Donald Gamble, Jr.

Ottawa would be a much different place if Don Gamble Jr. had not made sports and recreation his life’s choice. From his early days until his untimely death from cancer in 1995, Don lived sports.

He was not only an enthusiastic player, but he was also a man who recognized the importance of sports, and he dedicated his life to ensuring that others had the opportunity to enjoy them.

Donald MacIntyre Gamble Jr. was born in Maxville on August 22, 1942 to parents Dr. Donald Gamble and Violet May (Lagroix) Gamble, and attended school there until grade eleven.

Don proved to be an active child. While attending school in Maxville, he played football, softball and even hockey for the famous Maxville Millionaires in the Senior League. He eventually left Maxville to attend St. Pat’s where he played hockey before moving on to Nova Scotia to attend St. Francis Xavier University, where he became a member of the St.FX University men’s varsity hockey team. Don left St.FX after two years to accept a position as Assistant Dean of Men at Kemptville Agricultural College, where he helped establish a sports program.

Despite his travelling and his new responsibilities, Don never abandoned his own personal enthusiasm for local sports as he played fastball for Kemptville and senior hockey for the Shawville Pontiacs. It would be in community athletics and recreation that Don established his legacy.

Don moved to Ottawa, where he was hired as manager of the newly opened Canterbury Centre. His natural ability to promote the organized began to attract considerable attention.

After a number of promotions, Don was appointed Director of Recreation in 1977. After that, he acted as Acting Commissioner of Economic Development, Deputy Commissioner of Community Development and Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Ottawa.

In 1988, Don reached the highest position in Ottawa recreation, being appointed Commissioner of Culture and Recreation. As the Commissioner of Culture and Recreation, Don was responsible for all the recreation facilities and staff, as well as for all the cultural venues in the city of Ottawa.

If there was a ball field, a swimming pool, an arena or a facility that had been amended, renovated or built in the last 20 to 25 years, Don probably had a hand in it. The redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, the restructuring of the Sparks Street Mall and the emergence of Triple A Baseball in Ottawa can all be attributed to Don’s tenacity and skill.

Don was also responsible for the bringing of the Scott’s Tournament of Hearts and the Brier to Ottawa. Throughout his career in Ottawa, Don still skated with several leagues in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.

He also shared his time with the Metcalfe Curing Club and the Metcalfe and District Lions Club, serving as president of both organizations. Despite enormous personal responsibilities at the office and in the community, Don still found time to coach minor hockey and co-ed softball in his adopted hometown of Metcalfe.

But it was not just in Ottawa and the surrounding district where Don donated his energy so freely. Every year at the end of July, you could always find Don in his hometown of Maxville. Most Glengarrians remember Don as the Infield Coordinator at the Highland Games.

With his father, the already inducted “Doc” Gamble Sr. being one of the founders of the Games, it is not surprising that Don would give so many years of time and effort to the Games.

Don started his 39 year commitment to the Games at the age of 13 when he helped his father with the sports in the grandstand infield. Since that time, he never missed a year, serving as Co-Chairman of sports, then as Chairman of Sports and Public Relations, a Director for four years, and then as the Infield Coordinator.

Aside from his sporting achievements, Don was also successful in his family life. He was a loving husband to his wife Gail,and father to his two children, Marcia and Don Jr.

Just recently, Don Jr. had decided to continue the legacy established by his father and his father before him to the Highland Games. Don’s dedication to sports is inspirational, and on his passing, Ottawa and Maxville truly lost the spark and the celebration of life that was Don Gamble Jr.