KidSport Remembers 'Magoo' with Fundraising Campaign
By Contributor
KidSport Nelson has recently received a $1,000 donation in memory of our beloved character and former committee member Gary McQuaid, who passed away recently in August 2020.
Others wishing to honour “Magoo”, donations can be forwarded to: “KidSport Nelson” at https://kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/nelson/ .
Donours should specify “Nelson Chapter” on the donation form or contact them at kidsportnelson@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
Although smaller in size, McQuaid did everything with a big heart, whether it was playing, coaching or volunteering and was a very competitive opponent.
McQuaid’s teams, realized success resulting in League and Provincial Championships at CIAU [St. Francis Xavier], WIHL [Nelson], and ASHL [Calgary] levels. At all levels, McQuaid was a scholarship student-athlete leading to his BA Degree and Professional Teaching Certificate.
Ever seeking new experiences, McQuaid was player-coach in Holland in 1969. Success continued into his coaching career, while co-coaching with Ted Hargreaves, the Nelson Leafs were lead to two consecutive Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Divisional Championships and Regular Season League first Place [1989 and 1990].
The Leafs’ accumulative records for both seasons GP – 85; W – 76; L – 7; T- 2 are team all-time records.
McQuaid’s contribution extended to coaching Nelson Minor Hockey teams from 1975 to 1985 [PeeWee to Juvenile]. With the completion of NCCP Level IV Coaching Certification, Gary became involved in the BC Hockey’s Best Ever program as coach and instructor.
McQuaid capped-off his coaching career in 2006-07 while coaching the West Kootenay Wildcats to the BC Female Midget Championship.
In addition to being a fourteen-year member of the KidSport Nelson Committee, where he will be missed greatly, he served on the Ernie Gare Scholarship Society [1990s] and Ted Hargreaves Fund [2006…]
His KidSport family misses him greatly.
KidSport is an organization which pays for kids’ sports registration fees and equipment, where financial barriers may exist, “So ALL Kids Can Play! – something that Gary McQuaid believed in passionately.
