry was instrumental in the foundation and establishment of Glen Sandfield’s first senior men’s soccer team and a Saturday afternoon boxing club. It was a passion for soccer, fostered from his early days in England, and a willingness to develop the game in Glengarry that has led to Gerry’s upcoming induction into the hall.
Gerry was a good, versatile soccer player having played matches on club teams throughout Europe before returning to Canada, but his main contribution to the game was in the roles of coach, organizer, manager and administrator. For MacSimpson – as he is fondly referred to – is the father of minor soccer in Alexandria.
Gerry established the first town minor soccer entry, the Alexandria IGA Bantams, in the early 60’s which dominated the Glengarry Soccer League for several seasons. Mr.Simpson went on to establish an Alexandria boy’s soccer minor league program run solely by himself where some 50 boys would meet on a Saturday afternoon to play with Gerry serving as referee, coach and league president. For many boys it was their first exposure to the game. Gerry’s legacy, which is being recognized by the Hall of Fame, will be all those young men who have in turn contributed to the county’s minor soccer programs as coaches, referees and league administrators.
The Alexandria minor soccer programs now boasts more than 300 registered soccer players. In the late 60’s, Carman MacMillan and Gerry Simpson decided it was time to expand the soccer horizons of the local teams and established the Glengarry Stars soccer club which competed in the Ottawa and District League and consisted of various players from throughout the GSL Men’s League. The team marched to league titles in the Third Division and Second Division. After promotion to the First Division, they won the title twice, in 1971 and 1975. The respect for Glengarry soccer was reestablished.
During the 1980’s and 90’s, Gerry continued to coach various Alexandria minor teams, the Alexandria senior men’s team for seven years, and served on the League’s Board of Directors in various capacities including Vice-Chairman. In addition, Gerry served on the Ottawa and District Soccer Association as the Glengarry representative.
More recently, Gerry established the under 19 SD&G Blazers, a team which competes in the Ottawa League and plays their home games out of Alexandria. He recognized the need for our young players to compete against stronger opponents.
In the past several years, Gerry as become an international soccer groupie, traveling throughout the USA for the America Cup and World Cup and already has his tickets for the upcoming European Cup in England. His soccer knowledge and interest has educated many a soccer fan in Glengarry on the international scene. He generously lends out videos of matches he has taped or purchased.
Beyond the summer season Gerry has found a Canadian sport which he quickly took to! From 1965 on Gerry was involved with the Alexandria Minor Hockey Association and in addition he was instrumental in the establishment of the Glens Jr. B. franchise and became their second general manager. Over the past 30 years, Gerry has held various roles on the club from manager to coach and other administrative duties. In that stint the club has claimed four St. Lawrence Valley championships. As a minor hockey manager, and again teaming up with Carman MacMillan, the tandem led the Alexandria Midgets to the ODHA crown in 1967.
Just to make sure the boys had no time to be on the street during the summer afternoons, Gerry established the Boys’ Baseball League in 1968 for the Alexandria youth. In addition, he fielded a competitive team in the Cornwall Baseball League, called the Alexandria Blues.
In reflection, Gerry said it was the late Father Charles Gauthier who encouraged his participation in minor soccer and Alex Dapratto who recruited his coaching services for the minor hockey program in Alexandria. He is grateful for their active recruiting. “I have had a the opportunity to work with some good young kids, and enjoyed every minute of it,” reports Gerry. “In coaching all those sports I was really a jack of all trades but master of none.”
Born in the harbor city of Sarnia in 1928, Gerry deserves a spot on the sideline as the local critic – a role he occasionally enjoys, but his threats to retire are just that. Last summer Gerry coached two soccer clubs and assisted in the running of a third minor team. In addition he has the daunting task of keeping the Shepherd Bros. on the job and planning for his upcoming televison premiere on TSN – Getting A Kick Out Of Life.
As Gerry’s good friend and fellow Hall-of-Famer, the late Gerald MacDonald would say, “I’ve been around the world from Vinegar City to Breadalbane and I never met a man like him!” There are in a countless number of Glengarry youths who have benefitted from Gerry’s volunteer efforts and who were very fortunate to have crossed paths with this affable sportsman.
“Gerry Simpson didn’t want a funeral. Instead, he asked that his passing be celebrated, and a celebration it certainly was on Saturday when over 130 people, some travelling from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, gathered at the Glengarry Sports Palace to reminisce about MacSimpson, as Gerry was affectionately known, “the father of junior soccer in Alexandria.” Gerry Simpson, a lifelong bachelor, died at Glengarry Memorial Hospital on February 5, 2011 at the age of 82.
Ernie MacMillan shared memories of Gerry’s early years and the many teams in many sports that Gerry would coach or manage or help or support over the next fifty years. “Gerry loved team sports, especially soccer, he loved the competition, the team spirit, the camaraderie, the excitement and the drama. Hundreds of young players will go on with sports involvement because of Gerry.”
Bruce MacCuaig first met Gerry in 1962 also spoke. “He did so much for so many kids in Alexandria and indeed in all Glengarry. He brought a lot of dreams here and coached many kids who might have had no chance to play sports otherwise.”
Saturday’s memorial included a large display area created by Ann McMillan and Laurie Filion consisting of hundreds of memorabilia items, most of them from Mr. Simpson’s room at The Foyer in Alexandria. Those who visited Mr. Simpson at his apartment in the residence recall that it was a small museum dedicated to youth sport in Alexandria and to Gerry’s favourite soccer team, Brazil.
Glen McMillan made sure to bring along some quotes from Gerry that filled the room with laughter. To end off, here are a few of them. Asked how the Glens game went,” “Garbage Glen — garbage!” “Good run McCormick, good run — next time, take the ball with you.” Asked how a player did: “Glen, like a kite in a wind storm,” or “Oh terrible — like a bus out of control.””
