"There's not a remote chance I would have a career if not for Bill Ballard.". Watson chose not to return the following season, and Ballard took over the coaching duties. A member of the Leafs organization from 1940 and a senior executive from 1957, he became part-owner of the team in 1961 and was majority owner from February 1972 until his death. Ballard left his personal belongings to his children and grandchildren. Caught between a great inheritance in the sports world and an artistic career, he chose to lay bricks and paint. One of the key players in the fight was his son Bill, a major concert promoter and something of a chip off the old block what he didn't learn at Osgoode Hall Law School, his father had taught him. and spoke Slovakian as a first language. During his tenure, he repeatedly threatened to move the franchise to Toronto (70 km north). Individual Ancestors Maternal line Paternal line Descendants Relationship Connections Timeline Family GEDCOM Suggest Expand all | Collapse all Personal Information | Sources | Event Map | All | PDF Reference Your Name Here. Mary Heuring (2/21/23) All Work and All Play: A Life in the Outrageous Sport, p. 124, John Wiley and Sons Canada Ltd., Mississauga, ON, 2005. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. In Ballard's last 13 seasons, they only finished above fourth once and won only two playoff series. Burial Date: March 6, 2023. In September 1981, after Imlach had another heart attack during training camp, Ballard told the media that Imlach's poor health meant that "he's through as general manager". Yolanda Ballard, the former companion of crusty Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard who became a central figure in the circus surrounding the franchise in the 1980s and 90s, has died. "Any time we were in trouble, and we were in trouble far more often than I'd like to remember, Harold was there for us.". He was a big fish in a big pond, his appetite was the stuff of legend and he knew all about "eat or be eaten.". As a reward for his role in the purchase, Ballard was named executive vice president of Maple Leaf Gardens, alternate governor of the Maple Leafs and chairman of the team's hockey committee. "Peace is wonderful, but ", Frank Orr, Cole, Stephen. Hurt, 91, of Salem, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016. The elder Ballard, shrewd and unshockable, approved of the slaughter, seeing it as allegorical. But he did more than work for his father. Besides, what the hell position can a queen play? Please. TAMPICO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MUSEUM - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY/RESEARCH CENTER 119 Main St., P. O. The biggest loss was goaltender Bernie Parent, a superstar in the making, who was offered a WHA contract with financial terms far beyond what Ballard was prepared to match. October 12, 1925 - November 25, 2016 Salem, Virginia Set a Reminder for the Anniversary of Harold's Passing. Obituaries - Lincoln Herald - Lincolnton, NC This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. About a month later, Ballard and two friends from the Yacht club were hurled from a boat into a frigid Lake Ontario. Obituary | Harold Buchholz of Cody, Wyoming | Ballard Funeral Home Some information may no longer be current. Through the summer of 1980, Ballard insisted that Sittler would not be back with the Leafs. Soon, they were a couple. In 1985-86, they finished with a .356 winning percentage, the fourth-worst record in the league and fourth worst in franchise history. Harold Mark was born on April 25, 1935, at the birthing house in Le Sueur County to the proud parents of Lawrence and Emily (Bastyr) Beckman. Hockey Hall of Fame Team Owner. Ballard used the opportunity to name himself acting general manager and hold talks with Sittler, and the two agreed that Sittler would return to the team for the 198081 season. Ballard was a very hands-on owner who quickly became known for being irascible and cantankerous. They married in 1957 and had two children before he filed for divorce. However, many players were unwilling to sign with Toronto in any event because of Ballard's reputation. As this year's Maple Leaf press guide put it, ''He continues to defy his critics and dumbfound his detractors by basically just doing whatever he pleases, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Investigators said Ballard allegedly pulled out a firearm; shots were fired, and the 42-year-old died at the scene. Neilson did return, without the paper bag. He is 1 of 7 names to be on both the Stanley Cup and Grey Cup. Steve Stavro, who would succeed Ballard as Leafs owner 30 years later, was co-owner of the Toronto City team. The McDonald trade sent the Leafs into a downward spiral. Conn Smythe later claimed that he believed he was only selling his shares to his son, but it is very unlikely that Stafford could have acquired the millions he needed to buy the Leafs on his own. Echovita is an archive of public obituaries and death notices to keep you. Their .300 winning percentage was the second-worst in franchise history. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Ballard remained as de facto general manager even when Imlach recovered. Harold left Yolanda $50,000 a year in his will, but she also wanted a lump sum, part ownership of the family cottage and $12,000 for their dog, TC Puck. Obituaries - for Lincolnton Lincoln County, Cherryville, Stanley, Denver, Maiden . BALLA BEVERLEY - Obituaries - Winnipeg Free Press Passages Yolanda Ballard, who died in her sleep on June 3, is survived by daughter Ana MacMillan, son Bill MacMillan, granddaughter Molly and extended family, as well as longtime caregiver Astrid von Czieslik. In the early 1970s, Ballard made an application for a second Canadian Football League team to be based in Toronto, to play at Varsity Stadium. After Ballard took control during the 197172 season, one of the first challenges he faced was the creation of the World Hockey Association (WHA) as a competitor to the NHL. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. After his parole, he stated that prison life was like staying in a motel, with colour television, golf, and steak dinners. The executors of Ballard's will were Steve Stavro, Don Giffin and Don Crump. Year should not be greater than current year. Obituary: Bill Ballard, son of Leafs mogul, was an entertainment pro In 1955, she met Bill MacMillan, the son of a noted magistrate. Harrold Ballard - Ancestry.com - Margaret Mae Hernandez, 85, of Dearborn, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at her home. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Obituary indexes for Indianapolis Star-News, Marion County, IN - Vital Rec They would not post a winning record again in Ballard's lifetime, going a franchise-record 13 consecutive seasons without a winning record. They nearly duplicated that dubious achievement in 198788. Harold Ballard and Yolanda Ballard took out a marriage license last January in the Cayman Islands. Two days later, Ballard asked Neilson to return, but with a paper bag over his head so as to conceal his identity. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) has announced that deep-sea explorer and retired U.S. Navy commander Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for his discovery of the R.M.S. We are constantly trying to improve our data and make the search for obituaries as easy as possible. Face masks are required. In fact, for a short while, he stood in for him. Harold Quinten Ingram, 78, of Hickory, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday . This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Bill was born in Saint John on July 25th, 1951, son of the late Harold and Florence (nee Keir) Ballard. View Harold Edwin Ballard's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more. HAROLD BALLARD Years 1972-1990 Leafs record 596-736-207 Stanley Cups The skinny Sole ownership under Ballard proved disastrous both on and off the ice. Ballard is buried at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto with his wife Dorothy. Canadian businessman and sportsman (19031990). Ballard thus felt he had little financial incentive to sign better players. More recently, as president of Orion Capital, he ventured into mining interests. 31. I can see a lot of lawsuits flying around here. Dave "Tiger" Williams who played with the Leafs from 1973 to 1980 had a close relationship with Ballard. He was a lifetime resident of Gary and attended Wirt High School. The low point came in 198485, when the Leafs finished the season with the worst record in the league, 32 games below .500. At no time before or after his trial did Ballard show any interest in being associated with Eagleson or in having members of the Leafs play the Soviets, and the move was widely seen to be a means to generate favourable public relations. We encourage your input. He was 58. His death set off a feeding frenzy that had already been begun over the iconic properties he controlled: the Toronto Maple Leafs and. That year, they finished with a .325 winning percentage, fourth-worst in franchise history, and were only one point up on the Minnesota North Stars for the league's worst record. Try again later. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. California Obituaries - Latest Obituaries in Grass Valley California To order Try again later. Search above to list available cemeteries. What if John Bassett had been able to buy Harold Ballards shares in the Maple Leafs? Commented former Leafs' captain, Ballard had special gold medals made up for the Canadian team, after they were expelled from the, At the same postgame show, Ballard proceeded to get into an on-air argument with Dick Beddoes, which involved Beddoes saying Ballard would be better suited to guessing weights at the, For his 85th birthday party, Ballard invited Hunt, who was then with the, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 17:05. He is survived by three children: William, Harold Jr. and Mary. Born Aug. 6, 1944, at Cairo, Illinois, to the late Harold Vance Delk Sr. and Mary Cogdill Delk, he had lived in Bertrand most of his life. When his cantankerous father returned from prison, Mr. Ballard was demoted, though he stayed on the board and kept his large chunk of common stock in the company. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. By the time Yolanda walked into Harolds life in 1983, she had done jail time for perjury and been married once to a lawyer, then divorced. In the mid-1970s the NHL, facing competition from the WHA, passed a rule that players' last names must be on the backs of their jerseys. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. [24] Federal Labour Minister John Munrofrom Hamiltonled an unsuccessful campaign against the deal, while Bassett, having sold the Argos to William R. Hodgson by this time, was also unable to intervene. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Video of officer-involved shooting in Mustang investigated When Day was busy with the Leafs and unavailable for games, Ballard would step behind the bench as acting coach. When she didnt travel with the team, she would arrange for suitable food to be sent to Harolds hotel room, ensuring the diabetic would eat well. While it provided a clearer picture for fans, it caused a very sharp glare that distracted players. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Obituary Harold B. Failed to report flower. "He was in the shadow of his father and maybe I got more attention, but he was awfully sharp. "Look at what he did in that year he and Peter Larsen ran Maple Leaf Gardens," says Michael Cohl, the legendary concert promoter, who with Mr. Ballard and David Wolinsky formed Concert Productions International in 1973. Bill Ballard died of cancer on March 13 at the age of 67. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. ''He was an original, colorful and challenging individual,'' Mr. Ziegler said yesterday. Veteran. Latest Obituaries. He first gained attention in the late 1960s on the football gridiron of his alma mater, Waterloo Lutheran (now Wilfrid Laurier University). JEAN BALLARD OBITUARY. 0 cemeteries found in Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada. At age 54, Ballard was the oldest member of the group, which were otherwise all in their 30s and 40s. Toronto became a laughingstock of the. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Ballard's application would have required the unanimous consent of the four Eastern Football Conference owners to have been approved under the rules in effect at the time. The singer was nearing 40 years old and working at The Toronto Sun when he embarked on a performing career. Ballard was made president and general manager. "Maple Leaf forever? William. BROWN, NELLIE G., 95, of Eugene, Ore., died Thursday (Dec. 29, 1994) at HCA Oak Hill Hospital. After Day became coach of the Leafs in 1940, he recommended Ballard to the Leaf organization to run the Toronto Marlboros, the senior and junior teams owned by the Leafs. He wasn't just talk. With Ballard's support, Imlach moved to dismantle the roster and undermine Sittler's influence, despite many analysts viewing the team as having a promising future. Mr. Ballard married a minister's daughter, Dorothy Higgs, who died in 1969. [8], At the time Ballard took over, the Leafs' captain was Dave Keon, who had been with the team since 1960. But they were taken down (on the premise that they were obstructing some customers' views). Following the 1930 racing season, the Yacht Club sponsored a senior team in the Ontario Hockey Association called the Toronto National Sea Fleas. referee, angered a fan by accidentally knocking over the man's beer. Caught between a great inheritance in the sports world and an artistic career, he chose to lay bricks and paint. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, Stephen Brunt, p.33, Penguin Books. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Early in their relationship, the pair travelled to the Cayman Islands and met dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II and former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as well as performers such as opera star Luciano Pavarotti. Their best season in more than a decade has been the current one, during which Mr. Ballard was gravely ill and others assumed control. In regard to spotlights, Mr. Ballard didn't seek them himself. In addition to sharing the Braves with Buffalo, he had notions of a second CFL franchise and big-league baseball, too. He later reversed the names and referred to himself as Harold E. Ballard. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. I was close with (Harold) and he figured out what she was, said Gord Stellick. He was recognized for this on his citation during his 1977 Hockey Hall of Fame induction. At the time of this fight, both Mr. Ballard and Mr. Clancy were in their 70's. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? It's true that few men other than Mr. Ballard could have placed a relative novice such as Mr. McDermott on a national tour with the world's premier Celtic group, the Chieftains. In the end, they reportedly settled on somewhere between $2 million and $5 million in total, plus two seats at the Gardens. Harold Ballard in California We found 17 records for Harold Ballard in North Highlands, Inglewood and 14 other cities in California. Smythe died just six weeks later. Harold Edwin Ballard Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. The Leafs defeated the Red Wings in the final game of the season, and backed into the playoffs when the Stars lost their final game hours later. He floated the idea of bringing in the NHL's California Golden Seals into the Toronto area and much later was a failed bidder for the expansion NBA Raptors.). Even though the Leafs were barely competitive for much of the latter part of Ballard's tenure, every game at Maple Leaf Gardens was sold out. Growing up in Jordan, he went to St John's Catholic School for 8 years and graduated from Jordan High School in 1952. But Ballard did not take the unproven WHA seriously as a competitor and so was outbid on the services of several players in the Leafs organization. On the personal side, Mr. Ballard was known as a lover of good friends and high times. Most of the money was left to a charitable foundation. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). [2] The committee came to be known as the "Silver Seven". Funds were also used to renovate his Midland cottage, to rent limousines for his daughter's wedding in 1967, and to buy motorcycles for his sons (passing off the expense as hockey equipment for the Marlboros), as well as placing money belonging to the corporation into a private bank account that he controlled along with Stafford Smythe. However, Ballard did not object the following year when Hodgson sold his stake in the Argos to Carling O'Keefe notwithstanding the fact the brewer also owned a team in the WHA (the Quebec Nordiques). One particular weekend, he said, Michigan beat rival Michigan State and the local students were going wild, which stalled traffic. SEARCH. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Mr. Ballard opposed hockey games against teams from the Soviet Union, calling the Russians ''parasites and barnacles who steal our money.'' [28] However, in the end, it was a partnership of the Labatt Brewing Company, Howard Webster, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) that brought baseball to Toronto, as they were awarded an expansion team in the American League for $7 million that became the Toronto Blue Jays, who began play in 1977. Make a Memorial Donation . He was 86 years old and had spent most of the last two years in and out of hospitals because of diabetes-related heart problems. Review. Harold McKee Obituary - Peterborough, ON - Dignity Memorial ). Ballard pleaded not guilty to all charges. Angry teammates trashed their dressing room in response. Harold Delk Jr. (2/22/23) BERTRAND, Mo. Harold Ballard, 86, Feisty Owner Of Toronto Maple Leafs, Is Dead, https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/12/obituaries/harold-ballard-86-feisty-owner-of-toronto-maple-leafs-is-dead.html. Harold Ballard | The Canadian Encyclopedia herculoids gloop and gleep sounds He was "Billy" to his friends, and he had many of those. His death set off a feeding frenzy that had already been begun over the iconic properties he controlled: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the building the team played in, Maple Leaf Gardens. When you have found an obituary of interest, you have the option of upgrading that obituary with more recent and relevant content unless the obituary is already assigned to another user. I mean, he didn't get his law degree from a Cheerios box. After the owners death in 1990, however, she was involved in a bitter dispute with Ballards children Bill, Mary Elizabeth and Harold Jr. over his estate. Harold Ballard Jr., son of the late owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is very self-deprecating, but that doesn't mean he isn't astute or insightful. He had already consolidated his position by buying out his daughter, Mary-Elizabeth, for $15.5 million. Showcase your loved one's life story with a featured obituary. His father had been in the Coast Guard at the time. Luckily, the singer's slightly wounded father made to his seat in time for his spotlight moment. None of the three was wearing a life jacket. In November 1961, Conn Smythe sold most of his shares in Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. to a consortium of his son Stafford, Toronto Telegram owner John Bassett, and Ballard. However, due to playing in a division where no team cracked the 90-point barrier, they still made the playoffs. It didn't take long for one fish to devour the other, as is their nature. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Harold never gave it another thought. However, Bassett didn't force Smythe and Ballard to sell their shares, and both men remained on the board. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. Since it was a hot day, Mr. Ballard turned up the building's furnace, delayed both shows and ordered the concession stands to sell only large soft drinks. From the Toronto Star, December 3, 1969: FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. DOROTHY BALLARD Funeral services will be Friday morning at 11am at Kingsway-Lambton United Church for Mrs. Dorothy Ballard, wife of Maple Leaf Hockey Club vice president Harold Ballard. ''Harold hit him one shot; knocked him kicking,'' Mr. Clancy said in a 1984 interview. The team had a poor year with Ballard coaching, but Ballard arranged a European tour for the Nationals which included competing in the 1933 Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague. Mr. Ballard disputed the accusation, telling her at one point that if he ever did assault her, "there won't be enough left to put in a hot dog.". "He was a lovely person, and I enjoyed his company," says Mr. Finkelstein, a recipient of Mr. Ballard's largesse. In July 1979, Ballard brought his longtime friend, Imlach, back to the organization as general manager. Ballard ran his $100 million empire, which included the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Gardens, the American Hockey League Newmarket Saints and a printing company, via a holding company, Harold E . His disregard for his father's companion, the convicted fraud artist Yolanda MacMillan, made headlines when he was found guilty of assaulting her during an incident at Maple Leaf Gardens and fined $500. Harold Ballard (1903-1990) - Find a Grave Memorial "He brought in televised boxing programs and he brought in basketball's Buffalo Braves for a few games of the NBA season. Ballard's solution was to make the CBC pay for the upgrade. August 17, 2016 Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband Harold of 65 years and her son Gregory (Sharon); grandchildren, Nicole (Stephen), Eric. Ballard was an owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as their home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens. (His father had made the team's skates.) At the time, Mr. Finkelstein lived in apartment building directly behind Maple Leaf Gardens, as did musicians Murray McLauchlan and Gordon Lightfoot. Yolanda Ballard, the former companion of crusty Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard who became a central figure in the circus surrounding the franchise in the 1980s and '90s, has died. Shortly after taking control of the Leafs, Ballard stood trial on 49 counts of fraud, theft and tax evasion involving $205,000. Harold Edwin Ballard (born Edwin Harold Ballard, July 30, 1903 April 11, 1990) was a Canadian businessman and sportsman. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. As a member of the National Yacht Club, Ballard became an avid racer of Sea Fleas, small outboard hydroplanes. Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Sunday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where funeral services will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 11:00 am. He finished his sentence at a halfway house in Toronto, and was paroled in October 1973 after serving a third of his sentence. A celebration of life is planned for the Granite Club when pandemic restrictions are lifted. Yolanda Ballard, 87, played central role in Maple Leafs soap opera And I had Billy on my side.". rights reserved. Priestley, the narrator and director of "Offside: the Harold Ballard Story, wants Canadians to draw their own conclusions on the irascible sports magnate who also owned the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. [30] Even before his death, there had been battles between his children, Bill Ballard, Harold Ballard Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Flynn, and his longtime companion, Yolanda Ballard. This led to renewed criticism of Ballard's unwillingness to spend what it took to get the Leafs to the next level. . As Imlach was preparing to trade Sittler to the Quebec Nordiques, he had a heart attack in August and was hospitalized. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Add to your scrapbook. [33] The purchase was the subject of a securities commission review and a lawsuit from Ballard's son Bill, but the deal stood and Stavro and his partners in MLG Ventures became the new owner of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens.
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