Long-time sports columnist died Christmas Day

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Jeff Maguire

EMC Sports - A Carleton Place man who was well-known in the town simply as "Chatter" died on Christmas Day.

Gerry Townend, who penned a sports column for the Carleton Place Canadian community newspaper for nearly 30 years, passed away peacefully at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital after being in declining health for some time.

Most recently Townend and his wife Roberta, who survives him, had been residing at Carleton Place Manor after moving from their long-time residence on Victoria Street.

In the late 1970s Townend began writing a football column for the Carleton Place Canadian based partly on the Carleton Place High School program but also the Canadian Football League, and specifically the former Ottawa Rough Riders who were so popular at the time.

Eventually his 'Pigskin Chatter' column evolved into a general sports column for the paper that he called simply 'Chatter'. That name became his nickname in the community. In fact his pick-up truck carried a personalized licence plate with the same name.

Townend covered the former Carleton Place Legion Kings (now Almonte Thunder) during their "hey days" in the old Northwest Division of the Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey League. The club won championships in 1979 and 1981 under legendary head coach Bill Griese Sr.

The coach and Townend had their differences over some of the writer's columns which he (Griese) didn't approve of. Their verbal sparring matches became part of the folklore surrounding the hockey club. Legion Kings packed the local community centre for its home games and fans followed the club through the sports pages of the Carleton Place Canadian, including Townend's weekly column.

A retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Signal Corps), Townend later served as a custodian at St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School and the Carleton Place Post Office before retiring.

Besides his wife, he is also survived by sons Guy (Vicki), Mike, Rick (Angela) and daughter Trish Huntley (Patrick). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and by his brothers Ted and Randy.

A wake was held Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Tubman Funeral Home in Carleton Place. A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church last Wednesday morning (Dec. 28). Interment will be in the Parish cemetery at a later date.

Donations to Campaign for Life or Companion of the Cross would be appreciated by the family.

Watch for a longer obituary containing reminiscences about Townend's life, including his work as a newspaper columnist, in a future edition of this newspaper!