It’s my Parting Shot for some Weekend Short Shots…..

There were a couple of sad, yet notable people from my Winnipeg life who passed away in the last little bit. Fear not, I’m not talking about people you have no clue about, but two people who should be very familiar to you!

One is Colleen Jones. Before I moved to Saskatoon in 1994, I did a lot of competitive curling and reported on the sport. I attended and worked at three Silver Brooms, what the World Men’s Championship was originally called, and four Briers. I crossed paths with Colleen Jones several times at those events and she was always approachable and friendly – whether in her capacity with the C-B-C or as an interested competitive curler. She was one of the greats and it’s tragic that she passed away from that dreaded cancer at age 65!

The second is Bill Clewes. A gentle giant of a man who worked in the CJWW sports department, along with Leon Tansey, back in the late 80s and early 90s before I arrived on the scene. I got to meet Bill and his wife Lisa Ford while coming to Saskatoon from Winnipeg to report on the 1989 Brier, the 1989 Memorial Cup and Winnipeg Jets’ training camps in 1989 and 1990. Bill was kind, welcoming and a boat load of help for a guy, who at that time, was unfamiliar with where to go and what to do in Saskatoon. What you also may not know, Bill Clewes was the last full-time play-by-play announcer of the Blades before I became that person in the fall of 1994! Again, a wonderful, kind life too soon taken at the age of 65!!

A big salute needs to go to Scott Flory and the football program at the University of Saskatchewan that he has so capably taken over the iconic Brian Towriss – nurturing and maintaining its standard of excellence. The number of Huskies who dot the various C-F-L rosters is impressive to say the least! And, the tradition continues as the Saskatchewan Roughriders will reap the benefits of Flory’s guidance and leadership, having signed all-Canadian linebacker Seth Hundeby and receiver Daniel Wiebe to contracts for the 2026 season. Those two have the pedigree, being from the Huskies, to be more than just special teams demons, but players who can compete more than capably against the best the C-F-L has to offer! Congrats to Scott, Seth and Daniel!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!