MONTREAL — McGill Athletics & Recreation regretfully announces the death of Harry Haukkala, who served as a place-kicker and fullback on McGill’s 1960 Yates Cup championship football team. He passed away suddenly on March 21 at the age of 81.
Born Oct. 17, 1932, the native of Verdun, Que., attended Rushbrooke School, then played junior football with the Verdun Shamcats. A 5-foot-10, 225-pound fullback, he then enrolled at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., where he was named as league MVPΒ twice in three seasons. He transferred to McGill in 1960 and graduated with an engineering degree in 1962. During his first of two seasons with the Redmen, the team captured their first title in 22 years and was later inducted to theΒ McGill Sports Hall of FameΒ in 2000.
His achievements in sports were only overshadowed by his commitment to the community through his charity work. A member of the Boy Scouts, Haukkala was nominated for the Knights of Tamara, an honour society formed in 1933 to recognize outstanding campers. He was active in the Masonic order, an ambassador of the Karnak Shriners and a past director of Montreal Court No. 63 of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was the recipient of the W. Gordon Parker medal of merit from the Shriners. Haukkala, whoΒ served as a member of the board of regents of Mount Allison from 1984 to 1991, was also an emeritas member of the board of governors of The Montreal Shriners Hospital for Children, serving from 1999 to 2008.
He is survived by Louise (nee O’Neil), his wife of 49 years and son Alan, along with grandchildren Melissa and Kevin.
A family graveside service will be conducted at the Rideau Memorial Gardens in Dollard des Ormeaux, Que., in the late spring or early summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or to a charity of your choice. E-mail condolences can be forwarded to his son atΒ [email protected].
Online messages can be posted at:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/montrealgazette/harry-haukkala-condolences/170401908?cid=full#sthash.rJYPCBdl.dpbs
(Source: Β Earl Zukerman, McGill Redmen Sports Information)
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