Sea and be Scene

 Talk about cool – my Dad Jack Swinimer met up with NHL great Howie Meeker on Friday, September 3, 2010 for a special occasion – here’s the scoop on the celebration. Oh and BTW - the pictures come courtesy of Corey Tucker (Meeker's grandson) - thanks very much CT. SABS

 MEETING UP WITH MEEKER by Jack Swinimer

Mr. Howie Meeker journeyed from Parksville, BC to St. Phillips, NL for the occasion of his 87th Birthday Party celebration. Robust and active, Howie extended his usual exuberant greeting to one and all. A large number of family and friends attended, including many of the hockey players he once coached in Newfoundland and Labrador.

You can see the picture above with myself and  Howie holding a hockey stick won in 1973. Mr. Meeker was the coach at Scotiabank's Hockey College, and the stick he had autographed was won in a draw among those opening a new deposit account.  (My daughter won the stick)

Originally signed “Hi Have Fun Howie Meeker” – at the celebration an update was made by the man that reads "Hi Stephanie Have Fun  11 Howie Meeker H O F 88."

It was a great thrill, for all attending, to again meet Howie and relive the wonderful memories – a great day indeed! JS

The Memo on Mr. Meeker...

A player, coach and General Manager in the National Hockey League, Howie Meeker won Rookie of the Year honours in 1947 over a ‘pretty fair’ player named Gordie Howe. Howie won 4 Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Yes, Virginia, the Maple Leafs did win Stanley Cups).

Mr Meeker was a Member of Parliament for 2 years, while he was still playing with the Leafs, but did not run for re-election. After coaching and being a General Manager he began to run Hockey Schools at summer camps and came to NL where he is widely credited with revolutionizing how hockey is coached in the Province.

In the 1970's and ‘80's Howie Meeker became known to a whole new generation of hockey fans as an analyst on Hockey Night in Canada, using a telestrator  to demonstrate his points.

Mr. Meeker was elected to the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 1988.For more information on Mr. Meeker please visit to www.howiemeeker.com

Jack Swinimer was born in Gold River, NS and worked with the Bank of Nova Scotia holding several positions in NS, NL, ON and even Trinidad. 

After retiring from the bank in 1985 Jack went into business with his brother Bill Swinimer in Orillia, ON forming Uniplast Industries. 

Jack is semi-retired - always working at something business related (including Sea and be Scene) and ALWAYS cheering for the Red Sox!!!

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3 Comments »

1. 

   Great article on a great man. One of hockey's finest gentlemen. I had the honor of attending one his hockey schools in the early 70's. A true hockey legend.

   Comment by Stephen Nauss — September 11, 2010 @ 10:31 pm

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2. 

   Great article. Two great guys!!!

   Comment by Bill — September 12, 2010 @ 6:38 pm

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3. 

   Good for you Jack

   Great article Your looking good

   I am going back to hockey after missing it for 4 years with back problems

   your friend
   Huss

   Comment by Tom Hussey — September 12, 2010 @ 6:39 pm

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