In the Spring of 1988, I was working for a small weekly newspaper in Aylmer, Quebec. The owner actually had 4 publications running across the Western Quebec region. My job was to sell advertising, design the ads, write a weekly column and anything else the owner could find me to do.
It was then that I first met a gentleman by the name of Paul Sabourin. He was writing up city sports stats for the Aylmer Bulletin the day I started. Sporting an obvious toupee with a black and white "Wychwood Warriors" baseball cap (which I think may have melded together over time into one hat with hair), he welcomed me into the back offices of my first newspaper job.
Paul was a sports fanatic. He loved all sports, loved watching them, playing them, analyzing them and talking about them. To him, mankind showed its best side when competing in sporting events.
He wasn't the type that wanted to give a medal to everyone for simply showing up, but he did feel kids should be given some sort of encouragement - even if they didn't win a batting title, a championship, or score 20 goals a season. This was his raison d'être! He wanted to ensure young people enjoyed playing sports and saw their names in the weekly newspaper.
Paul knew a large amount of people here that wanted summer recreation, and the competitive leagues were simply not the place for novice or recreational players. I believe it was 1983 or 1984 when he took the plunge and started the "Coors Light 3 Pitch league". With a small sponsorship from The Molson Brewing Company, and 6 teams, his Aylmer sports journey began.
In 1988, when Paul and I met, we had an instant connection. We both loved sports, both had lived or grown up in the area (in my case) playing sports and watching them, and we both loved writing. We became acquaintances and friends and stayed that way throughout the years.
Well, after several seasons working for the local newspaper, I had learned all I could (or so I thought), and ventured out to start my own publication (The Outaouais Informer). With a partner and a few contributors, we published our very first issue in April 1989. Things changed radically and quickly over the next 6 months. My partner realized we were not getting rich and quit, contributors, who - initially were gun-ho, became less-and-less interested in meeting deadlines. After 12 or 13 editions, amid despair and thoughts of closing up and finding a job, I was in turmoil, "Wow, only 6 months in, we have a following, are getting known and popular and I can barely publish an 8 page publication," I thought - (likely out loud) that the end of the business was near.
Well, it was the bottom of the ninth, there were 2 outs and I was facing a full count, what did I have to lose? I accepted his offer and - well, we kept publishing. Newspaper sales went up and up and up, advertising rates were adjusted. We became the go-to newspaper in town when it had to do with sports.
I offered Paul a share in the business, a meager salary and any profits he could muster from newspaper store and box sales. He readily agreed.
Later, we (The Informer) formed a team and entered it into his 3-pitch league. We had such a following, thanks to Paul - and his sports section that we were able to enter 2 teams in the league the following season.
Paul - was bigger than life. He was always laughing. I rarely ever saw him in a bad mood or not telling a joke. He would walk into the office with a notebook or binder filled with scrap pages, and immediately start making jokes about the Leafs, or the "Big Bad Bruins". Then he would start riffling through his notes and get his columns or sports stories written.
From 1990 - 1995 The newspaper business thrived thanks to Paul, and my new partner Tony Ruffo and his amazing wife Kay Ruffo. Paul and the staff were always busy coming up with new events, new promotions, new ideas. Paul's reputation in Aylmer also grew exponentially. His league had grown to 16 teams, a season stretching from May until September, large banquets with literally hundreds of players and a board of directors with 7 members.
Running the 3-pitch league actually took a toll on Paul and in May of 1994, he came to me and asked me if he could quit his position and simply send in stats.
Of course, that was Paul. Anyone else would have come into my office and simply said - "I'm quitting," but not Paul - he asked! Of course I said 'no' and that was the end of the discussion. But that simple gesture - of asking - made me realize how selfless this man was. I think I must have had a smile from ear-to-ear as he said "okay" and walked back out of the office.
One particular softball tourney, had the CJOH NO Stars show up, with celebrities such as Max Keeping, former NHL player Brian Smith and former Ottawa Rough Rider Ken Evraire. This one game and afternoon netted the Aylmer Food bank $1600 in cash and about 75 boxes of canned goods.
Note: this was 23 years ago; my memory may not be 100% accurate as to who was there.
Paul also helped organize several Winter Carnival events - including a ball hockey tournament in the middle of an outdoor shopping centre parking lot (Glenwood Plaza - prior to the fire) and during one of the coldest January's I can remember. Players would change equipment in the Mr. Mugs coffee shop, literally buying coffee by the pot and hot chocolate by the gallon to stay warm during the festivities.
One of our proudest moments was when The Informer staff took on the Ottawa Sun Sports Staff at the old Aylmer Arena in a charity game - with all the proceeds going to L'Autre Chez Soi (The Women's Shelter). Our sports staff (which had grown to a large number of contributors by then) took on the likes of Jane O'Hara, Earl McRae, Ervin Budge (Budgie) and a number of other Sun celebrities. We sold literally hundreds of tickets for the game, received countless donations and ended up giving the charity a cheque for over $5000.
Paul also started an (unofficial) broom ball league, where many of the 3-pitch players could get together, form some teams, and have an hour of fun during the cold winter months.
He wasn't a saint, there were rumblings about league money not being accounted for, he resigned as President of the league a few years later, but I knew it wasn't about money being taken - but rather - simply a weakness in book-keeping. Yet, even after resigning - he didn't hide from the spotlight. He continued to organize and play and stay involved in Aylmer's community.
In January 2017, Paul Sabourin passed away after a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old. His age shocked me, as he was as active as any 40 year old. Ten years ago, he could be seen on the ball field, playing the occasional game (as a spare mind-you) and even when not playing he was still hanging around at the ball fields, talking to the coaches, watching his children and grandchildren and always laughing.
Even as he neared the end, he was still the same Paul I knew. Just days before Christmas he was wishing others a Merry Christmas on Facebook, never showing how sick he truly was. We had several recent conversations (online) and he never once mentioned he wasn't well.
Paul was a devoted and proud family man, often speaking at length of how proud he was of his daughters and son and their children. I often saw him at his grand daughter's (Katherine) baseball games cheering her and the team on.
During my 11 years coaching baseball, I occasionally asked him to be an assistant coach with me. He always refused, not that we didn't get along, but rather the opposite. He always said, "I wouldn't want to strain our friendship if either one of us made a judgement call that hurt the team or a players development," he said. "You know the game as well as anyone, better than most, I can't be any help."
The softball league he started in the early 1980's still exists today, after 34 + years of team and player changes. It is in fact, one of the most popular 3-pitch leagues in the entire region, if not the province. Many of the original players moved on to take organizational positions on the board.
I think what I remember most was one Christmas - in 1994 - I think, the newspaper had organized a dinner for the homeless and needy at a local restaurant on Christmas Day. Knowing Paul had always loved Christmas and family as he did, I didn't expect him to show up to serve people a turkey dinner. Yet, from mid-afternoon to early evening - Paul Sabourin - sports editor, family man, was serving plate after plate of food like a waiter on steroids.
His 3-pitch league has now grown to have a recreational division, comprised of 10 or so teams and a competitive division - for those who need the edge. Paul's legacy of being the carefree guy with a smile and a joke, a loving father, and his endless knowledge of local, national and international sports lives on in this league.
Paul will be sorely missed from the Aylmer community. His years of selfless effort on behalf of others is rarely seen in today's society.
I am proud to have called him a friend and shared many years of my life with him - both in business and in sport.
As Paul used to say as he was leaving work for the day;
Paul has left the building.
 |
| Paul Sabourin, 1940-2017 |
Paul was a sports fanatic. He loved all sports, loved watching them, playing them, analyzing them and talking about them. To him, mankind showed its best side when competing in sporting events.
He wasn't the type that wanted to give a medal to everyone for simply showing up, but he did feel kids should be given some sort of encouragement - even if they didn't win a batting title, a championship, or score 20 goals a season. This was his raison d'être! He wanted to ensure young people enjoyed playing sports and saw their names in the weekly newspaper.
The Early Years
In the early 1980's, Paul had started a 3-pitch league in Aylmer. This was one of the first mixed 3-pitch leagues in the province, possibly even in Canada. Although the game of softball has hundreds of modifications, most leagues had focused on competitive sports and teams. There were few recreational leagues around at the time.Paul knew a large amount of people here that wanted summer recreation, and the competitive leagues were simply not the place for novice or recreational players. I believe it was 1983 or 1984 when he took the plunge and started the "Coors Light 3 Pitch league". With a small sponsorship from The Molson Brewing Company, and 6 teams, his Aylmer sports journey began.
In 1988, when Paul and I met, we had an instant connection. We both loved sports, both had lived or grown up in the area (in my case) playing sports and watching them, and we both loved writing. We became acquaintances and friends and stayed that way throughout the years.
Well, after several seasons working for the local newspaper, I had learned all I could (or so I thought), and ventured out to start my own publication (The Outaouais Informer). With a partner and a few contributors, we published our very first issue in April 1989. Things changed radically and quickly over the next 6 months. My partner realized we were not getting rich and quit, contributors, who - initially were gun-ho, became less-and-less interested in meeting deadlines. After 12 or 13 editions, amid despair and thoughts of closing up and finding a job, I was in turmoil, "Wow, only 6 months in, we have a following, are getting known and popular and I can barely publish an 8 page publication," I thought - (likely out loud) that the end of the business was near.
The Informer Years
This is when Paul and I reconnected. He offered to give (The Informer) exclusive sports stats from the leagues he was involved in. He offered to talk to coaches and get them to submit scores, reports, photos and more each week. He offered to write the articles and submit them every week, and he didn't want to get paid!Well, it was the bottom of the ninth, there were 2 outs and I was facing a full count, what did I have to lose? I accepted his offer and - well, we kept publishing. Newspaper sales went up and up and up, advertising rates were adjusted. We became the go-to newspaper in town when it had to do with sports.
I offered Paul a share in the business, a meager salary and any profits he could muster from newspaper store and box sales. He readily agreed.
 |
| One of Paul's last Sports Sections before The Informer closed it's doors in June 1995. He refused to believe the company would close and wrote as if the next edition was coming out on time. |
Paul - was bigger than life. He was always laughing. I rarely ever saw him in a bad mood or not telling a joke. He would walk into the office with a notebook or binder filled with scrap pages, and immediately start making jokes about the Leafs, or the "Big Bad Bruins". Then he would start riffling through his notes and get his columns or sports stories written.
Running the 3-pitch league actually took a toll on Paul and in May of 1994, he came to me and asked me if he could quit his position and simply send in stats.
Of course, that was Paul. Anyone else would have come into my office and simply said - "I'm quitting," but not Paul - he asked! Of course I said 'no' and that was the end of the discussion. But that simple gesture - of asking - made me realize how selfless this man was. I think I must have had a smile from ear-to-ear as he said "okay" and walked back out of the office.
Always trying to help the less fortunate
Paul was not only a sports enthusiast, but he was also very involved in the community and various charity organizations. On a regular basis, he would be seen making plans to host or organize various charity events. He organized a host of 3-pitch tourney's, where the entry fee included a minimum of 1 can of food per person plus a percentage of the team fee being given to the food bank.One particular softball tourney, had the CJOH NO Stars show up, with celebrities such as Max Keeping, former NHL player Brian Smith and former Ottawa Rough Rider Ken Evraire. This one game and afternoon netted the Aylmer Food bank $1600 in cash and about 75 boxes of canned goods.
Note: this was 23 years ago; my memory may not be 100% accurate as to who was there.
Paul also started an (unofficial) broom ball league, where many of the 3-pitch players could get together, form some teams, and have an hour of fun during the cold winter months.
He wasn't a saint, there were rumblings about league money not being accounted for, he resigned as President of the league a few years later, but I knew it wasn't about money being taken - but rather - simply a weakness in book-keeping. Yet, even after resigning - he didn't hide from the spotlight. He continued to organize and play and stay involved in Aylmer's community.
In January 2017, Paul Sabourin passed away after a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old. His age shocked me, as he was as active as any 40 year old. Ten years ago, he could be seen on the ball field, playing the occasional game (as a spare mind-you) and even when not playing he was still hanging around at the ball fields, talking to the coaches, watching his children and grandchildren and always laughing.
Paul was a devoted and proud family man, often speaking at length of how proud he was of his daughters and son and their children. I often saw him at his grand daughter's (Katherine) baseball games cheering her and the team on.
During my 11 years coaching baseball, I occasionally asked him to be an assistant coach with me. He always refused, not that we didn't get along, but rather the opposite. He always said, "I wouldn't want to strain our friendship if either one of us made a judgement call that hurt the team or a players development," he said. "You know the game as well as anyone, better than most, I can't be any help."
His Legacy
I think what I remember most was one Christmas - in 1994 - I think, the newspaper had organized a dinner for the homeless and needy at a local restaurant on Christmas Day. Knowing Paul had always loved Christmas and family as he did, I didn't expect him to show up to serve people a turkey dinner. Yet, from mid-afternoon to early evening - Paul Sabourin - sports editor, family man, was serving plate after plate of food like a waiter on steroids.
His 3-pitch league has now grown to have a recreational division, comprised of 10 or so teams and a competitive division - for those who need the edge. Paul's legacy of being the carefree guy with a smile and a joke, a loving father, and his endless knowledge of local, national and international sports lives on in this league.
Paul will be sorely missed from the Aylmer community. His years of selfless effort on behalf of others is rarely seen in today's society.
I am proud to have called him a friend and shared many years of my life with him - both in business and in sport.
As Paul used to say as he was leaving work for the day;
Paul has left the building.
Comments
Post a Comment