Don Lewis 1935 - 2021
Inducted 2000 Curling, Ice Maker
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Don’s interest in curling began in Gray and continued in High School in Regina. His team went to the schoolboy’s Southern finals in 1954. Eventually his curling path led to his joining Norton Frei’s team. The Regina Men’s Bonspiel 1960 Grand Aggregate victory (skipped by Don) was achieved by finishing with 16 wins and no losses in a competition that included 288 rinks (a record that still stands today). The win at the 1964 Massey Farmer’s playdown (also with Don at skip) resulted in a trip to the nationals in Toronto.
Don took an interest in ice making and moved to Toronto for a couple of winters to work at the Beaver and Avonlea Curling Clubs. Don became a sought after ‘ice maker’ and put in curling ice for events at Maple Leaf Gardens as well as 14 Briers and Silver Broom competitions. (From a different source - 18 world championship competitions and the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary). He has worked a long time with curling and served as Saskatchewan Curling Association President 2001-02 and then sat on the Canadian Curling Association (International Committee 1996-2001 and as President 2001-02). In 1989 Don was honoured with a major award from the Canadian Curling Association - Ice Technician of the Year. That same year he was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in the Builder Category. In 2016 he was inducted into the Sask Curling Association Hall of Fame. When Don wasn’t busy making ice, he curled in Regina with different teams such as his own and Moe Campbell. Don has devoted many successful years to curling; as a competitor, and ice maker and then as an association member. |