All: A lengthy communication, but worth reading.
Founders Day at Fletcher's Fields and a Farewell to Freddie Miller.
Greetings all members of the Rugby Community, and Freddie's Friends and
Family:
The annual opening day celebrations at the Home of Ontario Rugby will be very busy this Saturday. Please consider car-pooling.
We will celebrating the start of a new Rugby Season as well as the 5 Founding Clubs of Ontario Rugby which will all be competing on the day.
Most important, we will celebrate the Life of Freddie Miller who died earlier this month. Freddie co-founded 3 of these Clubs in 1950, and later founded The Ottawa Beavers and The Toronto XLs.
Below is a schedule for all the day's activities, followed by a copy of Freddie's obituary. Please note: The luncheon is likely sold out by now. Please check with your FF Club Representative to enquire.
10.30. Gates open.
11.00. Nomad's Field,
East of The Club House. The Rev. Christina Paradela will lead a short
service to celebrate the life of her Father. This will be followed by a
scattering of ashes. Please allow ample travelling time; it is important
that the celebration starts promptly.
12.00. Luncheon served in the South Room.
12.45. Call to table.
12.50. Michael Brown. Rugby Ontario President.
1.00. Trevor Jones. Long term friend of Freddie.
Thanks to Colin Baker, FF Groundskeeper, for providing the day's playing schedule.
11:30a Women
#6 - Barbarians W2 v Scottish W2 v Saracens W2 (exhibition round-robin game)
(#6 is the original Nomads field, behind the grandstand, and the 3 teams in
the round-robin above are playing on #6 & #1 fields are 1:00pm, but can move
or start a little later if needed)
12:00 noon - SOUTH Room upstairs - Annual Opening Day Luncheon including a
celebration of Rugby Founder Freddie Miller.
12:00 - MEN
#5 - possible Aurora Barbs 3 game (vs ???)
#1 - Scottish Academy (3rds) v T. Dragons 1 (on the grandstand field, may
have to start at 11:30a)
#2 - Toronto Nomads 3 v Ajax Wanderers 3
(#2 is the original Union field, Rugby Ontario's, to which we moved the
Nomads a few seasons ago in order to move them closer to the clubhouse and
away from the noise of the Rogers TV truck)
1:00p Women
#1 - Scottish 1 v Saracens 1 (move to 1:30 if Scottish 3rds start at noon?)
#6 - A. Barbs 1 v Mark. Irish 1
1:30p MEN
#5 - Aurora Barbs 2 v Brantford 2
#4 - T. Saracens 2 v M. Blues 2
#3 - Markham Irish 2 v Lindsay 2
#2 - T. Nomads 2 v Wanderers 2
3:00p MEN
#5 - Aurora Barbs 1 v Brantford 1
#4 - Saracens 1 v M. Blues 1
#3 - Markham Irish 1 v Lindsay 1
#2 - Nomads 1 v Wanderers 1
Freddie Miller. His Obituary
Reverend Freddie Miller
September 20, 1927 - May 16, 2017
Husband of the late Jane Mary Cater of Chile (Aug 1980) and father of
Christina, Stephen (Carole) and Richard (Dena), grandfather to
Nicolette(Steve), Kasper and Kiefer, Jessica and Jack. Later married to
Caroly Laurie of Walcha, Australia, NSW; his half siblings Tom Fawdry(Anna)
and Carol Kenney (Bob). Pre-deceased by his brother Bobbie.
Born in Winnipeg to Ernie Miller of Carmen, Manitoba and Thora Hallgrimsson
of Gimli, Iceland. Freddie and Bobbie were soon on the move when iIllnesses
suffered as a result of WW II had taken father Ernie. Thora took the boys to
her home land of Iceland. Both boys were then educated in England at St.
Georges of Harpenden. It was at St Georges that Freddie was introduced to
the game of Rugby. The game would dominate his life, as a player, a team
builder and referee. Along with others, he co-founded rugby in Ontario in
the 1950s, founding the Toronto Wanderers, Toronto Nomads, and Ottawa
Beavers and subsequently the Toronto XL's later as over 40s rugby took hold.
A founding member of 'The Scrum Club' at Fletcher's Field's in Victoria
Square and an early Inductee to the Ontario Rugby Hall of Fame. A true
second row player and this is where we think the good Reverend learned the
words of ill repute.
Ordained in 1967, he presided at numerous marriages, baptisms, memorials and
funerals. He served the congregations of St Philips, Unionville, Christ
Church, Stouffville, The Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto; as well as
within the detentions centres, hospitals and homes for the aged. He brought
Christmas Carol singing to the Rugby community.
World travel continued throughout his life circumnavigating the globe
numerous times, he touched many lives on his wanders. As a publican, (Duke
of Richmond, Hop and Grape, and The Jack Russell of Toronto) he extended his
good nature and ministry combining good pub service and words of care and
wisdom.
A celebration of his life will take place at 11am on May 27, 2017, at
Fletcher's Fields, Victoria Square, as the teams he co-founded will kick off
to begin the rugby season. (2743 19th Ave. Markham L6C 1L7) This
celebration will happen on the fields at 11am.
You are welcome to donate to Amnesty International; a justice initiative
that was near to his heart. In lieu of flowers, drink beer!
