Joe Fowler

Joe Fowler. 1909-July 28, 1973. , In 1974, the park was named by the executive of Port Perry and District Minor Softball in honour of Joe Fowler, a dedicated volunteer who influenced the lives of many Port Perry youth. , The following information taken from his obituary (1973) gives us a view to the man and his importance in our sports community. Joe spent his early life in Toronto where he coached baseball and hockey. He adopted our area as his home in 1952. In the 20 years he lived here many local youth and their parents shared the gift of his friendship. Orphaned at an early age, Joe spent his early years as a boarder at St Michael's high school in Toronto. By the time he was in his 20s, he was actively involved coaching and managing hockey and ball. Joe was described by some of the youth he coached as "a Big Brother before there were Big Brothers". , Joe’s amazing rapport with young and old, combined with his organizational gifts made him an important figure in the history of Port Perry Minor Softball. He coached the IGA Pee Wee team to win the OASA championship in 1967. , Joe didn't have a wife, children, parents or siblings, but he had the love of many friends. Rarely does a person win the affection and gratitude that Joe Fowler earned among those who knew him. Young athletes he coached described Joe as "a warm person who had a profound effect on them spending every minute of his spare time coaching, managing and administering to the needs of youth." "Joe was compassionate and understanding and he was someone you could go to for counselling; he had a knack for helping with your problems, including those outside of the field of athletics." (Source: Port Perry Star, July 1973) , Rededicated by Port Perry Minor Softball on July 18, 2015.