Bob Pickering
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Bob was born in 1924 and at the age of 18, in 1942, joined the Navy and served for four years. After returning from the Navy he worked at the International Harvester Company for 34 years and after retirement enjoyed 11 years as a school bus driver.
Bob was involved with minor hockey from 1955 to 1969 where he served as manager of a Bantam House League team for two years. He was then asked by Lloyd Davidson to take over as Chairman of the Branch 28 Legion Bantam Hockey. He served on the Chatham Minor Hockey Board for several years but in 1965 resigned due to a conflict of interest with Junior “B” hockey.
Bob was involved with Junior “B” hockey from 1958, when the Junior “B” Maroons were formed, until Chuck Carson purchased the team in 1971. He was asked to be a Director at that time. In the formative years he did everything from driving players to out of town games, to carrying equipment. As time went on, he became trainer, stick boy, treasurer, president and did everything in between. Harold MacFarlane and Bob spent a lot of time together talking to players from Northern and Eastern Ontario with great results in getting a number of players from these areas. As President, Bill Rapley and Bob were instrumental in having the Toronto Maple Leafs sponsor the Junior Maroons as the team had signed Larry Davenport and Dick Johnson to Jr. “B” cards. Bob was also there when the Montreal Canadiens sponsored the team.
Bob enjoyed the time spent with the team and executive and still runs into many players who always stop to say hello and ask how he is doing.
Bob is a Royal Canadian Navy Veteran, a Mason, a Shriner and a volunteer with the Parthenon Lodge Benevolent Trust Fund.