Friends and admirers of the late Dave Stickney gathered Sunday in the lot of Gyro Motors at the corner of Laird Drive and the newly-named Stickney Avenue. Mr. Stickney (known to all as Sticks) was a friend, mentor and teacher to countless students at Leaside High School where he taught mathematics. The crowd heard from three members of the 11-person committee which was created to honour Stickney following his death last year while coaching a game in Goulding Park. Friends recalled the self-effacing nature the man. He once confided that he did not think he had accomplished much in life. His shocked friend set him right.
BURNSIDE REFLECTIONS
Other speakers were committee members Kevin Mark and Jim Wilson, a lifelong friend. The committee was thanked by Dave Stickney’s son, Eric, who spoke of how touched he and others in his family had been by the honours given to his dad. Also present was Don Valley West MP Rob Oliphant and Ward 26 Councillor Jon Burnside. Burnside was taught by Stickney at Leaside High School and later recruited into community activities by his former teacher. (See video below). Also in the crowd was Patrick Rocca. The new Stickney Ave was previously Markham Ave., a short length of road from Airdrie Road to Laird. The Stickney committee has also placed a bench at the top of the steps leading down from Cameron Crescent to the Talbot Park baseball diamond. The balance of some $15,000 raised was directed to The Leaside Scholarship Fund. Members of the Remembering David Stickney committee are James LeNoury, Daryn Everett, Liz Everett, Sandy Creighton, Ann Brown, Neil Anderson, Jim Wilson, Nick Mitchell and Jim Grant.
