Life before and after football
Few Canadian kids reach the CFL but Reg Boudreau of Truro made the grade
Reg Boudreau and I have known each other for quite a number of years. On occasion, we have discussed his early life. Although Boudreau did not have an easy start in life, during conversations it was obvious he held no grudges and excuses were not part of his vocabulary.
“It was a bit of a rough go as a young kid,” said Boudreau, 63, of Truro, recently. “I lived in quite a few different foster homes during my early years as a foster kid. It was hard to understand at times why I was in a certain place and there were times it seemed I was shortchanged on Christmas gifts.
“But I never let it bother me, in looking back; I must have done alright for I came out of it healthy and with a real good outlook.”
At one point, Boudreau lived in Brookfield with Roy and Hazel Kennedy and family.
“At age seven I moved to Truro and that’s when I began taking an interest in sports,” Boudreau recalled. “At the Truro Boys Club I got a lot of help and guidance from Bruce Conroy, a Truro police sergeant. The boys club had floor hockey, basketball and lots of games, it was good for me. I’d go there every day after school, it kept a guy out of trouble.”
Boudreau began playing football at age nine with the Truro Blue Bombers; he eventually played two seasons with the CEC Cougars.
“I credit CEC football coach Keith Mackenzie and the principal, Archie Robinson, they did a lot for me,” Boudreau said.
Following high school, at age 17, Boudreau received a tryout in the Saskatchewan-alberta Junior Football League with Saskatoon Hilltops. He made the Hilltops and played four seasons with the Western Canada team.
Receiving a $1,500 signing bonus, Boudreau turned professional with Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 1979.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s the young man from Nova Scotia, who had been a foster child, was living a dream.
Enjoying parts of three seasons in the CFL, Boudreau played for the Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-cats. Indeed, quite an accomplishment for the running back, slot back and kicker.
“I have no regrets when I look back at my life; getting to play CFL football is kind of a highlight for me. I feel if I’d had more support at a young age and more early encouragement, I might have gone even further in football.”
In 1982, with his football career over, Boudreau returned to Truro.
“People forget about your sports involvement almost overnight. I accomplished a bit getting to play in the CFL but there’s life after football. I had to move on and pursue another way to make a living. I couldn’t live on ‘what ifs’ so I did what I had to do.”
Boudreau had the welding trade from earlier years and had worked at the shipyards in Halifax.
“I had my A welding papers and the millwrights were looking for welders; I made the decision I wanted to become a millwright.”
Starting out as an apprentice, Boudreau eventually received his millwright papers.
“Since 1982, when I joined, I have 38 years in as a millwright,” Boudreau said. “I feel I made a good decision as far as my trade goes. I belong to local unions, this means there’s work available.”
Certified, Boudreau’s trade has taken him around the Maritimes doing mechanical work on large equipment at mills, plants and for numerous companies. These days, much of Boudreau’s work is with Nova Scotia Power Corporation.
“I’m still working, I look to work a couple more years,” he said.
A 1999 Colchester County Sports Hall of Fame inductee, over the years Boudreau has enjoyed several hobbies including gentleman’s hockey, gardening and cooking.
Reg married Ann Williams in 1987; they have three daughters Rajean, Rene and Kyesha. Reg has a son, Charles, there are five grandchildren.
“We’re looking at quite a change coming up,” Reg said. “Our house is sold, we’ll be moving to East Preston in the spring. My wife’s people are from East Preston, we’ve purchased Ann’s grandfather’s property.
“But, we’ll still be keeping closely in touch with Truro,” Reg added with a sparkle in his eye, “And I have a lot of good friends living here.”