Tom Fry Sr.
| Thomas Fry Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Curling | |
| Born | 1916 Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Years in Thunder Bay | 1944–1983; at least 1985 |
Thomas Fry Sr. (born 1916) was a curling athlete and administrator who managed the Fort William Curling Club for over two decades. Thomas Fry Sr. was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 as a builder.[1]
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Thomas Fry Sr. was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on 23 September 1989 in the builder category for curling.[1]
Career and service
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 28, 1916, he first became associated with the Fort William Curling Club in 1944 as a member of a military team. He established himself as a prominent competitor at the facility, winning the club championship on multiple occasions and participating in playdowns sanctioned by the Northwestern Ontario Curling Association. His involvement transitioned into leadership roles when he joined the Board of Directors in 1951, a position he held for five terms. He later served as the club's vice-president in 1958 and held the office of president in 1959 and 1960.[1]
In 1962, he moved from volunteer leadership to professional management, taking over the operations of the Fort William Curling Club. He remained in this managerial role until his retirement in 1983. Under his supervision, the club served as the host venue for several major competitions, including the national finals for the Schoolboy, Mixed, and Ladies' divisions of Curling.[1]
His contributions to the sport extended to regional and national administrative levels. He acted as a committee chairman for the Northwestern Ontario Curling Association for 12 years and served as the Northern Ontario provincial chairman for six years. Additionally, he spent six years on the national executive body for the sport. He was also a dedicated supporter of youth development, coaching the Tom Tod Jr. rink to the National Schoolboy Finals in 1959 and establishing the Tom Fry Trophy for the junior champions at the Fort William Curling Club.[1]
Throughout his career, he was recognized with three lifetime memberships to various Curling clubs, including the Fort William Curling Club. In 1985, the Province of Ontario honored him with a special achievement award in recognition of his significant impact on the sport within the province.[1]
Residence in the Thunder Bay area (1944–1983; at least 1985) rests on the following dated evidence. He joined the Fort William Curling Club in 1944, managed it from 1962 until his retirement in 1983, and received an Ontario achievement award in 1985.[1]
Honours and achievements
- Won the Fort William Curling Club championship multiple times
- Served as President of the Fort William Curling Club in 1959 and 1960
- Managed the Fort William Curling Club from 1962 until 1983
- Coached the Tom Tod Jr. rink to the National Schoolboy Finals in 1959
- Served as committee chairman of the Northwestern Ontario Curling Association for 12 years
- Held the position of Northern Ontario Provincial chairman for six years
- Served on the national curling executive for six years
- Established the Tom Fry Trophy for the Fort William Curling Club junior championship
- Received a Province of Ontario special achievement award in 1985[1]
Associates
- Tom Tod Jr., coached his rink[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Tom Fry Sr.", builder profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/builder-profile/faa98df8-031d-41af-a740-7eb7f9b3706d (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.