Event Date : Monday, October 06, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Norman (Dodger) Collings, whose life spanned the fields of sports, farming and community involvement, died at the age of 65 Monday after a short illness in Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton. Mr. Collings was born in Bradford and educated at the local public and high school. After finishing high school, he began a professional hockey career. During that career, he played with a number of American minor league teams as well as the old New York Americans and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He also played on a West Toronto Memorial Cup championship team. Mr. Collings was renowned locally for his athletic ability and, as well as being an accomplished hockey player, he was active in lacrosse, curling and golf. Before joining the management of Hardee Farms and Federal Diversiplex in the mid-sixties, Mr. Collings worked as a market gardener on land he owned in the Holland Marsh. In 1965 he joined Hardee Farms and in 1970 was appointed vice-president and general manager of the Bradford plant's operations. Always enthusiastic, Mr. Collings also involved himself deeply in the community. He was a member and past president of the Bradford Lions Club and an Elder in the United Church. He served as the town's volunteer fire chief, succeeding his father who had held the post before him. For a number of years, Mr. Collings was a member of the Bradford Village Council and was a former member and chairman of the Bradford and District Community Centre Board. His works in the community brought Mr. Collings the respect and esteem of the community at large. While active in his community, Mr. Collings was an unassuming man. He was known to most people by the nickname Dodger, which he picked up during his sports career. Mr. Collings is survived by his wife for more than 40 years, Jean; his son, Tom, now a county engineer in Stratford; his daughter Mary Jane Buyers, now living in Melbourne, Australia, and seven grandsons. Mr. Collings is resting in the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford. Funeral services will be held at the Bradford United Church Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

An article about the history and popularity of the game of lacrosse in Bradford, written by Luanne Campbell Edwards.

"At this time in June, 110 years ago, there was only one topic being discussed in every household in Bradford: the Bradford players on the Canadian Lacrosse Associations' All Star Team, then playing across Canada on their way to Vancouver, as part of an around-the-world trip promoting the national game. At that time in Canada's history, that game was lacrosse - not hockey..."

Contains news clippings and articles on various sports of Bradford West Gwillimbury

A photograph printed in the Yesterday newspaper section of the Bradford Witness. It shows Canada's national team in 1907. Bradford members on the team included V. Graham (top row, second from left), Dr. Lewis H. Campbell (top row, third from left) and Fred Coombs (front row, seated)."

The newspaper caption reads (note that the year and Dr. Campbell's first name are incorrect, see above for clarification): "Canada's recent Lacrosse world championship victory in England could mark a revival of our truly national sport. In Bradford Lacrosse was widely played early this century with the area producing several world-class competitors. This photo, submitted by Thomas Pratt of Islington, shows Canada's national team of 1915. Bradford members on the team include V. Graham, second from left, top row, Dr. Lou Campbell, third from left top row, and Fred Coombs, seated in front."

Field lacrosse game on the old lacrosse field on Simcoe Road, across from the tennis courts and arena.
From Harvey Marks: "This is a lacrosse game taken about 8 years ago [1911] across from present Community Centre, west side of Simcoe St."

"T.E. Bell (Pres.); W. Sutton (trainer); E. Gapp (Capt., D.); E. Armstrong (C.); E. James (C.); G. Lang (O.H.); M. Campbell (O.H.); R. Wilson (Mascot); B. Stoddart (D.); J. Webb (R.); W. Mulliss (I.H.); B. Cavallo (G.); D. Wilson (I.H.); S. Gapp (R.); J. Church (O.H.); K. Seim (R.); W. Reeves (Coach); C. Evans (Sec. Treas.)

Bradford Box Lacrosse Club, Champions Tri-County Box Lacrosse Associations, McCarthy Cup, Spring 1932

Rickard Photo No. 133-B Panoramic Camera, 321 St. George St. Toronto"

Photograph of Dr. Lewis H. Campbell, taken in Australia in 1907 during the All Canadian Lacrosse team tour of Australia in which he was one of three Bradford players. At this time Dr. Campbell had played in more championship games than any other player in Canada.

Newspaper article dated 1891 from the South Simcoe News about Lacrosse in the town of Bradford, including names of members of the Lacrosse team in Bradford. Includes a stamp saying L. Campbell 227 1/2 George Street. Dr. Lewis H. Campbell had the local paper sent to him in Toronto while attending medical school.

Photograph of the 1908 Intermediate O.L.A. Champions.

Front Row: W. Reeves, Rex Morris (Mascot), J. Webb.

Middle Row (left to right): L.H. Campbell, W.C. Davey (Ex-President),
W.L. Campbell (Sec'y Treas.), T.E. Bell(President),
G.G. Green (Ex-President), B.B. Collings (Captain), L. Cotton.

Back Row (left to right): J.H. Martin, O. Robinson, N. McKinstry,
J. Sutherland, W.G. Sutherland, Robert McKinstry,
R. Anderson, E.V. Graham, L. Church.