My name is Leif Sogaard, some of you may remember me and know how close I am to the Bradbury family. I had the honor of Neil Bradbury calling me a friend, a brother and best man at his and Arlene’s wedding. Neil was my best friend.

With Neil’s passing in June, along with Bill, Max and Margaret’s passing I was inspired to do something to commemorate the Bradbury family and recognize all that this family has done for Port Coquitlam and especially Poco Minor Hockey.

Those of you reading this already know what this family of Marg (mom), Max, Neil, Rob, Bill, Tom, Dave, Bart and Andy have done for Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey.

Max was one of the first executive members of Poco Minor, a coach and a referee.

Mom Bradbury was the referee assigner for Poco Minor and Pacific Coast Amateur for countless years and assembled all the referees for the very first Bantam Tournament and continued those duties for years on end.

Rob – An original member of the Marco’s Hockey team, a coach, a referee and a supporter of Poco Minor Hockey.

Bill – Played on the Marco team, senior AAA Hockey but excelled as a great referee in the minor and junior leagues until his life was cut short.

Tom, Dave, Bart and Andy played and refereed in the Poco Minor system. They all spent countless hours doing volunteer work for the bantam tournament.

Neil, who was one of the first persons to skate on the ice of the new arena before it opened and was the driving force in creating Poco’s first hockey team (the Marco’s) before any minor hockey association was formed.

Neil lobbied the City Council for some ice time, recruited a coach and manager and more importantly a sponsor. Neil was a natural organizer and thru his promotions was able to get four to six hundred fans out to Marco hockey games.

Neil was one of the first employees at the arena, moved to the City Works Yard and became the local CUPE President and finally a National CUPE Rep.

Neil was a referee at heart, refereeing minor, junior A & B, university hockey plus Western hockey league and international games. He attended NHL pro camp but decided to dedicate himself to Arlene, his son Scott and CUPE.

Neil was a coach with passion and it is where he passed on his love of hockey to the next generation. An unfortunate fall left Neil with a major concussion/brain injury which eventually took Neil away from us.

It was Neil’s passing that prompted me to approach Poco Minor Hockey Association to consider implementing a Bradbury Memorial Trophy and a $500.00 scholarship/bursary to a deserving player and referee in the Poco Minor System. The recipient will use the scholarship to better themselves in refereeing or a trade school as all the Bradbury’s were in the trades.

This proposal was overwhelming approved by executive board and the worthy recipient would be chosen by the executive board each year.

A trophy will be donated by Debby Zilinsky (Vanderspek), who is also very close to the Bradbury family, will be designing and constructing a beautiful glassworks memorial.

Now for the part that involves all of us whom the Bradbury family has touched in one way of the other. We have a goal of raising $10,000.00 for the Bradbury Memorial fund to support the scholarship. I have setup a GoFundMe account in the Bradbury name and all the proceeds go only to Poco Minor Hockey. Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey has setup a VanCity bank account to hold all money donated. Any donation of $100.00 or more to Poco minor hockey will be issued a charitable tax receipt.

If a company or business donates $100.00 or more, the company’s website will be listed in the sponsors section of the Poco Minor’s Website and a business card sized ad in the Christmas Tournament program plus a tax receipt to the donor.

The intent is to have the Bradbury name be a part of Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey for many years to come and if we raise enough money it will be self-sustaining.

I have attached the authorization letter from Poco Minor Hockey for you to use if you are able to solicit from other sources.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up under the Bradbury Memorial Scholarship.

Go to https://www.gofundme.com/bradbury-memorial-scholarship

Check out Facebook, Bradbury Memorial

Checks can also be mailed to Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association P/O box 44 Port Coquitlam B.C. V3G 3VS with a note for the Bradbury Memorial fund. Or if you prefer a check made out to Port Coquitlam minor hockey association can be mailed to me @ Leif Sogaard 7251-188 street Surrey B.C. V4N 1M9

Or Deposit directly to any VanCity bank to account # 3027240 donations.

It must say “donations Bradbury” on the check.

Please pass this on to all of your friends, family and contacts that may have been touched by this amazing family and to those that may just wish help an aspiring referee or a person who wishes to excel in the trades.

Feel free to call or e-mail me if you have any questions.

604-764-0178 Benchboss3@shaw.ca

Sincerely

Leif Sogaard

Please pass this on to all of your friends, family and contacts that may have been touched by this amazing family and to those that may just wish help an aspiring referee or a person who wants to excel in the trades.

 

Click here to support Bradbury Memorial Scholarship organized by Bradbury Memorial

Bradbury Memorial Scholarship The Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey association is announcing at their Annual general meeting the creation of an annual cash scholarship and trophy in honor of Port Coquitlams first family of minor hockey. This award commemorates the Bradbury family’s contribution to…