Big Dawg had one-of-a-kindness
Legendary Canadian track coach Fairall remembered for the way he treated people
Brian and Sallie O’Rourke knew Dennis Fairall when he was a backup guard at his Tillsonburg, Ont., high school.
“He always had a smile on his face,” Brian O’Rourke said of Fairall, who was a good basketball player but went on to become one of the most legendary track coaches in Canadian university sports history.
The O’Rourkes — high school teachers for 30 years in Tillsonburg — remember the fun times with Fairall when he was young, and remember him now with their annual donation to the Proudfoot Corner of the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
“He was a great player, but he played behind Bruce Coulthard,” Brian O’Rourke said, referring to one of the sons of Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Coulthard.
“Bruce went on to play with Canisius College in Buffalo, but he came back when Dennis was the leader of our basketball team. Dennis played an incredible game in the championship game against Westminster, and Bruce saw the game. Afterwards, he came up to me and said the kid (Fairall) played a great game. I said, ‘Yeah,’ and Bruce said, ‘You shoulda played him more when I was here.’ We both had a good laugh.”
Fairall passed away last November at the age of 67, after a track and cross country career at the University of Windsor during which he was named coach of the year, either provincially or nationally, 65 times.
Fairall also coached Canada at the World University Games four times, and was a longtime coach and mentor to Canadian 800-metres record holder Melissa BishopNriagu.
Fairall was Big Dawg to his athletes, and Bishop-Nriagu never hesitated to include Fairall as one of the biggest contributors to her international success.
But he was also remembered for the way he treated people. The O’Rourkes recognized Fairall’s kindness from the time he was in Grade 8.
Like many donors to the Proudfoot Corner, they dedicate their donations to family and people, especially with the spirit of giving arriving with the Christmas season.
Now in its 116th season, the Star Santa Claus Fund and the Proudfoot Corner continue a tradition of helping disadvantaged children at Christmas.
The goal is to raise $1.5 million, which goes toward the distribution of 50,000 gift boxes to children 12 and under. The fund will once again join forces with The Mississauga News, the Brampton Guardian and Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser.
■ In the Corner: This week’s donations to the Proudfoot Corner begin with $250 from the Huggard family of Toronto, $100 from Betty Jacobs of North York, and $100 from Bill and Carol Creber of Georgetown, all of whom are returning donors …
Bill Churchill of Kingston gives $200 ... David Langill of Toronto adds $300… Mateo Abbona of Burlington and Maggie Hayes of Toronto donate $100 … Another $100 comes from Andrea Mackesy, in memory of former NHL coach and general manager John Muckler, “a wonderful coach to so many during his life and career … Our $50 donors include Michael Kudrac of Toronto,
Tom Giannoukakis of Unionville, on behalf of Athan ...
Elisabeth Stewart returns with a donation of $100 in memory of Sally Dalrymple … Longtime Corner supporters Tom and Sandy Cloutier give $200 … Brenda Massey-Beauregard and daughter Devon give $100 in memory of Stephen Beauregard, “a wonderful husband & father” and a former Proudfoot donor … Steve and Carla Moysey of Mississauga chip in $100 … And Bri- an Deegan returns to the Corner with $333 on behalf of Diane, Ad- am, Andrew, Lauren and Sean. Thanks to all.