A community that never stops doing
The Star’s Proudfoot Corner, we’re happy to say, is filled with Mort Greenbergs
Ask Mort Greenberg how he’s doing and he replies simply: “I’m doing.”
He doesn’t say he’s doing well because, honestly, many days Mort isn’t so well. He’s 87 years old and walking is increasingly difficult.
But that doesn’t stop him from doing what he’s done every holiday season since 1954. And that’s remembering the children whose families may need a little help to have a merry Christmas.
He sends out 350 hand-designed Christmas cards hoping that others haven’t forgotten the spirit of sharing, either.
Over the past 60 years, he has raised more than $700,000 for charities, including the Jim Proudfoot Corner of the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
It seems harder to raise money than it used to be — there’s a lot of competition for good causes and a great many longtime contributors of Mort’s vintage are gone now — but every year, just like this one, he surprises himself with what he comes up with.
He dropped by the Star building this week with a cheery “good day and good year” and his envelope packed with $8,251 in donations to help make sure needy children have a gift box to open Christmas morning.
And then, like Santa, off he went to make his next delivery. “See you next year,” he said. We look forward to it, Mort.
ON THE CORNER: It being Christmas Eve and because of the surpassing generosity of our friends, we have quite a stack of donors in need of due recognition.
We’ll confidently push off with a start in the hockey world: John Butkovichsteps back on the corner with another C-note in memory of grandfather John Butkovich, who along with Frank and Peter Mahovlich’s dad took care of the ice at the old Leaside Arena where his three great grandsons Harris, Nick and Will competed. Adds John, his granddaughter Ella took to the blades for the first time this year in (yes!) Dubai. Talking of sandy places, Robert and Barbara Martin of Wasaga Beach sent $50 in memory of Roy Gandy and former Maple Leaf Billy Harris. Bruce Hoodsent a hundred bucks with thoughts of Original Six linesman Ron Wicks, and coaching legend Roger Neilson was remembered with an additional Borden from Agra and Bob Spittel.
Andre, Marcia, Jordy, Jackson and Ryan Mackesy sent $110 in honour of their dad, father-in-law and grandfather Dr. Derek Mackesy, who has been a multiple-decade contributor to the Corner as well as a friend of Proudfoot’s. The good Doctor spent time with Jim at rinks across North America and Europe and celebrated his 80th birthday this year. The donation amount commemorates that milestone as well as the 30th anniversary of Canada’s Spengler Cup victory in 1986, where Mackesy also served as general manager. Naturally right on their heels we have a hundred-buck donation from Derek himself along with wife Helen Mackesy in memory of Marc Colvin from Huntsville. Sadly, Marc lost his battle with ALS at an early age. Marc attended St. Michael’s College and Michigan Tech, where the fine young man excelled in hockey. Mike Duggan, a former junior hockey and current old-timers referee, kicked in $50 with a challenge to his fellow whistlers to donate one game fee to “this very worthy cause.”
Elsewhere in the sporting world, Charles Scullion sent $100 in memory of his brother Art Scullion of the ’52 Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts. Bob Sturrock chipped in another $200 in memory of fellow Eastenders Football Club member Bob McKay. Danny and Sherry Gallagher sent $36 to match the number of seasons the Expos played ball in Montreal. Leaside Baseball contributed $50 in memory of a longtime member of their executive, Ed Dominico, through their leadoff man Howard Birnie, who also sent $50 in memory of his grandson Dalton Templeton.
In the Star family, former scribe Chris Zelkovich’s $100 came in memory of our much-missed Randy Starkman. Alum Alfred Hilton, chum to Dave Perkins and Randy Starkman, contributed another $200. Retired Star editor Rick Haliechuk matched that total with another nod to Perkins and all the men and women of the Star sports depart- ment. Bob Burt, who worked our bustling city desk, contributed $150 again in memory of former Star confreres, friends and fishing buds Brad Henderson, Bill Harper and Wayne Braun. And erstwhile deputy sports editor Patrick Ho, now a breaking news maestro, added another $150 in honour of Jason Kurpel, who has done the crucial task of compiling the names of the loyal readers who have donated to Proudfoot Corner the past few seasons, and who cheekily writes about himself in the third person.
More friends of Jim (Chester) Proudfoot chimed in. Brothers John, Bill and Jim Fielding sent $1,500, ensuring a merry Christmas for many deserving children. They remember their brother Peter, with John adding Chester would have loved Mark Zwolinski’s article about him. Joan Franklin made a $50 donation as is her wont in memory of Proudfoot, who went to all the same schools (Chester’s dad also taught them) as her fellow Kearney, Ont., native. Great friend to the children Syd Cooper sent another $500 in memory of Jim Proudfoot, former NHLer Rhys Thomson, and pal Harry Sherkin.
A couple of longtime readers remembered Proudfoot and fellow writer Milt Dunnell with their donations. Kevin Bazkur sent $100 from “The Beautiful Bay of Quinte Region” saying he enjoyed our tributes to the two legendary journos. And Ingrid and Gord Harrison added $250 in memory of the two sportswriters and on behalf of the new athletes in the family, grandkids Erin, Eve, Joshie and Emilie.
Moving out into the broader media world, Bruce O’Neill sent $50 in memory of parents Pat and Harry O’Neill, his former Toronto Sun boss George Gross, and former Sun colleague Rick Fraser, who also plied his trade at the Star and elsewhere. Fraser could conjure a great story in a flash and under deadline, says Bruce. Sportsnet commentator Rob Faulds remembered MLB pitcher and broadcaster John Cerutti along with his wife Andrea, as well as Tom Cheek, “two terrific gentlemen.” And Glenn B. Powell of the CBC National Radio Newsroom’sOl’ Fartsconsortium passed the hat around once again and pulled out $312 for the kids.
Staying with that thought, the Old Farts Poker Club passed a different hat around again and came up with $415 for underprivileged children. It was sent in memory of departed members Bruce Milne, Carl (Buck) McConnachie, Ron Sabourin, Len Hall and Vern Sabourin through head man Jim Fitzgerald. Jim also sent $100 in memory of boyhood friend and Argo buddy Doug Roberston, who passed away 19 years ago. Another group we like to see is Sandra Hood and her Kingsway Platform Tennis Club’s ladies section. The Paddlers netted $100 at a raffle during their We Try Harder tournament, which they passed along to the Fund. And the reliable Toronto Over-50 Hockey League dutifully sent $550 through Joseph Sutherland.
In lieu of gifts, Barbara and Duncan Towe sent $300 on behalf of friends at the newly-formed Parish of St. Peter and St. Simon. And another regular, Amy Mariko Peters, donated $150 as her annual Christmas gift for Grandad from JAKS, Chase and Tuscan.
Plenty of donations were from and for younger generations. Michael Shook sent $300 on behalf of his grandkids. Gwen and Fred Gauthier added $100 for grandchildren Margot, Adelaide and Jack. George Dealhoy stacked up a pretty sweet $400 on behalf of 3-year-old granddaughter McKinlay and grandson Jonathan. The tots are Toronto sports fans in the making, George writes. Bill and Carol Creber sent another hundred for Emma, Hannah and Julianna Miller. Regular Larry Bertuzzi sent $500 in honour of father (Bert) Bertuzzi, and another $34 from grandchildren Liam, Ryann, Egan, Hugh and newborn Kevin. That’s the sum of the children’s ages, who are laudably getting into the spirit early in life. Bob Annis had another $400 on behalf of grandchildren Mac, Emily, Carson and Ella, who donate in memory of their loving grandmother Mary Jo. Shirley Sano sent a crisp hundred to the Fund in honour of the Sano grandchildren. Peter McBride donated $40 for the 38th year in a row on behalf of his kids: Amanda, Kelly, Andy and Megan. And Ed and Christine Dickson sent $100 in honour of their five sons: Tyler, Aaron, Christian, Nathan and Zachary.
Giving back is a great way to re- member our departed loved ones at Christmas, and many a philanthropic soul did just that through the Corner. David and Kathleen McCarthy sent in $250 in memory of “Fast Eddie” Murphy, who as a young tyke receive a Star Box from the Santa Claus Fund and always remembered. Ernie Dubrowski contributed $100 “in loving memory of Mom and Dad, Pearl and John, and our dearly missed brother Jack,” Roy and Diane Chapman sent $100 in memory of Elizabeth Smith, Ted Tuszynski kicked in $115 in memory of his mother, Nadia Vicente remembered Michael Kleine-Hermelink with $150 for the kids, and Elisabeth Stewart added $50 to the Corner’s cause in memory of Sally Dalrymple. Doreen and Ken Chevis sent in $300 in memory of their daughter Lori and friend Marvin Appleton. Lance and Barbara Ridehalgh remembered Bill “Arch” Archibald and Alan Christie remembered Mike Meredith with $100 each.
Minna Stirrup returns with $300 in memory of her late husband Ralph Stirrup, himself a longtime contributor to the Corner. Kerry Peters kicked in $50 in memory of great friends Mike Standen and Gord Cude. Sean Koukal sent another C-note on behalf of his sons Riley and Coby in memory of their grandpa Harry Koukal, as did Barbara and Douglas Dixon in memory of Baby Kevin and Sister Doris. Also with $100s are Jack Wilson in memory of Jackie, Doug, and Don, Pat and Ian Huffman in memory of John “Peanuts” and Catharine O’Flaherty, Duncan and Elaine Durham in loving memory of their son Chris, and Wayne and Heather McMullen who remember Uncle Alfred and the days of Sunday double-headers at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Tyler Newman sent in a symbolic $78 in the memory of his father Gord Newman who would have been 78 this year. Gord walked unannounced into Jays spring training in ’78 and started taking pictures before pitcher Mark “The Bird” Fidrych stopped him. Gord told him he was with the Brampton Guardian and he must have looked the part because the hurler looked him over and let him carry on. Tyler and Gord attended Jays opening day later that April. Dr. Robert Pick sent $200 in mem- ory of Dr. Peter Luckacko, a great fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns, tennis buddy Peter Fairbrother, and brother David Forbes Pick, whose favourite hockey player was Davey Keon. Joseph Cira’s $100 was in memory of Brian Higgins, and Barry Landon’s $100 came in memory of Fred “Buck” Landon who passed away in October of this year. Regular contributor John Charalambous sent $100 in memory of his uncle Andy Charalambous, a long time horse owner and horse racing fan, and another hundred came from Kazuo Nishimura in memory of Alyce Nishimura. Marie and Michael Bray added $50 to the cause in memory of Marie’s sisters Frances and Philomena, as did George Bigliardi in memory of his good friend Jim, and Paul Grise in memory of Al and Ken. Adam and his sister Amanda Morier sent us another $100 in honour of Douglas Uttley and Paul Morier, their late grandfathers who were veterans of World War Two.
Frances Henderson sent $25 in memory of Merritt Henderson, Allan Davis had $200 in memory of Ronald Davis, and Glenn Davis had a $100 in memory of Mum and Dad, Anne and Fred Davis as well as brothers Alan and Brian. David Kirkland sent $100 in memory of his wife B.A. and Gertrude Long added another in memory of “our nephew, brother, aunt, and brotherin-law who all passed away leaving a large hole in our hearts” with hopes that her donation will bring joy to deserving children. Randy Goldman tossed in a nice $250 in memory of Michael Narine and beloved dog Pepper. Old friend of ours Jeane Elder sent $200 more in memory of rugby man Bob Elder, and a new friend in Chet Maslanka, christened Chester, added $50 in memory of his wife Judy who passed on last Christmas. Gordon and Nadine Smith sent $300 in memory of their daughter Sari, who strongly believed in helping those in need. Worden Teasdale had a much-appreciated $500 in memory of daughter Kathryn Teasdale, who passed away suddenly on June 2. Kathryn was a retired race car driver who was always helping children, particularly the Special Olympics, along with her friend Jerry Howarth. Also thinking of Kat are her sister Karen McLellan and Brittney Teasdale. Marilyn Johnson sent us $40 in memory of Caroline Jones, and Jim Elipoulos sent $75 in honour of “my guardian angel” Jake Elipoulos and long-time youth coach Harry McAloney. And Patricia Potter had a cool $200 in honour of her husband and favourite 5 pin bowling Hall of Famer Ernie Hughes, who is looking forward to his 100th birthday on May 15th. John and Mary Ann Newediuk sent us $250 with thanks for supporting Chester’s tradition. With $200s are friends of the Corner Mark and Elaine Hughes, and Howard and Lily Harvey. $300s came from D.M Castro, Yuri Kula, and Violet D’Albenas, who also sends everyone wishes for the New Year. Paul Bottos sent $100 for Teresa D’Antonio, as did David and Maureen Plaskett, Graham and Susan Wise, Jacqueline and Lloyd Turbitt, Angus J. and Doreen Russell, Glenn Duncan, and John Kane, who sent his in memory of Chris Photoff. Fifties flew in from Mike Gonneau, Margaret Proudfoot, and Bob and Dixie Jones. Lorna Leibovici sent us $36, Allan and Jean Scott and Ronald and Donna Eaboni added a brace of $25s, Barb Robillard had $20 more, and Stuar Keir topped us up with $54.
A triplet of anonymous donors graced the children with some nice sums. $300 came in memory of Joe Feinstein who held it down for the Corner in Bangkok for almost 20 years. A very merry $2500 came in recognition of Dave Perkins and his always insightful slant on the world of sports, and another anon out of Thornhill gave us one more sweet C-note. Finally, regular contributor Lorne Glass dropped by just as we were coming to this sentence with a $360 cheque for our campaign. His donation comes in memory and in honour of his parents. Lorne says that, yes, he still reads the sports section first, and he thanks The Star crew for our writing and reporting in his note.
In turn we would like to extend our kindest thanks to him and everyone else who came by the Corner this year to make the holidays that much brighter for the children in our community.
And we wish for you and yours the very, very best. Merry Christmas!