[27] According to Duguid, Ballard had been willing to pay as much as $15 million so he could buy and relocate the San Francisco Giants to Toronto, even though the franchise was only worth around $8 million. U.S. [1] For the 1962 season, Ballard tried to introduce a hockey-style penalty box to soccer, but the rule change was not allowed by FIFA. referee, angered a fan by accidentally knocking over the man's beer. Ballard was reappointed executive vice president. In the early 1950s, Ballard hired his long-time friend Stafford Smythe, son of Leafs owner Conn Smythe, as managing director of the Marlboros. Keon was forced to move to the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints. Latest Obituaries. As it turns out, he didn't win the brawl for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He trained at OCAD in fine arts. Mr. Finkelstein's True North record label and artist management company was taking off, and so he withdrew from the concert promotion game. He also removed the cushions from the home bench for Toros' games (he told an arena worker, "Let 'em buy their own cushions!") Beloved husband of the late Joan McKee (nee Buss). Ballard is buried at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto with his wife Dorothy. "Maple Leaf forever? 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. Ballard used the opportunity to name himself acting general manager and hold talks with Sittler, and the two agreed that Sittler would return to the team for the 198081 season. 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. In 1990, Harold Ballard died, irascible and overripe at 86. Please enter your email and password to sign in. I was afraid. They married in 1957 and had two children before he filed for divorce. Canadian businessman and sportsman (19031990). Their best season in more than a decade has been the current one, during which Mr. Ballard was gravely ill and others assumed control. This became clear when the arena was dim for the first game. All Work and All Play: A Life in the Outrageous Sport, p. 124, John Wiley and Sons Canada Ltd., Mississauga, ON, 2005. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. His acquisition of the Leafs, one of Canada's most revered properties, came shortly before Mr. Ballard served a year in jail on a fraud conviction for diverting money from the Gardens' accounts to his own. 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. He installed himself as president and chairman of Maple Leaf Gardens and governor of the Maple Leafs. It was the second time in three years that they had made the playoffs despite finishing with a winning percentage below .400. While touring Europe, the Nationals were involved in several fights, both on the ice and off. In the end, they reportedly settled on somewhere between $2 million and $5 million in total, plus two seats at the Gardens. In 1990, Harold Ballard died, irascible and overripe at 86. In 1972, Harold Ballard's idiosyncratic bookkeeping and whimsical ideas on what money was his and what money belonged to Maple Leaf Gardens got him into severe trouble. Find the obituary of Rev. I mean, he didn't get his law degree from a Cheerios box. He was a lifetime resident of Gary and attended Wirt High School. Toros owner John F. Bassett (son of the elder John Bassett) had negotiated a lease with the elder Ballard's son, Bill. Learn more about merges. Angered that the WHA was literally in his backyard, the elder Ballard made the Toros' lease terms as onerous as possible. Obituary Mr. Harold Ballard Sheriff, 78, of Cromer Road, Elberton, husband of 27 years to Betty Ann Powell Sheriff, finished his course in faith on Monday, April 1, 2019, at St. Mary's Hospice House in Watkinsville. Try again later. BALLARD, JEAN LORENA Jean Lorena Ballard, age 90, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Rose Haven Assisted Living Center in Menahga, MN. He is survived by three children: William, Harold Jr. and Mary. Ballard refused, citing it as a threat to program sales. "Silent runner or not, an incident in 1989 put Mr. Ballard in the public arena, where the light was not always flattering. On October 16, 2016, as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs centennial celebrations, Keon was . Harold Edwin Ballard (born Edwin Harold Ballard, July 30, 1903 - April 11, 1990) was a Canadian businessman and sportsman. Hough relented, and the broadcast went on as scheduled. He told friends that on a visit to the Soviet Union he had put a Maple Leaf sticker on Lenin's tomb. In 1969, Ballard and Stafford Smythe were charged with tax evasion and accused of using Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. to pay for their personal expenses. 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. Often he was the guest of Mr. Ballard at the arena's private Hot Stove Lounge, where Mr. Ballard awed all with his epic bouts of dining. Make a Memorial Donation . His death set off a feeding frenzy that had already been begun over the iconic properties he controlled: the Toronto Maple Leafs and. But unbeknownst to the crooner, the elder McDermott had slipped and fallen right before the show and was taken to the hospital for stitches. TAMPICO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MUSEUM - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY/RESEARCH CENTER 119 Main St., P. O. 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. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. It trained me to work for my dad.". 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. Funds were also used to renovate his Midland cottage, to rent limousines for his daughter's wedding in 1967, and to buy motorcycles for his sons (passing off the expense as hockey equipment for the Marlboros), as well as placing money belonging to the corporation into a private bank account that he controlled along with Stafford Smythe. A love so deep only silence is fit to describ Search above to list available cemeteries. He was recognized for this on his citation during his 1977 Hockey Hall of Fame induction. In 1973, the WHA moved the Ottawa Nationals to Toronto as the Toronto Toros. In Toronto, one of the most British of Canadian cities, with downtown streets named ''King'' and ''Queen,'' a large picture of Queen Elizabeth used to hang in Maple Leaf Gardens. Two months later, he was sentenced to nine years in a federal penitentiary. He floated the idea of bringing in the NHL's California Golden Seals into the Toronto area and much later was a failed bidder for the expansion NBA Raptors.). After his playing days were over, Mr. Ballard quipped, "You didn't have to think too much to be the [football] centre. Ballard was a sports enthusiast from a young age and began running hockey teams in Toronto in the early 1930s. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) has announced that deep-sea explorer and retired U.S. Navy commander Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for his discovery of the R.M.S. Verify and try again. He had claimed losses in excess of $20 million over 11 seasons with the Tiger-Cats. Since it was a hot day, Mr. Ballard turned up the building's furnace, delayed both shows and ordered the concession stands to sell only large soft drinks. . 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. New York, U.S., State Census, 1905. Review. Shortly after, Ballard tried to buy the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from owner Michael DeGroote, but that offer was also rejected. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Ballard died from various health complications on April 11, 1990 at the age of 86. 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. To make room for more seats, Ballard removed a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth II from the 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. Just as Ballard's trial was beginning, he told Hockey Canada that they were welcome to use any member of the Leafs on the Canadian team, could use Maple Leaf Gardens for their training camp, and could use the building for any or all of the games in the series, with the Gardens' share of the gate receipts being donated to the NHL players' pension fund. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Some people took him for a boob, but they didn't realize how bright he was. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. BALLARD, Bura (WOOD); 88; Greenfield IN; 2006-Dec-27; Bura Ballard BALLARD, Dorothy L (CROWELL); ; Indianapolis IN; 2007-Jan-3; Dorothy Ballard Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada. In 1940, he became a member of the Maple Leafs Hockey Team organization, was a senior executive in 1957, became part-owner of the team in 1961 and was majority owner from February 1972 until his death at age 86. [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. Edwin Harold Ballard was born on July 30, 1903, the only child of Sidney Eustace Ballard and the former Mary Garner. Harold Ballard. Along with Parent, Rick Ley, Jim Harrison, Brad Selwood, and Guy Trottier all left the Leafs for the WHA before the 197273 season, as did some minor league prospects in the Leafs' system as well as the team's minor league coach, Marcel Pronovost. SEARCH. His father was Toronto Maple Leafs hockey mogul Harold Ballard. Two days later, Ballard asked Neilson to return, but with a paper bag over his head so as to conceal his identity. Early in their relationship, the pair travelled to the Cayman Islands and met dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II and former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as well as performers such as opera star Luciano Pavarotti. [1] The younger Ballard became a director and vice-president of Maple Leaf Gardens in 1972 when his father was sentenced to prison for fraud. Ballard became a fan of speed skating and would attend skating events and hockey games, helping to promote the Ballard skates. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. As this year's Maple Leaf press guide put it, ''He continues to defy his critics and dumbfound his detractors by basically just doing whatever he pleases, regardless of what anyone else thinks. As owner of the Tiger Cats, Ballard claimed to be losing a million dollars a year. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. At the same time, Ballard continued to work for Ballard Machinery, and took over the business after his father's retirement in 1935. "He had an amazing ability to put away bowls and bowls of food," Mr. Finkelstein recounts. BROWN, NELLIE G., 95, of Eugene, Ore., died Thursday (Dec. 29, 1994) at HCA Oak Hill Hospital. You thought it couldnt get any more colourful under Harold Ballard. "[4], He also expanded the number of concerts, entertainment acts, and conventions booked in the building. Growing up in Jordan, he went to St John's Catholic School for 8 years and graduated from Jordan High School in 1952. 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. 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. Angry teammates trashed their dressing room in response. 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. On the personal side, Mr. Ballard was known as a lover of good friends and high times. Drag images here or select from your computer for Harold Ballard memorial. What if John Bassett had been able to buy Harold Ballards shares in the Maple Leafs? Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. His last months were filled with court fights involving his children. When asked recently about the process of succession, Paul McNamara, chairman of the board of Maple Leaf Gardens, said: ''We just don't know it. Smythe died just six weeks later. Echovita is an archive of public obituaries and death notices to keep you informed about people who have passed away in your. [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. Harold met the love of his life, Anne Louise Dufek during his junior year. Preceded in death by his parents, William Wallace and Carrie Buford (Pinkard) Hurt; brother, William ("Bill") Wallace, Jr.; and sister, Frances Hurt. Harold Vance Delk Jr., age 78, a resident of Bertrand, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the Charleston Manor. A member of the Leafs organization from 1940 and a senior executive from 1957, he became part-owner of the team in 1961 and was majority owner from February 1972 until his death. The Leafs barely made the playoffs in 1980, finishing five games below .500. They nearly duplicated that dubious achievement in 198788. 00:02:34 Harold Ballard is very self-deprecating, but that doesn't mean he isn't astute or insightful. rights reserved. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Harold Ballard Sheriff (Elberton, Georgia), born in Seneca, South Carolina, who passed away at the age of 78, on April 1, 2019. He wasn't just talk. At age 68, Ballard won a battle with Stafford's family and bought his shares, giving him a 60 percent controlling interest in the Gardens. At the time of this fight, both Mr. Ballard and Mr. Clancy were in their 70's. Investigators said Ballard allegedly pulled out a firearm; shots were fired, and the 42-year-old died at the scene. According to Ballard's lawyer, his estate was worth less than $50 million. Imlach was never officially fired, but when he tried to return to his office in November, he found that his parking spot at Maple Leaf Gardens had been reassigned and Gerry McNamara had been made acting general manager. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. After being threatened with a large fine, Ballard "complied" by putting the names in blue letters on the Leafs' blue road jerseys, and in white on their white home jerseys, making them unreadable. We encourage your input. Ballard booked The Beatles on each of their three North American tours from 19641966. Ballard famously had his hand and footprints etched onto a concrete slab and placed it at centre ice of Maple Leaf Gardens, which deteriorated the quality of the Gardens ice. 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. Harold Ballard, hockey executive (born 30 July 1903 in Toronto, ON; died 11 April 1990 in To-ronto, ON). "[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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He was an 83 year old born in Menifee County to the union of the late Claude and Pearlie Golden White, and member of the Baptist Church. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? He said Yolanda would often show up on road trips. Yolanda Ballard, the former companion of crusty Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard who became a central figure in the circus surrounding the franchise in the 1980s and 90s, has died. Fed up with being what he described as the "vice-president in charge of being the boss's son," he moved on to CPI , along with a $5-million loan from his father that helped found the company. cemeteries found in Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Mr. Ballard was a victor mostly, though nervy, cunning, garrulous, generous, protective of friends, formidable as an adversary and sharp as a tack, by all accounts. 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.". 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. Harold never gave it another thought. All results for Harrold Ballard Edit SearchNew SearchJump to Filters To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. Following the 1930 racing season, the Yacht Club sponsored a senior team in the Ontario Hockey Association called the Toronto National Sea Fleas. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about At age 54, Ballard was the oldest member of the group, which were otherwise all in their 30s and 40s. Ballard was pulled from the water unconscious, but one of his friends died. Anyone can read what you share. He also was the owner of the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League (1978-89), which won the 1986 Grey Cup. Harold was born and reared in Canada. 03/28/1925 - 11/15/2019 . Ballard thus felt he had little financial incentive to sign better players. HAROLD G BALLARD. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. This account has been disabled. The team had a poor year with Ballard coaching, but Ballard arranged a European tour for the Nationals which included competing in the 1933 Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Harold Edwin Ballard (born Edwin Harold Ballard, July 30, 1903 April 11, 1990) was a Canadian businessman and sportsman. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. In the Olympic Village, Mr. Ballard stole an Olympic flag and brought it home as a souvenir. Ballard to Ottawa writer Earl McRae in the 1980s. Failed to report flower. Caught between a great inheritance in the sports world and an artistic career, he chose to lay bricks and paint. 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. Cool as a cucumber she says, Youre going to get you blankety blank a-- out of this car or youre going to have a hole that I can put a football through from here to East Lansing., She just knew what to do at the right time.. Under Day and Ballard, the Nationals won the Memorial Cup at the end of the 193536 season. The tournament would become known as the Summit Series. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. DEARBORN, Mo. Forward to Family & Friends; Print; Contact Support; Upgrade; Death Certificates; Share This Obituary. Echovita is an archive of public obituaries and death notices to keep you. Mr. McDermott, for one, remembers him differently. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. McKee, Harold Alexander (Reverend) Passed away peacefully at Henley House, St. Catharines, on Monday February 18, 2019 at the age of 86. [28] However, in the end, it was a partnership of the Labatt Brewing Company, Howard Webster, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) that brought baseball to Toronto, as they were awarded an expansion team in the American League for $7 million that became the Toronto Blue Jays, who began play in 1977. 30. Robert A. Ballard, 82, of Mount Joy and formerly of Landisville, passed away on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2016, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA. Robert was the loving husband. Mr. Ballard's will may determine his heir and the next owner of the team and building. Gord Stellick, the Leafs general manager in 1988-89 and Bobs brother, recalled that she just appeared at the Gardens one day (holding a cake, according to some accounts, and refusing to leave until he spoke to her). 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