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At an online ceremony last night at 7 p.m., eight new members were inducted into Port Colborne’s Sports Wall of Fame:
Joseph Fabiani
Joe Fabiani was born in Italy on April 29, 1950. His family immigrated to Canada in 1952 and settled in Port Colborne. At PCHS, Joe was an all-star athlete – talented in several sports, but his real love was football. While at PCHS, Joe was instrumental as quarterback leading the Bears to the Southern Ontario Secondary Association Zone 3 semi-finals for 3 seasons. During this time, Joe was scouted by several Universities in both Canada and the United States. Even though Joe was offered a full athletic scholarship to attend Ohio’s Bowling Green University, he ultimately chose the University of Western Ontario with his academic career in mind, to obtain a degree in Physical Education.
Joe’s football career flourished at Western. He quarterbacked the Western Mustangs to their first ever Vanier Cup win in 1971, in what was then called the College Bowl. His 97-yard pass and run play is still a Vanier Cup record. Joe was voted Captain of the Mustangs for two consecutive seasons (72&73) and he won the George McCullagh trophy - awarded as MVP for the 72-73 season. In 1972, Joe was contacted by 6 of the 9 teams in the CFL in preparation for the ’73 Draft. He was drafted by the BC Lions in the ’73 Draft.
Unfortunately, injuries in the Lions’ pre-season, ended his football career, but Joe turned to pursue his other passion as an educator. For 31 years, Joe was a dedicated teacher in the Niagara Region and his passion to coach students in all sports both at school and within the community was exemplary.
Brent A. Kovach – Volunteer
Since he was a young boy, sports have been his mainstay and joy. Whether it was the old Westside Arena or the former Teeder Kennedy Youth arena, Brent has been a constant figure for over 30 years at any playing field or minor sport fundraiser in our community. Brent has coached, convened, and served on the boards as an executive of the Minor Hockey, Minor Baseball, and Minor Girls Softball.
He has been a dedicated helper at the annual Port Colborne Lions Carnival and a long-time mainstay at the bingo hall helping the Minor Baseball, Minor Girls Softball and Team Port Colborne (Jr. B Hockey Club).
For many years Brent has been a timekeeper and scorekeeper for Minor Hockey and Junior B Hockey; all for the youth and our community. If there was a playing field that needed lining, Brent was on the way with his bike and trailer in tow loaded with the manual liner, measuring taps, and bags of field marking material. It was not uncommon for Brent to do 8 playing fields in one day, and he would ride from one field to the next on either side of the canal.
This Port Colborne born and raised man is the composite volunteer and did it all without the fanfare or limelight. In 2009, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce. A fitting tribute to a dedicated volunteer.
Port Colborne Lions Club
The Port Colborne Lions Club received its charter from the International Association of Lions Club after their 1st meeting on July 14, 1922. In 1923, and then for almost the next 70 years sponsored and operated Minor Hockey in Port Colborne from beginners to Juvenile, house leagues and travelling teams.
The Charter Members and Offices:
President: L.W. McDonald lst Vice Preident: J.H. Rolph 2nd Vice President: T. Lannan Sr. 3rd Vice President: Dr. H.B. Rickard Secretary: T.A. Lannan Treasurer: C.E. Steele Tail Twister: G. Smith Macdonald Lion Tamer: W.H. Cowan Chaplain: Canon W.G. Davis (Honorary Member)
Directors: Dr. E.A. MacKenzie, H.J. Shore, John More, Capt. W.F. Howell, William Steed, G.D. Darte, H.W. Boneberg Members: John Kuntz, W.J. Saurin, B.H. Kepner, C.G. Branigan, J.P. Gibbons, H.H. Knoll, Dewitt Carter, D.H.Harvie, George Reekie, O.L. Steele
Bette Kalailieff
Born in Welland, Ontario in 1931, Bette moved to Port Colborne in 1951. She was heavily involved in the Port Colborne community and sports - starting both the Port Colborne Minor Girls Softball Association and the Port Colborne Comettes Ladies Fastball Team. She has been a player, manager, and coach through her years as well as serving on the board of directors for several organizations locally, provincially, and nationally.
Bette has been inducted into the Softball Canada and Provincial Women’s Softball Hall of Fames and has served on the Olympic Committee to have softball added as an Olympic sport. Recipient of the prestigious Rolf Lund Jule Nisse Award, she received in recognition for her contribution as a volunteer from the “Playground to Podium” initiative.
Bette served as the Ontario Commissioner for Softball Canada. She was the first woman ever elected Vice President of Softball Canada and was also the Chairman of the officiating committee for Softball Canada. Bette was a fully certified national coach and volunteered for numerous teams making a positive impact on Port Colborne youth, winning numerous provincial titles along the way.
Bette has received numerous awards and recognition for her years in sport and giving back to her community. Fittingly, the Provincial Women’s Softball Association “Volunteer of the Year” trophy is named the Bette Kalailieff Volunteer of the Year, and in 1988 Bette was the first recipient.
Danny Olesevich
Daniel John Olesevich was born in Port Colborne, Ontario on August 16, 1937. Danny played Jr. B with the Burlington franchise in the OHA’s Central Junior Hockey League beginning in the 1953-54 season. In the spring of 1957, he left the Industrials in the OHA Sutherland Cup playdowns. While at Burlington he signed a ‘C’ Form with the Detroit Red Wings. While playing Jr. B, he also served as the backup goaltender for the Wings Jr. A affiliate, the Hamilton Tiger Cubs. He appeared in eight Jr. A games with Hamilton over three seasons.
After attending the Detroit Red Wings training camp in the fall of 1957, he was assigned to the Edmonton Oil Kings for his last season of junior eligibility. Olesevich earned league MVP honours. He also appeared in pre-season games as well as two regular season matches with the Wings’ Western Hockey League affiliate, the Edmonton Flyers.
After retiring he assumed duties as an assistant trainer and equipment manager, as well as an emergency backup goalie for all the Wings home games. On October 21, 1962 he was called upon to replace the injured New York Rangers goalie. Olesevich, playing against his own Red Wings teammates, allowed two goals in a 4-4 tie. Within minutes of skating off the ice in a Rangers sweater, he was back in the Wings dressing room, packing their gear for a road trip.
Outside the dressing room Olesevich was a founding member of the Society for Professional Hockey Equipment Managers (SPHEM) and of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society (PHATS). In 1996 he became the first member of the SPHEM to be honoured with a plaque in the special area created for hockey trainers and equipment managers at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
1971 All Ontario Baseball Champions
Bill Hurst, Dean Tedesco, Bill McDonald, Terry Albano, Tony Grano, Bryan Elliott, Mike Sesto, Scott Gruhl, Coleman Bagu, Paul Conn (Coach), Peter Lee, David Uguccioni, Cam Sutherland, Tony Albano (Coach), Steve Anderson, Dan Porter, Darryl Gruhl, Dennis Deschamps, Guy Lacroix, and Bob Alcott (Coach).
Paul Barchiesi
Born in Italy in 1949 and immigrated to Port Colborne in 1950. Paul played high school football for the Port Colborne Blue Bears. In 1968 Paul was invited to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats High School football camp by Mr. Bernie Custis, a CFL hall of famer. This camp led to a roster spot on the affiliate of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Burlington Braves from 1968 to 1970. Paul was named the MVL (Most Valuable Linemen) in 1969 and 1970 and was one of the team captains during those two years. In 1970 the Burlington Braves won the Ontario Championship, Eastern Canadian Championships but lost the Canadian Championship in Saskatchewan. Paul was recruited to play football for the University of Western Ontario. He started at defensive tackle for Western from 1972 to 1975, he was named to the Ontario Universities Athletic Association (OUAA) All-Star team in 1974 and 1975, was an integral member of the roster that won the Canadian Championship in 1974, and was named as team captain in 1975. In the 1975 CFL draft, Paul was drafted 66th overall by the British Columbia Lions, but sustained multiple injuries in his rookie season which led to an untimely retirement from football.
In 1976, Paul went on to become a high school teacher and football coach at Notre Dame High School in Welland and took his teams to seven straight championship games winning six of the seven titles. In 1988 Paul became Lakeshore Catholic High School's inaugural Vice-Principal and head football coach. In 2017 Paul was honored by having a Niagara Regional football trophy named after him, The Paul Barchiesi award, which is given each year to the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association's Most Valuable Defensive Player. If you were to ask Paul, he would tell you his greatest achievement in life is his family. His wife Mary (nee McAvoy) who he married in 1977 and his three sons Aaron, Nolan and Bryan.
Nancy Gruhl
Born and raised in Port Colborne Nancy began her early skating career as a young girl. After a few years of training she ventured out with her brother to train under the likes of the well renowned Toronto Cricket & Curling Club, The Buffalo Skating Club, and The Tam O'Shanter Club. From there Nancy and her brother Rick proceeded to the Canadian Championships in 1970 while (Nancy being only 12 years of age) captured a Silver medal in Novice Pairs. In 1971 & 1973 Nancy and Rick were crowned Bronze Medalists in Junior Pairs. After a successful career in pair skating, 20 year old Nancy ventured out east to Newfoundland coaching figure skating. One year turned into five. From there Nancy tipped her toe into power skating and the rest is history.
Nancy has taught not hundreds but thousands upon thousands of skaters over the years. Many minor hockey players have benefitted from her teachings, and she has even trained many NHLers including Patrick Kane, Dan Girardi, Paul Bissonnette, Matt Ellis, Dan Paille, and many more. When a dinner meeting turned into a coaching partnership, Gallardi & Gruhl Power Skating was formed. Twelve years later they are still going strong following their motto, “can’t skate, can’t play”. For over 40 years (and counting), Nancy has touched the lives of countless skaters young and old and has been recognized as a very successful and effective skating coach. Nancy is proud to call Port Colborne home and can regularly be found at Vale Health & Wellness Centre providing group and private lessons.
About the Sports Wall of Fame
The last inductee ceremony was held in 2018 when the new Sports Wall of Fame was unveiled at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, replacing the original Wall of Fame that was created in 1991 at the West Side Arena. In addition to these eight new inductees, the other 27 members are: Umbo Concessi, Audrey Garrett, Dori Schooley, and Derek Amall, Ray “Bricky” Leavere, Scott Gruhl. John M. Horvath, 1934/35 PC Juniors, 1948/49 PC Merchants Intermediate “A”, Isadore Sponder, Fraser “Killer” Kilpatrick, Alexander McNay, J. Emedio Sergnese, Joseph Krahulec, Archibald T.C. Saville, Jerry Leitch, Muir “Goonie” McGowan, Mike Green, 1972/73 Intermediate Sailors, Edward James Rafferty, Bill Mountain, Ambrose Patrick McAvoy, E.G.March, Robert “Nipper” Wilson, Florent Cloutier, and James H. Walter.
The design and decision of new inductees was made by the Sports Wall of Fame committee members: Mayor Bill Steele, Bryan Theal, manager of recreation at the City of Port Colborne, and Tom Lannan.
To watch the inductee ceremony, view photos and read biographies of all 35 inductees, or to download the application to nominate an individual, team, organization, or volunteer, visit www.portcolborne.ca/sportswalloffame.
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