Bryan Jackson remembered in Schomberg

This plaque in the arena marks Bryan Jackson's contribution to the community.

Bryan Jackson was being remembered last week as a dedicated man who did a lot of positive work behind the scenes.

The former long-time manager of the Schomberg Community and Agricultural Arena died last Sunday at his home in Dundalk. He was 71.

"I knew him very well," commented John Archibald, formerly of Schomberg Minor Hockey and the Schomberg Cougars Junior C Hockey Club.

He recalled Mr. Jackson lived just behind the arena, on Western Avenue, and he remembered going to his house after games. Mr. Jackson used to buy a lot of beef and grind it into hamburger, so when one visited his place, "you got a darned good hamburger."

"He was a great guy," Archibald declared. "He had a heart of gold. He'd do anything for anybody. He was made for the job of arena manager."

He added Mr. Jackson was known for plowing neighbours' driveways in winter.

"He was just that type of guy, who would do anything for anybody," he said.

Many former hockey parents would remember Mr. Jackson, including Al Cober.

"He was always at the arena," he said. "He lived there."

Cober also recalled the days during the Schomberg

Fair, when Mr. Jackson would have the doors open by 7 a.m., and stay around to close at 10 in the evening.

"That was his contribution to the community," he remarked. "He was a real community minded guy."

Former Township councillor Bill Foran, who served a number of years on the arena board during Mr. Jackson's tenure, remembered him for his "really dedicated service to the community."

"He was the most accommodating fellow, in his own quiet, dedicated way," he added.

Foran especially remembered his behind-thescenes support of a number of projects in the community, for which he didn't want recognition. "The people sort of knew," he said.

Foran also recalled Mr. Jackson was always wellprepared for board meetings, and was always ready with useful suggestions.

"He spent a phenomenal amount of hours there," he said. "He had that quiet, dedicated, committed manner about him."

There is a plaque hanging on a wall inside the arena proclaiming Mr. Jackson's dedication to the community from October 1964 until January 1994.

Services for Mr. Jackson were held Thursday. He was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bolton.