At 93 years of age, Ron Bruce of Port Elgin has finally found his rightful place in the Saugeen Shores Hall of Fame thanks to the persistence of local historian G. William Streeter.
When Bruce was in high school, he earned the reputation for being an athlete extraordinaire, excelling in track and field, basketball and his passion, baseball.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that Bruce was a truly remarkable member of the community. “Ron’s story is one of athletic excellence, hard work, humility and community pride.”
“His athletic ability truly shined on the baseball diamond where he helped lead Port Elgin and Southampton teams to five Western Ontario Athletic Association Championships between 1949 and 1959. He was widely regarding by his peers as one of the finest players to ever take the field in this region and his 12th inning memorable championship home run in 1954 remains part of our local sports history. He may be remembered as a great athlete but to his family he was simply a great father and role model. He focused on family, community and a strong work ethic, Whether it was farming, roofing homes across our area for decades or sharing his love of sports with his children … he led by example. We thank him for that example and the legacy he has set for generations.”
Bill Streeter then added that when Lamont Sports Park was near completion, he and vice-Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt thought it would be “… a great idea to have an interpretive plaque illustrating the history of baseball in Port Elgin and Southampton.” In doing his research, Streeter said that, “Fred Brown, also a former local baseball player, told me to talk to Ron Bruce, the best player that ever was. I met with the Bruces and they showed me a scrapbook of Ron’s remarkable achievements. In 1948, at 15 years of age, he won all eight events at Port Elgin High School in a single day including the 100, 440 and 880 yard runs, pole vault, high jump, running broad jump, standing broad jump and running broad jump.”
The Interpretive plaque went ahead and stands today featuring Ron Bruce and Doug Huber of Southampton (Deputy Mayor Diane Huber’s father).
“Over the 10/11 year period (’49 – ’59), he played in every winning ball championship game. All the time he was playing ball, he had his dairy farm in Port Elgin. When he turned to shingling roofs, he continued that until he was in his eighties. He hiked the Rail Trail regularly up to only four years or so ago. He truly was a remarkable athlete.” added Streeter.
Bruce’s son, Barry, also spoke on behalf of the family reminding everyone that “… even for gifted athletes, time takes its toll. In February, my parents will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary and it’s been a long and loving relationship that resulted in a family of five, all now well along in life. Although I didn’t know him as a great ball player, I did know him as a great father and a hard worker on the farm that included dairy duties morning and night after which he would go play the game he loved. He also taught me the game but I did not play at his level. He supported and encouraged me and all my siblings if we were involved in a sport.”
“The lesson we learned – it was never about winning or being better than anyone. He just wanted us to try our best, have fun and enjoy whatever sport we were playing. He loved to hear about our accomplishments in sport or whatever endeavours. As a youngster, I was not aware of his accomplishments, he was just Dad. When i was in high school, I would run after school and Dad would join me … I could never beat him even though he had finished a day’s work on the farm or roofing, and I just sat at a desk in school. Now, that I look back, it was amazing.”
It was at the opening of Lamont Sports Park, that Barry learned what a great ball player his father was.
“He was modest and never talked about his accomplishments. He told stories of ball in his day, great pitchers, great plays, dirty plays, tough competitors but never about himself. What he accomplished was truly exceptional.”
“I am so pleased that the town has recognized this amazing man for his incredible athletic achievements,” said Streeter. “This honour is so well-deserved.”
