harold ballard obituary

Harold was born and reared in Canada. Harold Ballard, hockey executive (born 30 July 1903 in Toronto, ON; died 11 April 1990 in To-ronto, ON). He was convicted of fraud and sent to Millhaven Institution. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Mr. Ballard's will may determine his heir and the next owner of the team and building. April 24, 1930 - February 27, 2023. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. - Margaret Mae Hernandez, 85, of Dearborn, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at her home. Harold Delk Jr. (2/22/23) BERTRAND, Mo. He also was the owner of the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League (1978-89), which won the 1986 Grey Cup. Failed to delete memorial. But he did more than work for his father. Ballard was reappointed executive vice president. His father was the foreman of a machinery company and his mother took in boarders. Try again later. '', Mr. Ballard never let high position inhibit his tongue or his behavior. Ballard was elected to the Yacht Club's executive committee in January 1930. Ballard became a fan of speed skating and would attend skating events and hockey games, helping to promote the Ballard skates. Ballard had once called Sittler "the son I never had", but relations between the two took a turn for the worse with Sittler's increasing prominence in the NHLPA. At first, the players welcomed Ballard behind the bench, but the mood soon changed, particularly after Ballard benched the team captain. This led to renewed criticism of Ballard's unwillingness to spend what it took to get the Leafs to the next level. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Harold Ballard (10477)? You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. His death set off a feeding frenzy that had already been begun over the iconic properties he controlled: the Toronto Maple Leafs and. They nearly duplicated that dubious achievement in 198788. All told, the Leafs only had six winning seasons in Ballard's 18-plus seasons as majority owner, and never finished higher than third in their division in any format. Growing up in Jordan, he went to St John's Catholic School for 8 years and graduated from Jordan High School in 1952. Ballard. Bill MacMillan Jr., who said he was estranged from his mother at the time of her death, recalled how protective his five-foot little nothing mom could be. Two days later, Ballard asked Neilson to return, but with a paper bag over his head so as to conceal his identity. Ballard was made president and general manager. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. ABBOTT, Harold M; 85; Indianapolis IN; 2007-May-6; Harold Abbott . Please. Keon was forced to move to the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints. Harold would pretend to be angry, then make sure she had a ticket. based on information from your browser. Resend Activation Email. The foothold was Maple Leaf Gardens, which was Toronto's lone venue for large winter events. Ballard was an owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as their home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens. He was a lifetime resident of Gary and attended Wirt High School. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. 31. A year later, they moved to the Gardens. Other notable incidents and anecdotes during Ballard's time as majority owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens include:[1]. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. [33] The purchase was the subject of a securities commission review and a lawsuit from Ballard's son Bill, but the deal stood and Stavro and his partners in MLG Ventures became the new owner of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens. 3 talking about this. Find the obituary of Rev. In 1969, painters doing over the Gardens' television booth used (perhaps unknowingly) a dozen or more of these banners to catch paint drips. [2] He installed himself as president and chairman of Maple Leaf Gardens and governor of the Maple Leafs. "Is that an act?" The players who stayed could use the threat of joining the WHA to negotiate better contracts, and Ballard always blamed the WHA for inflating players' salaries. Many fans consider the Ballard era to be the darkest period in team history. HAROLD BALLARD Years 1972-1990 Leafs record 596-736-207 Stanley Cups The skinny Sole ownership under Ballard proved disastrous both on and off the ice. Ballard's desire to control players and their salaries also put him at odds with Alan Eagleson, executive director of the NHL Players' Association and a player agent whose clients included Keon's successor as captain, Darryl Sittler. Indeed, the one story about Mr. Ballard's excitable metabolism that has been recycled more than the others over the years involves a visit to New York, where a stunned matre d' witnessed the man's gustatory feats. 30. In one instance, some time in the 1970s, the family of three along with sister Ana travelled regularly to Ann Arbor in a gold Cadillac to watch the University of Michigan football team. The only available refreshments were large soft drinks from the concession stands.[5]. Along with a sister and a brother, Mr. Ballard grew up in the towering shadow of his father's loud, blustery life. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. In 1955, she met Bill MacMillan, the son of a noted magistrate. Harold Ballard, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and a man described by his team's fact book as ''one of the most loved and hated men in Canada,'' died yesterday in Toronto. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. [25] In 1986, Ballard publicly called the Tiger Cats a bunch of overpaid losers. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. [24] Federal Labour Minister John Munrofrom Hamiltonled an unsuccessful campaign against the deal, while Bassett, having sold the Argos to William R. Hodgson by this time, was also unable to intervene. As an aide to the Canadian Olympic hockey team in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1928, he carried the national flag in the opening ceremonies. William Tyndall Sr. 1964 - 2023 William Paul Tyndall Sr., of Enid, died Monday afternoon, February 27, 2023, after an extended series of illnesses related to diabetes. Try again later. Dr. Henry Harold Ballard, age 79, of Grand Prairie, Texas passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. In 1991, Stavro paid off a $20 million loan that had been made to Ballard in 1980 by Molson. Try again later. During his tenure as owner of the Tiger-Cats, Ballard for a short time had the Tiger-Cats logo painted at centre ice of Maple Leaf Gardens in place of the blue Maple Leaf. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Nevertheless, they still qualified for the playoffs under the playoff format in use at the time. Mr. Finkelstein's True North record label and artist management company was taking off, and so he withdrew from the concert promotion game. That deal closed in 1994, and shortly after Stavro bought Ballard's shares from the estate for $34 a share or $75 million. [6] During the time Harold was in prison, his son Bill managed the Maple Leaf Gardens. Born Yolanda Babic, the daughter of Czech immigrants changed her name to Ballard in 1988, five years after first meeting the owner at the NHL clubs former home, Maple Leaf Gardens on Carlton Street, where he had an apartment. Mr. Ballard, a big, burly man with bright orange-red hair, was ''an old-fashioned pirate,'' said Conn Smythe, who ran Maple Leaf Gardens while the young Mr. Ballard was learning the business. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Sittler was apparently untouchable as he had a no-trade clause in his contract and, through his agent Eagleson, had insisted on $500,000 to waive it. Watson chose not to return the following season, and Ballard took over the coaching duties. David Blaine Steele, born in Titusville, PA on February 25, 1963, passed away February 24, 2023 one day before his 60th birthday. AGE undefined Harold Ballard North Highlands, CA View Full Report Relatives Nilajay Butler Phone Address AGE 70s The committee came to be known as the "Silver Seven". You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Harold Ballard, 86, Feisty Owner Of Toronto Maple Leafs, Is Dead, https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/12/obituaries/harold-ballard-86-feisty-owner-of-toronto-maple-leafs-is-dead.html. Failed to remove flower. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. On the second tour, in 1965, Ballard sold tickets for two shows, even though the agreement had been for only one. Born Aug. 6, 1944, at Cairo, Illinois, to the late Harold Vance Delk Sr. and Mary Cogdill Delk, he had lived in Bertrand most of his life. In his graduating year, Mr. Ballard was a student union president who helped convince the school's governors to build an athletic facility. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. [14] Eagleson called the trade "a classless act."[12]. Forward to Family & Friends; Print; Contact Support; Upgrade; Death Certificates; Share This Obituary. Even after the NHL-WHA merger was finalized over Ballard's objections, it was only the intervention of NHL President John Ziegler that finally persuaded Ballard to not reclaim Keon's rights (which would have effectively ended his career) and allow him to play three more seasons with the mediocre Hartford Whalers. Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada. Ballard's application would have required the unanimous consent of the four Eastern Football Conference owners to have been approved under the rules in effect at the time. It's probably also true that few managers would have gone to the lengths that Mr. Ballard did to serve a client. And so, at the age of 25, armed with a law degree from Osgoode, son Bill stepped in and became director and vice-president of Maple Leaf Gardens. Mr. Ballard never remarried, although he kept close company in recent years with Yolanda Ballard, who changed her name from MacMillan to Ballard in 1987. Diamond Dreams: 20 Years of Blue Jays Baseball, Stephen Brunt, p.47, Penguin Books, Date-by-date story of Gardens takeover fight,", Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League, Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission, 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, "Harold Ballard: Hockey's Miscreant Owner", "37 Year Cup Drought: The Legacy of Harold Ballard", "Harold Ballard, 86, Feisty Owner of Toronto Maple Leafs, Is Dead", CBC Digital Archives Harold Ballard Convicted of Fraud, Hockey Trade Rumors NHL Rumors from around the league 37 Year Cup Drought The Legacy of Harold Ballard, CBC Digital Archives Canada's Favourite BROAD-caster, "Black Aces: The Gutter Bin Presents More Classic Quotes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harold_Ballard&oldid=1140958443, Canada men's national ice hockey team coaches, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In August 1979, to make room for private boxes, he had. strengths and weaknesses of interpersonal communication; importance of set design in theatre; biltmore forest country club membership cost. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Make a Memorial Donation . Some information may no longer be current. Harold met the love of his life, Anne Louise Dufek during his junior year. When the Fighting Saints folded, Keon received an offer from the soon-to-be dynasty New York Islanders, but Ballard still owned Keon's NHL rights and effectively blocked that deal, forcing Keon to move to the relatively stable New England Whalers. Ballard's opposition to European players was so virulent that a Leafs scout used Ballard's time in jail to sign Brje Salming, one of the NHL's first great European players. At the end of the 197172 season, the Leafs only had three players signed to contracts for the next season: Rick Kehoe and veterans Jacques Plante and Bobby Baun. James Harold Ballard (1934 - 2019) from Charlotte, NC. Sittler will stay put at least this season," Ken McKee. Ex-Leaf Doug Gilmour looks back at the Wayne Gretzky high stick in 1993 and sees the worst officiated game you can imagine, Inside the trade of Blue Jays batting champion John Olerud, a deal former GM Gord Ash would like to have back, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Edit your searchor learn more U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Draft, Enlistment and Service View Record information. However, Ballard did not object the following year when Hodgson sold his stake in the Argos to Carling O'Keefe notwithstanding the fact the brewer also owned a team in the WHA (the Quebec Nordiques). Oops, we were unable to send the email. He played a key role in the Leaf dynasty of the 1960s, winning Stanley Cups in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967. Concert Productions International would become a hugely profitable enterprise and a game-changing innovator in full-service touring in North America. Mr. Ballard married a minister's daughter, Dorothy Higgs, who died in 1969. In the mid-1970s the NHL, facing competition from the WHA, passed a rule that players' last names must be on the backs of their jerseys. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. In his will, Ballard had left Yolanda $50,000 a year for the rest of her life, but she considered this inadequate and sued for $192,600 and later $381,000 a year. Even though the Leafs were barely competitive for much of the latter part of Ballard's tenure, every game at Maple Leaf Gardens was sold out. [11] Gregory learned of the news when he received a call from an NHL executive offering him the directorship of the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, unbeknownst to him that Ballard had fired him.[11]. Ballard was made business manager. "[25] A few days later, the Tiger Cats won the 1986 Grey Cup by beating the Edmonton Eskimos 3915 and Ballard said it was worth every penny. The low point came in 198485, when the Leafs finished the season with the worst record in the league, 32 games below .500. The tour marked the end of Ballard's career as a full-time hockey coach. Kingfisher County District Court prosecutors charged Ballard in March with two misdemeanor charges - carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and public intoxication. Ballard wasn't initially named to the committee when it was unveiled in March 1957, but took the place of Ian Johnston nine months later. Face masks are required. GREAT NEWS! He removed the Queen's picture to make room for more seats. TAMPICO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MUSEUM - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY/RESEARCH CENTER 119 Main St., P. O. I was afraid. BALLARD, YOLANDA ANNA January 3, 1933 - June 3, 2020 It is with the greatest of sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved Mother, Yolanda Ballard. Harold Edwin Ballard (born Edwin Harold Ballard, July 30, 1903 - April 11, 1990) was a Canadian businessman and sportsman. To use this feature, use a newer browser. It was the second time in three years that they had made the playoffs despite finishing with a winning percentage below .400. "His own boat was called Midnight Mischief, and it was aptly named," says John McDermott, the successful Scottish-Canadian tenor. I can see a lot of lawsuits flying around here. Their .300 winning percentage was the second-worst in franchise history. David Michael Keon (born March 22, 1940) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre.He played professionally from 1960 to 1982, including 15 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986. As a reward for his role in the purchase, Ballard was named executive vice president of Maple Leaf Gardens, alternate governor of the Maple Leafs and chairman of the team's hockey committee. Two months later, he was sentenced to nine years in a federal penitentiary. When the Leafs traded Sittler's close friend Lanny McDonald to the moribund Colorado Rockies on December 29, 1979, a member of the Leafs anonymously told the Toronto Star that Leafs management would "do anything to get at Sittler"[12] and was bent on undermining the captain's influence on the team. Ballard's solution was to make the CBC pay for the upgrade. Cremation services have been . Obituary. Harold Virgil Ballard [ 1] + 1929 - 2015 (86 years) Has 18 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree. Ballard even claimed to possess photographs of himself drinking beer with corrections officers and wearing one of their uniforms. Bill Ballard, right, with singer Tom Cochrane and music publicist James Monaco at the opening of the musical Tommy in Toronto in 1995. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He had worked early on with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell in smaller venues, but by the time CPI came into being he saw the writing on the wall. After his parole, he stated that prison life was like staying in a motel, with colour television, golf, and steak dinners. The executors of Ballard's will were Steve Stavro, Don Giffin and Don Crump. As a young man-about-town in Toronto's version of the Roaring Twenties, Mr. Ballard participated in speed-skating competitions, raced motorboats and drove a Pierce-Arrow. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Show your support Send Flowers The storied arena fell into disrepair during Ballard's tenure. While touring Europe, the Nationals were involved in several fights, both on the ice and off. Weve updated the security on the site. But Mr. Ballard became ill, called off the wedding and entered the hospital. When Hockey Night in Canadas president, Ted Hough, balked at Ballard's demands just before a broadcast, Ballard grabbed a fireman's ax and threatened to cut the TV cable unless Hough agreed to pay. Ballard booked The Beatles on each of their three North American tours from 19641966. At the time, the CFL still consisted of two autonomous conferences. She thought it was horrible, the way she was treated by certain members of the family, and she found it unfortunate they wouldnt recognize the status she had, Levitt said. ''Harold is going aboard and get that gold.''. BALLARD, Bura (WOOD); 88; Greenfield IN; 2006-Dec-27; Bura Ballard BALLARD, Dorothy L (CROWELL); ; Indianapolis IN; 2007-Jan-3; Dorothy Ballard Harold Ballard, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and a man described by his team's fact book as ''one of the most loved and hated men in Canada,'' died. Over the years, he continued to support his alma mater's Golden Hawks, and in 2009 he entered Laurier's Hall of Fame. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? He was a big fish in a big pond, his appetite was the stuff of legend and he knew all about "eat or be eaten.". herculoids gloop and gleep sounds You saw the seeds of a great promoter. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. In 1944, Ballard formed Harold E. Ballard Ltd., the personal holding company he would later use to purchase shares in Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Ballard died of a combination of factors, including diabetes, heart problems and kidney and respiratory failure, doctors at Wellesley Hospital said in a release. There is only one Mrs. Ballard and that was my mother (Dorothy, who died in 1969), said Bill Ballard, who was found of guilty of assaulting Yolanda in 1989 and fined $500. He wasn't just talk. Harold Douglas Buchholz passed away on October 12, 2021 at his home on Heart Mountain. In regard to spotlights, Mr. Ballard didn't seek them himself. SEARCH. Around that time, the Leafs had made it as far as the Stanley Cup semifinals in 1978, losing to the two-time defending champions Montreal Canadiens. To do that, Ballard bought 24% of son Harold Jr.'s shares for $25 million. [8], At the time Ballard took over, the Leafs' captain was Dave Keon, who had been with the team since 1960. When you have found an obituary of interest, you have the option of upgrading that obituary with more recent and relevant content unless the obituary is already assigned to another user. Or, as The Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt once put it, "a silver-spoon kid with survival instincts." He was not only angry at how the WHA had decimated his roster earlier in the decade, but also wasn't enamored at the prospect of reduced television revenue. BALLARD, JEAN LORENA Jean Lorena Ballard, age 90, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Rose Haven Assisted Living Center in Menahga, MN. When asked about it, Ballard replied "She doesn't pay me, I pay her. What if John Bassett had been able to buy Harold Ballards shares in the Maple Leafs? We encourage your input. When an outraged Bassett complained, Ballard demanded $3,500 for use of the lights. and denied them access to the Leafs locker room. He said it served the guy right, that it would do him some good.''. Harold Ballard Jr., son of the late owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is very self-deprecating, but that doesn't mean he isn't astute or insightful. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. "He fought for the underdog," Mr. McDermott says. Pennants proclaiming National Hockey League championships, Stanley Cup victories and other triumphs used to hang from the rafters of Maple Leaf Gardens. Try again later. Drag images here or select from your computer for Harold Ballard memorial. In 1977, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and into the Canadian Football hall of Fame in 1987. Make a life-giving gesture Mary Heuring (2/21/23) "Any time we were in trouble, and we were in trouble far more often than I'd like to remember, Harold was there for us.". Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. 03/28/1925 - 11/15/2019 . The Stellicks and Howard Levitt, a family friend and lawyer, contend Yolanda deserved the settlement. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Smythe died just six weeks later. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Box 716 Maiden, NC 28650. He trained at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) in fine arts. BROWN, NELLIE G., 95, of Eugene, Ore., died Thursday (Dec. 29, 1994) at HCA Oak Hill Hospital. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. HAROLD G BALLARD. On the personal side, Mr. Ballard was known as a lover of good friends and high times. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. With Ballard's support, Imlach moved to dismantle the roster and undermine Sittler's influence, despite many analysts viewing the team as having a promising future. Echovita is an archive of public obituaries and death notices to keep you informed about people who have passed away in your. Priestley, the narrator and director of "Offside: the Harold Ballard Story, wants Canadians to draw their own conclusions on the irascible sports magnate who also owned the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Leafs defeated the Red Wings in the final game of the season, and backed into the playoffs when the Stars lost their final game hours later. He was "Billy" to his friends, and he had many of those. When Day was busy with the Leafs and unavailable for games, Ballard would step behind the bench as acting coach. "[4], He also expanded the number of concerts, entertainment acts, and conventions booked in the building. One of them was Bernie Finkelstein, who with partner Bernie Fiedler was a major booker in Toronto in the early 1970s. Year should not be greater than current year. This proved to be a serious strategic blunder, as Smythe and Ballard controlled almost half the company's shares between them. The biggest loss was goaltender Bernie Parent, a superstar in the making, who was offered a WHA contract with financial terms far beyond what Ballard was prepared to match. Most of Harold Ballard's fortune will eventually go to charity and his female companion will receive $50,000 a year until she dies or marries, executors of his estate said Wednesday.