Harold MacFarlane
Return to All Inductees
Born in Arnprior in 1922 and grew up in Vankleek Hill where he was a hockey and track and field athlete of note. Upon graduation Harold worked with the CNR railway for three years and then enlisted in the RCAF during WWII. In the service he would meet and marry a Chatham lady, Jean Grand, who served in the women’s division of the RCAF. They returned to Chatham where Harold worked for International Harvester for 32 years. Their family of daughter Donna, and sons Michael and Terry would grow to 7 grand children and 1 great grand daughter.
During this time Harold became involved with minor hockey and served as the Chatham president in 1957-58. In 1958-59 he coached the Chatham Juveniles to the Ontario Championship and with this success he formed Chatham’s first Junior Maroon Hockey Club in 1959-60. This was the origin of what would become a well know hockey tradition throughout Ontario and beyond. Although the team has undergone changes in ownership, leagues and names, Harold has been the one constant throughout it all. He has held the titles of Manager, Head Scout, Assistant Coach and is still the OHA representative for today’s Torrie family owned Maroons. As well Harold scouted for 5 years for the Sudbury Wolves before transferring to the scouting staff of the Central Scouting Bureau in Toronto. He and his staff of 3 scouts covered everything from Oshawa to Detroit and all of Michigan.
For his efforts he has received recognition from the OHA for continued service, the City of Chatham for dedication of Jr. hockey, the Ontario government for contribution to the community and a special Volunteer Service Award in 2002 from the Ontario government. Harold was a past adjutant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Chatham, was a radio operator for the former EMO following WWII, active in the Boy Scouts movement and former board member at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Over the years Harold has encouraged both local and import hockey players to achieve success. The list of athletes who did this, both on and off the ice, would go on and on but each of them knows that somewhere or somehow Harold had a hand in their progress. His dedication to the Junior Maroons program and to the City of Chatham is without question and has benefited the lives of many individuals and families.
At this point he has 44 years of continuous service to the Maroons and the words “Thank You” seem insignificant.