Erik Jepsen
Passed away on the morning of January 22, 2008.
Erik began playing soccer at the age of 4 on the Faroe Islands. In 1956, he played in a league outside Copenhagen and, after his family immigrated to Ontario in 1958, he continued to play soccer on school teams and in a Danish league in High Park. In 1972, he brought his knowledge of the game to the sidelines, coaching at the Bay Ridges Soccer Club, the West Shore Soccer Club and the Ajax Warriors Soccer Club.
Erik stepped into more administrative roles beginning in 1986 as Executive/Convenor with the Ajax Warriors Soccer Club and later as an Executive Member with the Central Girls Soccer League. He was heavily involved with the Durham Region Soccer Association where he provided support in the discipline area. Since its inception, Erik was the League Administrator of the Central East Soccer League where he also served as Match Secretary. Erik also served on the OSA's Central Region League Management Committee.
As a mentor to student athletes, Erik actively promoted the importance of education to many young soccer players.
In 2005, he received the John Barnes Award from the Durham Region S.A. in recognition of his significant impact on that District. In 2006, he received the Ontario Soccer Association's highest recognition when he was awarded the OSA Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his many contributions to soccer in Ontario over the past 35 years
Malcolm Hamon
Passed away on December 20, 2007.
Mal first became involved with the St. Andrews Soccer Club along with John Frow, John Wimbs and others. Subsequently he was involved with the Scarborough Youth Soccer Association and the Robbie Tournament Organizing Committee on which he served for many decades. For many of us, the last time that we saw Mal was at the Robbie Tournament's Million Dollar Gala in 2005.
He was a Director of the Metropolitan Toronto Soccer Association in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
Mal then moved out east and was involved with the Durham Region Soccer Association. He was elected to the OSA Board as Regional Director - East Central at the AGM in February 1983. When the OSA changed from Regional Directors to District Representation in 1985, Mal became District Representative for Durham Region and served on the OSA's Board of Directors until 1990.
He was a member of the very first Soccer Centre Committee in 1984 along with Bill Hoyle and Dick Braddock.
In 1995, Mal received the OSA's Meritorious Service Award.
Mal is survived by his wife Betty, daughters Allison and Cheryl and his son Steven.
Mal mad an impact on three District Associations: Toronto, Scarborough and Durham Region in addition to his significant contribution to The Ontario Soccer Association.
The soccer community mourns a great builder of the game in Ontario.
Andrew Hamilton Shearer & Don Shearer
Andrew Shearer passed away suddenly in Cannington on Saturday, August 4th, 2007 in his 18th year.
Andrew had been a member of the Brock Soccer Club from an early age, and recently had begun to referee.
Also passing away suddenly the same day was his father, Don Shearer, a retire elementary school teacher and a past member of Brock Soccer, who had played in the adult league.
The entire Shearer family have been long-time members and supporters of Brock Soccer, playing, refereeing and coaching in all divisions from Tykes to Adult.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time
Gerald (Gerry) Melnyk
Passed away unexpectedly on Saturday May 5, 2007 at his home in Uxbridge.
Gerry was involved with Uxbridge S.C. and a referee in Durham Region.
Christopher Graham
Passed away peacefully at his home, in Pickering, after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, January 5, 2007 at the age of 51.
Chris was elected as the Treasurer of The Ontario Soccer Association in 2005 after serving on the OSA Board from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, he had served on various OSA committees including the Finance Committee. He served on the Durham Region S.A. Board from 1996 to 2005, including three years as President, four years as Vice President and two years as Treasurer.
Chris held various positions with the Pickering Soccer Club from 1980 to 2005 and also served as a coach with the Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club.
Chris also played a valuable role on the Organizing Committee of the Robbie Tournament for many years.
He was well liked and greatly respected by players, coaches, referees, and administrators at all levels of soccer in Ontario.
We have lost one of the finest persons involved in soccer. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral arrangements are not yet known but, I will advise you as soon as the details become available.
Chris had a very positive impact on the game of soccer in Ontario.
May Chris rest in peace.
David Copoc
(1939 - 2006) David coached minor soccer in the 60’s and 70’s. In early 1970 he was one of the founding members of the Trident Soccer club and coached girl’s soccer for many years. From 1990 t0 1996 David coached a men’s team in the Motor City Soccer League