Booyah, Memories of An Old Rink Rat
The Life and Times of Don Pecore
by Don Pecore and Tina Bagordo
This extraordinary tale began with the birth of Don Pecore ("Booyah") in South Porcupine. Heavily involved in hockey and ringette as a player, coach and then administrator, Don has left a positive mark on many lives. He traces his life from the beginning in 1919 through to 1993. He writes of his early years; his family history; his involvement in hockey and ringette as a player, coach and administrator; the war years as a tank crew commander in WW II and the liberation of the Netherlands; and his career as a miner, arena manager, and recreation director. He attempts to find meaning in his life by locating it in his family roots and his experiences throughout his life in the context of his times.
Don came to the North Bay area in May 1967 as Recreation Director and Arena Manager for West Ferris Township. When West Ferris amalgamated with the City of North Bay, he continued to manage the West Ferris Arena. In June of 1977 he was transferred to the Doublerink arena. He retired in 1984 but continued his work with minor hockey and ringette until the time of his passing in 1993.
He received many awards and acknowledgements for his work in minor hockey and ringette including the prestigious Ken Neeb Special Achievement Award for outstanding contribution in minor hockey, the Judge Harry J. Reynolds Trophy for his service in numerous roles for the sport of hockey, induction into the Ontario Ringette Association Hall of Fame in the Community Builder category, and induction into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
Don was a very gifted person who understood service to others, commitment, integrity, and believed that actions always spoke louder than words. This book was written primarily by Don, who was unable to finish it before he passed away in 1993. His daughter Tina 
finished the compilation of his notes, edited and added a very poignant end note chapter with her own comments and observations. The Index is handy for tracking the names of people who appear in team photos and everywhere through the book. In the section on his service during World War II, there are seven maps that track his Regiment's route during the liberation of the Netherlands. Wonderfully written, with 7 maps and 127 photos, this is a book to treasure for the history and the memories.
To have a look at the Index to this book, click here.
To use our Order Form by mail, download the PDF Order Form here.
ISBN: 9781894747646 | WMPub# 8039 | 8½" x 12"
192 page trade paper; 7 maps, 127 photos | $29.95 CDN
Table of Contents
5Acknowledgements
6Introduction
PART ONE: THE EARLY YEARS
7CHAPTER 1 Family Histories
13CHAPTER 2 Memories of Mother's Family
26CHAPTER 3 Memories of Dad's Family
28CHAPTER 4 Granny Burns
30CHAPTER 5 My Family
38CHAPTER 6 My Youth Years
PART TWO: THE HOCKEY YEARS
41CHAPTER 7 Hockey
59CHAPTER 8 Coaching
PART THREE: THE WAR YEARS 1939 - 1946
73CHAPTER 9 The War
110CHAPTER 10 Letters from the War
119CHAPTER 11 Return to "Civvie" Life
121CHAPTER 12 Remembrance Day
PART FOUR: THE ARENA AND RECREATION YEARS
124CHAPTER 13 South Porcupine, Ontario
139CHAPTER 14 Newmarket, Ontario
140CHAPTER 15 Bramalea, Ontario
145CHAPTER 16 North Bay, Ontario
150CHAPTER 17 Retirement
PART FIVE: MEMORIES AND TRIBUTES
153CHAPTER 18 Return to Holland
159CHAPTER 19 Memories and Tributes
176CHAPTER 20 A Daughter's Perspective
180AUTHOR'S NOTES
181BIBLIOGRAPHY
184INDEX
191Don's Last Message