Sports community says farewell
Port Colborne’s Ray Leavere, called Uncle Bricky, died Saturday at age 92
The Port Colborne community is mourning the loss of a fixture in the local sports world.
Ray Leavere, also known as ‘Uncle Bricky,’ was a fixture at the former West Side Arena, running a skate-sharpening concession there from the early 1960s to the late ’80s until he handed the operation over to his son, Larry.
He died Saturday at the age of 92. “Wherever there were sports you would find Ray, whether it was boxing, bowling, baseball or hockey, he was involved,” reads his obituary.
As a child, Tom Lannan knew Leavere as a friendly face at the arena – someone who was seen as a mentor and a leader to the many young up-and-coming hockey players who needed their blades made game-ready.
“He knew all the kids – and he always treated you very well,” said Lannan, who would later continue his friendship with Leavere during his time with the City of Port Colborne’s parks and recreation department – frequently visiting him at the arena.
Leavere’s nickname comes from him simply being a positive influence on the many boys and girls who made sharp turns and stops on the ice as a result of his work.
“He was just a great friend to everybody, and you treated him like an uncle,” said Lannan.
Leavere also spent several years as a trainer and equipment manager with the Port Colborne Sailors intermediate hockey team.
In 2013, he was inducted onto the Port Colborne Sports Wall of Fame.
Mike Green, a right winger with the Sailors for more than 15 seasons, starting in the late 1950s, said Leavere was always considered a part of the team just as much as the players and coaches.
Through his friendships with the training staffs of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres, he would often provide the Sailors with game-worn equipment from the NHL teams – still in great condition.
There was one season when Leavere was given all the Leafs’ sweaters and the Sailors removed the NHL team’s crests on all of them and replaced them with the Sailors’ logo.
“He had a lot of connections,” said Green, who is now 77 years old.
Green described Leavere as a “great all-around guy” who also wasn’t afraid to stick up for this team when things got a little ugly on the ice, not shying away from the occasional skirmish.
“There would be Bricky right in there going at it,” said Green.
Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele knew Leavere since childhood as he and his father Chuck were dear friends.
When Steele’s brother-in-law Kent Kilpatrick played with the Sailors for many years – he also had the chance to spend time with Leavere.
‘Bricky was a large part of the Sailors program,” said Steele.
Leavere also battled polio for many years.
“He was a great fellow who overcame a lot of obstacles as a kid,” said Steele.
The president of Port Colborne’s minor hockey association for more than a decade, Steele said Leavere would never hesitate to help whenever he could – making repairs on skate blades in emergency situations.
“He always helped our teams – no matter what,” said Steele.
“He’d fix them up right in the middle of a game,” he added.
Leavere was also employed with the St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation.
He is survived by his loving wife Marjorie after a marriage of 70 years. Also left to mourn are seven of their eight children, Terry, Larry, Peter, Bonnie, Penny, Mark, Harry and daughter-in-law Vera. He had 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Also left to mourn is his sister Jacqueline Sewell. Ray was predeceased by his son Blaine, says his obituary.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at the Davidson Funeral Home at 135 Clarence St. on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m.