Part One: The Beginnings

THE BEGINNINGS

TOM SIMPSON is generally given credit for the founding of WECSSO, but if the truth  were know, this credit might be ill-directed. In 1987, Tom, a navy veteran, retired from Custom and Excise in Windsor; and, after having led a very active and involved life, suddenly found himself somewhat lost with nothing to do. He was restless, antsy, probably crabby (of course), and just a pain in the butt around his home. He was driving his wife of many years, Florence, up the wall. In the spring of 1988, she probably said something to the effect – For crying out loud, get out of here; do something to get yourself involved and get this restlessness out of you; go find some guys to play some ‘scrub ball’!!!! And that was the push behind the formation of what would eventually become THE WINDSOR/ESSEX COUNTY SPORTS ORGANIZATION. Thus it was Florence, not Tom, who was the real reason for our organization!!

LET’S PLAY SOME SCRUB BALL

The Royal Canadian Legion Branches have always served, among other things, as a social setting where armed forces veterans can talk, argue, plan, reminisce about anything and everything. Sports is always a popular topic of discussion, and frequently the senior members present would get talking about the ‘good old days’ when they were heavily involved in any and all sports. Of course the stories that were told brought back many wonderful memories of past accomplishments, and most certainly, of enjoyment and fun. Tom was a regular at some of these branches, and during one of these ‘bragging sessions’ brought up Florence’s scrub ball idea – and the seed was planted. ”Why can’t we get back to those days? Now that we are retired and have time to enjoy our ‘golden years’, – what is holding us back?”

In the spring of 1988 TOM, GORD WAFFLE and JIM SCHROLL got a bat and ball, dug old gloves out of mothballs, and started getting together at AKO field to ‘hit the ball around’. This turned out to be more enjoyable than they expected; so they decided to try to get others involved. They started spreading the word by making calls, inserting an advertisement in the newspaper, and even getting some TV exposure. The first ‘add on’ was STAN SCRATCH. He called GERRY VIDLER; and things snowballed.

LET’S FORM A SLO-PITCH TEAM

In a month there were enough scrub ball payers to form a Slo-Pitch team. Now they needed some opposition. This led to the first game – an exhibition game with a bunch of local young guys in their 20’s. This went very well. So they played several more exhibition games with teams of younger players, and more than held their own. They decided to try competing with teams of ‘their own age’ level – but where could they be found.

ART GRUNDY, another member of the ‘originals’, and JIM SCHROLL had played in an ‘old timers’ league in Detroit; and they were able, in 1989, to set up several exhibition games with teams from that league –  and ‘our guys’ were quite successful. They were so successful that the next year, 1990, they were admitted to the league as a full-fledged member; and the league became the CAN-AM LEAGUE.

LET’S FORM A BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To carry on the program, and to expand its horizons, funds were needed for equipment, uniforms, league fees, etc.; so the group formed a Board of Directors with the main purpose of raising funds for this team to compete in the CAN-AM league. The board was as follows:

TOM SIMPSON (President)

FRANK EDWARDS (Vice-President)

JIM SCHROLL (Treasurer)

JERRY VIDLER (Secretary)

Tom was the ‘main pusher’ of the organization, and for that, has been included on every Board of Directors. His drive, enthusiasm, and vision were invaluable in getting things going. He is fully deserving of any and all compliments for his efforts. It is quite likely that without Tom, there wouldn’t be this tremendous program that is so valuable to so many seniors in this area.

This first board of directors, plus others who jumped in to help at any time, deserve everlasting thanks from the several hundreds of WECSSO members, past and present, who have benefited from the ‘joy of fun’ of participation in ‘play’. There are much bigger benefits – such participation puts off ‘growing old’ both physically and mentally. It keeps us young in both heart and body. One only has to witness the ‘seniors at play’ to recognize how true this is.

The board approached the Canadian Government for a grant under one of its ‘Heritage Programs”, and received $3000.00! They were ‘off and running’. Realizing that most of the members (at the time) were war veterans and were members of various branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, they wrote letters to all the branches in Windsor requesting donations. Branches 594 and 598 made very generous donations to the cause, and continued to do so for several of the formative years of the organization.

WE WILL BE FOREVER INDEBTED TO THE LEGIONS, BRANCHES 594 AND 598.

With funding in place, the board turned its direction to attracting more new members, and soon there were enough players to form another team. It, too, played in the CAN-AM league, and it, too, was successful. Eventually a 3rd team was formed. These three teams played in different levels in the league and we won all three championships! Now there was a sizeable group of local seniors playing slo-pitch at a very respectable level.

LET’S FORM A LEAGUE

As time went on, several players found that going to Detroit for games was too demanding. The closest games were an hour away, including the custom and immigration delays, and this was costly in terms of time and gas money. It wasn’t convenient, to say the least. FRANK EDWARDS pushed the idea of developing our own league in Windsor. He organized a ‘contact group’ made up of WES O’GRADY, HARRY LAPLANTE, GORD WAFFLE, and JIM SCHROLL; and these guys went through the telephone book and called any names that looked familiar, and prodded them to come out to ‘have a ball’.

This very active committee also advertised in the newspapers and on television, and urged all the present players to use word of mouth to get other guys. The group’s efforts were successful, so -much so that in 1993, a four-team league of our won was formed! Games were played at Jackson Park and the season was from early May (as soon as the sun started to warm us up), until October (based on the onset of cold weather). These guys loved playing so much that the weather had to be really bad to call off games. They called themselves THE WINDSOR RETIREES – The original name of the organization.

Linda Decaire (nee Fairbrother)

We were saddened to hear of the loss of Linda Decaire, wife of Bernie Decaire, our First Aid Coordinator.

Linda DecaireDECAIRE, Linda (nee Fairbrother)
Born on June 15, 1945 and passed away peacefully on January 13, 2021 following a courageous battle with cancer with her loving husband, Bernie, by her side. Loving mother of Cara Weese. Dear grandmother to Nicola (Brett), Daniel, Kirsten and great-grandmother to Gage. Predeceased by parents Lawrence and Ruth Fairbrother. Linda will also be missed by best friends Shelley, Gerry and Kym Forster. Linda was a former employee of The Windsor Star and was an active volunteer with Alhambra (Algarva Caravan #168). Visiting will be held at Melady Funeral Home (572 Notre Dame St. Belle River 519-728-1500) on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Please note that the Government of Ontario and the BAO mandates that reservations and masks or face coverings are required to attend the visitation. A private family service will be held. In kindness, memorial donations to Alhambra, Algarva Caravan #168 would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.meladyfuneral.ca

OCHS, Phil

Passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the age of 75, surrounded by his loved ones. Beloved husband of Diane (nee McCready), loving father to daughters Julie Bastien (Jeff), Katherine Lessard (Brad). Cherished papa to granddaughter Taylor and step-grandchildren Jen (Mike) and Dion. Phil was the son of the late Katharina and Jakob Ochs, and dear brother to Jack (Mary Jane) and John, both of Windsor. Phil was also brother-in-law to Doug and Mary Lynn McCready of Richmond Hill. Phil was a loving and respected uncle of Shelley, Dave, Bryan, Mark, Trevor, Sterling and Heather. Many cousins mourn his loss in Canada, the United States and Germany. Phil was a proud member of First Lutheran Church Windsor, and was a founding member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Amherstburg, serving both congregations as president and in many other capacities, but most importantly, Phil was a member of the family of God. Phil influenced a great many young people during a 30-year career as a teacher, librarian and coach at Malden Central Public School and Colchester North Public School. His retirement was filled to overflowing with activities he loved – sports, volunteering, travelling, music, family and friends – both in Windsor and in Florida. Phil loved playing ball (both baseball and volleyball) and being a part of the WECSSO organization for 20 years. He was a dedicated WECSSO Executive member, having served on the Marketing Committee, Charity Committee and their Annual Remembrance Memorial Committee. He played in the Blue Division and served as a manager for a number of years. Phil was an avid photographer, and could always be found with a camera in hand – he was very talented. Phil also loved spending time volunteering at the Mission Thrift Store because he wanted to spread God’s love to everyone. Phil was a genuine, caring and sincere person whose friendship was treasured by many. The family would like to genuinely thank all those who helped care for Phil in his courageous fight with cancer – Paramed (especially Tanya Shaw), the LHIN, and the Windsor Regional Cancer Center. Visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
895 Ouellette Avenue
on Friday, October 2, 2020 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE TO ATTEND VISITATION by calling 519-254-3223 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Private Service will be held at First Lutheran Church Windsor followed by the interment at Victoria Memorial Gardens. Donations can be made to the Canadian Lutheran World Relief Organization, Windsor Regional Cancer Center or The Mission Thrift Store. www.andersonfuneralhomewindsor.com

Update: Golf Tournament Cancellation

To: All WECSSO MEMBERS

Hello everyone,
As you may be aware WECSSO had planned a golf tournament for August 21, 2020.

Unfortunately, this has been CANCELLED, due to COVID 19.

The intent was to provide a venue for socialization for the players of the various divisions with a day of golf, mingling, a banquet, etc. Given the current environment this is not possible.

WECSSO does plan on holding such a tournament next year! Plan to be part of the 2021 Golf Tourney.
Stay safe,

Rick Anderson
Vice President/Commissioner
WECSSO