Page 13 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 65

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #65 April 2018 13

Saying Goodbye to Moe “The Toe” Racine

He would see the years roll play-off games, 5 Grey Cup games—
By Thom Racine
along, the powerful Rough Riders winning 4, and think to himself, not
said an earthly goodbye to my teams of the sixties and their Grey bad for a kid from Belmont St. A kid
I dad last month. He died after a Cup appearances, his scoring who never dreamed of such a life, was
long, and often suffering, battle with championship in 1966. Proudly, he never in it for the praise, but earned
diabetes and its symptoms and side would fast-forward to 1973 and the the praise with every footfall on those
affects and body breaking tentacles team of “No Stars” that would win rugged fields of play.
that sucked the life out of one of our the Grey Cup and yes, he might even That’s what made you a legend Dad!
sporting legends. tear up as he sees the iconic picture That’s what the accolades that have
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be the of himself hoisting the Grey Cup one poured in from across the country this
one to write this final goodbye, there last time. week have proven. You left a legacy
really was not much more I could say, He would then fast forward forty for a nation of football fans, your
his death was covered nation-wide, years to his Hall of Fame induction and hometown, and your family.
associated press outlets across the remember, not the overdue validation Dad, you never cheated your body,
world posted the story and even cruise of his career, but the journey; the it cheated you, far too soon for any of
ships printed the sudden passing of journey of a big athlete, who had an us to accept.
the former CFL player and Canadian Look back on your life tonight even bigger heart. Long live the memory of Number 62;
Football Hall of Famer. Condolences and ponder what you have done and Dad always said his kids knew more long live the legacy of “Moe the Toe,”
had poured in and tributes made us accomplished. You will look into the about his career than he did… but he our husband, father and grandfather.
further understand that celebrity has mirror and be proud of your family, might reflect on 213 career games, 36
no peace. ‘Moe the Toe’ had died and career, and future. Our father too,
people wanted to say good-bye. could do that. If he let his mind
Two pieces of fan mail arrived while wander last week, he could look back Spring House League Football
dad was in hospital and both wanted and hear his mother pushing him to
autographs for their collections. Dad play the strange game with the funny- REGISTRATION
signed about a dozen a year, he loved shaped ball. He would see Donat
to see who and where people were Poirier chasing him down the hall
from, in this case British Columbia at St. Lawrence during the first week
and Ohio. Seeing those letters took of high school in 1953, ushering his
me by surprise, Dad was not going to giant frame into Art Anderson’s office
sign those cards, he was really gone, and pretty much forcing him onto the
and it was time to finally accept the football field. Then the Emard’s junior
man who made us all laugh and the football coach John Bove telling him Photo/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
man who rarely if ever boasted about to go to Ottawa in 1958 for a four day
his life, was now no longer the living tryout and never coming home.
legend of years gone by. Frank Clair declaring, “Moe, I
After Dad took his final breath, think I’ll make a lineman out of you.” $ 295
I decided (with family approval) He would hear Bill Smyth a few years Practices includes
to prepare a eulogy. I would not be later yell, “Holy…..” after watching all equipment
the first son to eulogize their father, Dad and Gary Schreider kicking start in April
nor would I be the first to try and get after practice one day. He would see
through it without coming apart. himself staring at the Mountains of Season runs May & June
I practised it for days leading up North Vancouver as he got set to kick
to the moment and felt comfortable off in a Grey Cup game just two years Please register at www.cornwallwildcats.com
in standing up in church in front of after leading the St. Lawrence Saints
family, friends, and peers to deliver it. to their third straight High School Joe St. Denis Field
I started off with the person, the championship.
husband, father, and grandfather. It Then, the day his father went to the 504 Fourth Street East
covered our life, his football life and only game Hector ever went to, in Cornwall, Ontario
beyond. Printed below are the final Montreal, and watched as his great
few paragraphs. Thanks Dad, what a big son booted a last second game www .cor nwallwildcats .com
life you gave us, your home town, and winning field goal and almost put the www.cornwallwildcats.com
a plethora of fans and friends. ball on his dad’s lap.