Michel "Mike" Depratto

Born January 31, 1952 to parents Ubald and Rejeanne Depratto, Mike began his journey through life as a sports enthusiast and competitor. At a young age he battled against a severe rheumatic fever which evidently proved his strength and heart.

While attending Glengarry District High School Mike embarked on a high school career full of bright minds and bright lights – under the bright lights of the football field that is. But football wasn’t his only sport; he also excelled at wrestling winning 2 EOSSA titles. Mike also played badminton, curling, broomball and hockey.

Mike then moved on to Algonquin College where he graduated from a Recreation Director/Management program. Mike, from 1973-1998, was the Parks and Recreation Director for the town of Alexandria. He was also a member of the building committee for the Glengarry Sports Palace and became the arena manager from 1976-1998.

Now that Mike had finished most playing, he began to coach and volunteer. During college he coached the Canterbury High School football team. For 10 years he coached the Alexandria Chippers and Carnation Fastball teams winning many tournaments. After Mike got married he coached his wife in Ladies Softball, Broomball, and Sponge puck for over 20 years. With his 3 children now in the picture his coaching extended even further. He coached hockey for the Alexandria and District Minor Hockey Association (ADMHA) and girls AA in Cornwall.

Through all of this, Mike found time to volunteer his time to the local chapter of the Special Olympics and was also the president of the Glengarry Soccer League for 4 years. Mike later became president of the ADMHA replacing his good friend Billy Gebbie. Then he moved on to the Ottawa and District Minor Hockey Association (ODMHA) where was first a director, then VP, and currently president.

Somehow, Mike still found time to run a successful farm, be a longstanding member and occasional president of the Alexandria Lions Club, past chairman for the Alexandria Heart and Stroke Committee, past board member of Glengarry Community Living, member and chairman of the Alexandria and District Chamber of Commerce, and most recently president of the Alexandria Junior B Glens.

Mike was named volunteer of the year in 1992 by the Alexandria Lions Club and was honoured with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2003.