Bob the builder
Bob McLaren, right, with Trent Jackson of the St. Catharines WMKL Athletics in 2001 after the A’s had won the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League championship. Photo: BOB McLAREN.
When Bob McLaren was informed he was chosen to be part of the 2024 class to be inducted into the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, he wasn’t sure if it was a mistake.
“These guys did not give me a heads up, did not tell me one damn thing,” the 69-year-old St. Catharines native said. “I did not know anything.
“I was taken by surprise.”
Even a call from hall of fame chair Peter Partridge Jr. asking him if he would accept the nomination had McLaren briefly questioning if he was worthy.
“Are you sure I should be going? I think there’s at least six other guys that can go in there before me,” McLaren told Partridge.
After being informed past prospective inductees had turned down nominations, McLaren knew he didn’t want that to be his legacy.
“I’m not going to say no,” McLaren told Partridge. “Why would somebody say no?”
While McLaren initially may have wondered if he was worthy of induction, anyone who ever crossed paths with the man affectionately known as “Nusty” knew it would be a huge oversight if he were not included.
McLaren is being inducted as a builder in hockey, lacrosse, baseball and rowing. His accomplishments are well known and numerous but only tell part of the story.
McLaren was the guy who helped the kid out of a tough spot with his parents, buffered a screw up at school, aided a down and out player both at the rink, and often times and more importantly, away from the rink.
McLaren was a rock, the tough uncle who might scold you when you screwed up, but would go to war for you if you were in trouble.
When Todd Zavitz joined the St. Catharines Rankin Construction Falcons in 1989, he quickly formed a bond with McLaren, then the team’s general manager. Thirty-five years later the two are still close.
“Bob’s tireless efforts in being the best himself and expecting the best from his students/players was over and beyond,” Zavitz wrote in his letter of nomination for McLaren. “Bob would give anything off his back to help out anyone in need of anything, he was my mentor and valued his knowledge and pursuit of excellence.”
Zavitz and McLaren re-connected a few years later with the St. Catharines WMKL Athletics junior A lacrosse team where Zavitz’ two sons played and McLaren was the equipment manager.
“Bob’s title needs to be clarified and explained as he was so much more than that,” Zavitz wrote. “Bob made sure everyone respected each other, played for each other and made sure the room and bus were spotless because that’s the way Bob ran his show, and everyone listened. Bob was first to the rink and last to leave the rink. Bob embodied the spirit of what I believe you call your R-Zone policy long before the city put it in effect.
“The impact and legacy this man has in St. Catharines spans over five, maybe six decades. It wasn’t just hockey and lacrosse. His commitment to the City of St. Catharines Fire Fighter Association compliments his integrity and how he always went over and above to make a moment the best he could.”
I will add two personal accounts in an attempt to convey the kind of man Bob McLaren is.
Several years ago, while working at the St. Catharines Standard, a situation occurred where a member of their executive, after being interviewed and reading a story I had wrote, didn’t like the way it came out and quickly backtracked, saying the interview was off the record.
It was a lie to try and save face and it needed to be addressed.
McLaren called me down to his office before a game and it was a typical Bob McLaren no nonsense chat.
“Billy, was that interview off the record?”
“Absolutely not,” I replied.
“That’s good enough for me. Go.”
He took me at my word and I appreciated the trust. Years later, that incident still sticks with me.
Several years later, I showed up at an A’s practice, said hello to Bob and broke down. I was going through a tough time at home and for some reason, my emotions got the better of me.
But Bob being Bob, took me aside and quickly assured me it was OK. I was embarrassed — after all, I was there in a work capacity — but Bob made it all go away with a few words.
“You need anything, you call me,” he said.
I knew it was a sincere gesture and exactly what I needed to hear at the time. It was an act of kindness I will never forget.
That’s Bob McLaren.
McLaren, whose list of accomplishments is far too long and detailed to get into in this forum, is also a fighter.
He is battling multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, as well as myxopapillary ependymoma, a slow-growing and usually benign tumour that affects the spinal cord.
McLaren had surgery to remove part of the tumour which has given him significant relief and he has responded favourably to treatment for the blood cancer. Next up is chemotherapy.
“This thing has left me with a brain fog,” he said. “You know, and it’s like it can be here for two days, it can be here for two months.”
So McLaren has good days and sometimes not so good days.
He has been buoyed by overwhelming support from family and friends. He has grown close with Tom Rankin and often spends time at their family farm fixing and painting fences.
“He’s got like 70 horses up there and I swear to God, every one of those horses know who I am, know that maybe I’m sick or something,” McLaren said.
The farm time is a welcome respite.
“Yeah, there are challenging days and I’ll be honest with you, it’s who I am, I’m not going to be a burden on anybody,” McLaren said. “I went and I got my funeral arrangements made, I qualified for the MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) program. When I’ve had enough, I’ve had enough.”
To those who know him, there will never be enough Bob McLaren.
Also being inducted Wednesday at the ceremony at the Meridian Centre are Carole Price, Walt Oprzedek, Andy Van Ruyven, Robert (Bob) Adams and F.F. (Ted) Nelson.
The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception and cash bar.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 6,400 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
