‘IT’S TO REMEMBER HIS NAME’
Tournament remembers crib player who did a lot for club
Fidell Gillis Memorial Crib Tournament being held in New Waterford.
Anyone who knew Fidell Gillis knew it wasn’t often one would find him without a crib board nearby.
Now members of the New Waterford Army Navy Airforce Club unit 217 are preparing to get a room full of crib boards out in his memory.
The 11th annual Fidell Gillis Memorial Crib Tournament is being held July 20 at 2 p.m. at the Army Navy Airforce Club in New Waterford.
Fidell Gills died March 23, 2004, at age 71.
“It’s to remember his name and what he did for the Army Navy Airforce clubs,” said Ray Gillis, Fidell’s brother and a member of the New Waterford unit.
“It was decided to have an annual tournament as he loved his crib – he was a very good player.”
He said Fidell would play in the weekly tournament at the unit, but then would always be looking to have more games.
“Whenever he’d see Johnny Gaetan around the club he’d say, ‘Lets play, lets play.”
“When he went on vacation he’d put a board in his luggage, and deck of cards.”
The tournament was first started by Gaetan - who was president of the New Waterford club at the time - to honour Fidell for all he did for the Army Navy Airforce clubs in Glace Bay and New Waterford. Gillis said the New Waterford unit was having issues and when Fidell took over as president he straightened it all out. Gillis remained the unit’s president for about 12 years. After his term as president ended, he learned the Glace Bay ANAF unit 246 was having problems and joined that club to help out.
“He became president of the Glace Bay unit and turned everything around there as well.“
Fidell was also known as a very kind man. Gillis said his brother was an avid fisherman.
“He’d fish, clean them and then go through the neighbourhood giving them away,” he said. “I think he fished in every brook in Cape Breton.”
Gillis said the tournament draws a big crowd.
Last year there were 18 tables, with 72 players. This year, 20 to 24 tables are expected.
“It’s a great afternoon. People have a lot of fun.”
He said things don’t end after the tournament. Gillis said his sisters bring down tea and sandwiches. A dance follows from 7-11 p.m. with music by First Choice.
There will be lots of givea-ways and prizes including DVDs as well as bags, T-shirts and hats from Labatt’s.
Johnny Gaetan said he played crib with Fidell for many years.
“We use to play everyday,” Gaetan said.
“We both belonged to the organization and we’d come in every day to talk about the place and play crib.”
Gaetan said Fidell was a great player.
“When he’d win he’d be as happy as a lark and would rub it in,” he added laughing.
Gaetan said after Fidell died, Fidell left him a huge collection of pins that he received through travelling for the Army Navy Fair Force Club conventions throughout Canada and the United States.
“There were all kinds of pins. He’d go to British Columbia and get one from their club and then one from the town.”
Gaetan had the pins mounted and framed.
“I presented them back to the club.”
Registration for the tournament is $10 and everyone is welcome. The event will begin with a moment of silence to remember Fidell.
A weekly tournament is held at the New Waterford Army Navy Airforce club Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., year round and everyone is welcome.