STELLARTON – His contributions to sports in Pictou County is near-legendary.
Leo Fahey, a Cape Breton native who came to Pictou County in 1947 and never left, died Wednesday at age 93.
“Sports was his life, it didn’t matter what was going on,” said Barry Trenholm, curator for the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame.
A member of the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame (1988 inductee), the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame and Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame, Fahey was honoured by the Town of Stellarton in 2005, which named a street after him – Leo Fahey Way.
“Growing up, I’d see him around the ball fields and hockey rinks,” said mayor Danny MacGillivray.
“Stellarton was very fortunate to have Leo Fahey come here to be part of our town.”
In his early 20s, Fahey was a Maritime boxing champion and later a star player in senior hockey in the 1940s and 50s. He played senior baseball with the Stellarton Albions, coached hockey, track and rugby at Stellarton High School for several years.
His love of sports – and coaching – put him in touch with countless athletes over the past 60 years.
“He coached everything,” said Trenholm.
“He was tireless, and enjoyed every aspect of it.”
In later years, he started Twilight Leagues for women’s hockey and softball.
Not one to back away from a challenge, in 2000, at age 75, Fahey ran the Johnny Miles half-marathon – while wearing hockey skates.
“He had a real passion for the sports he taught,” MacGillivray said. “It really showed in him, and the kids he taught.”
Fahey’s funeral is Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Name in Westville.
