John Chafee
John Chafee John Chafee was born and raised in Summerstown, Ontario and has lived in Glengarry County for most of his life. He is an avid sportsman and has been an enthusiastic and dedicated participant, coach, organizer and supporter of local sporting events for over 50 years.
John’s skills as an athlete were demonstrated in the sports of softball, hockey and football. He learned to skate and play hockey on the St.Lawrence River at an early age. He began playing junior hockey in the Cornwall Jr. B. league and later with the Maxville Jr. B. team. He played in the Border Hockey League with Williamstown and later with the Lancaster Dodgers, winning two Glengarry Cups. Highlights while playing for the Martintown Superlites were winning the Long Sault Senior Men’s League in 1961-62 and meeting his idol Maurice “Rocket” Richard at the closing banquet. He also enjoyed success while playing in the Toronto Metro Men’s Hockey League.
While attending Char-Lan District High School, John quarterbacked the football team from grade ten to grade thirteen. The team’s finest hour was winning the first Char-Lan championship defeating Hawkesbury in 1959. His accuracy in completing passes earned him the nickname “John the Bomb”. In his final year in high school he started a junior football team program, to better prepare the rookies for the senior team.
His softball career started in 1954 when he played for the Summerstown Orioles. He later played in the Metro Toronto Fastball League and upon returning to Glengarry he played for Roberts Fuels in Cornwall where they won the championship in 1973. While playing in the Border Softball League for Williamstown he ruptured his achilles tendon thus ending his playing career. The Williamstown team won many championships during the 1980’s.
John devoted many years to coaching minor hockey, softball and broomball. One of his most memorable experiences was when his Char-Lan Peewee travelling team won the league championships and the Ottawa District play downs. He was named travelling team coach- of-the-year. Many players of that team went on to play Jr. B. hockey including his son Kevin.
John’s main contribution is his involvement in the organizing and managing of sporting teams and events for the youth in the community.
John was instrumental in reviving the Border League in the 1970’s as well as being on the executive of the Char-Lan Minor Softball Association. He was a charter member of the Char- Lan Minor Hockey Association and held various executive roles.
When the Char-Lan arena first opened, John organized and played on the Williamstown Old Timers Team, which is still in existence today.
In 1979 John became a charter member of the Char-Lan Jr. B. Rebels. He has served in the capacity of President, General Manager, or at times both, since 1981, and continues today to serve as G.M of the team. In 1986 the team won their first Eastern Ontario Jr. B. title. The team has enjoyed much success over the years and missed the playoffs only three times. John has been named General Manager of the year five times for the St.Lawrence Division and also received a recognition award from the Ottawa District Hockey Association for his many years of service to the O.D.H.A.
John has just recently retired, and along with his wife Julie, they enjoy watching their grandchildren as they participate in their various sporting events. John feels that the Char-Lan Jr. B. Rebels future is secure when he watches the children of former Rebels, including his two grandsons, display their skills.
