Oct 14, 2016 | Len Carthew | 1003 views
A Tribute to Martin VanGool
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Martin VanGool ,
Martin passed away peacefully at his home on September 28, 2016 in his 85th year,
Martin was the the last founding member of Golden Puck Committee that formed way back in the year of 1964. .
He will be missed by many family members and friends in Canada as well as in Holland. Martin was born and raised in Tilburg, Holland where he met and married Johanna in 1959. In 1960, they immigrated to Canada, settling in Wainfleet where they lived most of their lives.
Martin worked at Sunbeam Shoe Factory in Port Colborne for over 30 years. He was a caring man who loved his family and friends. Martin was a dedicated volunteer to many organizations within the community; he was involved in the Wainfleet Lions Club for over 50 years, Golden Puck Hockey for over 50 years, Wainfleet Minor Hockey Executive, Red Cross Society Driver, member of the Harbour Lite Singers, the Knights of Columbus, the Wainfleet Cenotaph Committee and the Klaverjas Dutch Card Club.
Tom Lannan recalls some of his memories with his longtime friend, Martin VanGool,
“The first time I met Mr.VanGool it was some 40 years ago at the 1976 Golden Puck Tournament. There I met a fine gentleman and a dedicated volunteer. From that time forward we hit it off. I listened, Mr.VanGool did the talking and as he reminisced about Minor Hockey, his time growing up in Holland during the War, his work at Sunbeam Shoes, his volunteer work with many organizations, but most of all, about his dear Wife and his Family.
At meetings or after tournaments I seemed to always be sitting near him to listen and learn, but most of all because he said so !!!!!!
I would say "Mr.VanGool" and he would always reply "Tom, call me Martin" and I would reply with, "OK Mr.VanGool"!! He would smile and shake his head and have a chuckle.”
In honour of Mr. VanGool's dedication to the Golden Puck since its inception in 1964,we are honoured to announce that, moving forward, the tournament will be known as "The Martin VanGool Memorial Golden Puck Hockey Tournament", and this marks our 53rd annual tournament.
Suffice it to say that the renaming of the tournament in his honour is a fitting tribute to a founding member who was not only a great person and a guy who had energy that put most members half his age to shame, but who was a driving force throughout Golden Pucks existence, especially since the "merger" between GP and the old Jaycees.
Rest In Peace Martin.