Tom Werely
Builder & Volunteer
Inducted: 2008
Tom Werely has contributed countless hours to youth and sports in South Stormont.
His involvement began in 1963 when he moved to Rosedale Terrace and would gather the neighbourhood kids to play softball at MacLennan Park. At the same time, he was also coaching a girl's softball team, lining up games when another team could be found in towns like Williamstown, Martintown and Avonmore. In the late 60's, he got more involved with organizing softball in the township, while at the same time coaching two teams. On many occasions, he would coach a team, and then put on his umpire's mask and call the rest of the games.
Tom's involvement in local sports was not limited to softball. He was one of the founding organizers of the Cornwall Township Girls Broomball Association, coached a number of teams in the league, and served as president of the association.
In 1992, he coached a boy's juvenile broomball team - the Eastern Ontario Hawks - to a silver medal at the provincial championships. Two months later, despite missing some key players, Tom's Hawks would make it to the semi-finals of the national championships in Quebec.
As a builder, Tom was largely responsible for the formation of minor soccer and softball programs for boys and girls in 1971. He was a member of the Cornwall Township Recreation Committee, and served as Chair of the committee from 1978 to 1994.
Throughout over 45 years of service to minor sports in Cornwall Township, Tom has been recognized with numerous awards for coaching and volunteering, including a commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, in celebration of his contribution to his community.
Tom is still coaching and umpiring softball in Cornwall at the age of 80.
Nancy Simpson presenting to Tom Werely.