In memoriam - John Forrest

The CBHA would like to pay tribute to Mr. John Forrest, our first CBHA president (1977-79), who passed away earlier this summer.

After regrouping with two other league owners in Ontario, he formed the first provincial ball hockey association in the country. Three years later, in 1977, he was already founding the Canadian Ball Hockey Association with the help of Al Tomalty and Ken White.

In 1979, he was honored with the Special Achievement Award from the Province of Ontario for his contribution to fitness and amateur sport. He continued giving back to his community during all his life working as an educator for 33 years, and then becoming the principal at David H. Church Public School and later at Mnjikaning First Nation’s school, finishing his career as their Director of Education.

Thanks to his hard work and perseverance, the CBHA was born, and we can still see his legacy today with thousands of kids playing ball hockey and growing through organized leagues across the country.

Our heart reaches out to his family and friends in these difficult moments. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.