Cobourg Legion Minor Softball

Dick Turpin was a quiet man, a simple man, and certainly not one given to braggadocio, but when he walked down King Street in Downtown Cobourg, one couldn’t help but be aware of the impact he had on our community. Whether it was bumping into a countless number of his former players on the street, or the constant stream of yells that came from those driving past him in their cars, he was always greeted with the one moniker that suited him best and the one that he appreciated the most … “Coach”. Over the course of over thirty years spent coaching and mentoring hundreds of players in the Cobourg Legion Minor Softball League, as well as serving in an executive role, Dick spent countless hours on and off the diamond teaching his charges the fine art of softball and lessons in life. A well respected and talented player in his own right on the local ball scene, well versed in the art of laying down a bunt and using his speed to make his mark, his dedication to Cobourg Legion Minor Softball was complete. Dick took just as much pride in driving the Fire Engine in the annual Summer Sports Parade as he did in coaching the 1967  Winchester Juveniles to an OASA championship, and the 1968 Hillier’s Juniors to a provincial championship, to name but two of his many championship teams. In 1993, the OASA recognized Dick’s contributions by awarding him the F.R. Feaver Memorial Trophy for his outstanding contribution to the game of Softball. In addition, Cobourg Legion Minor Softball created the Dick Turpin Award, which was awarded annually to the player that best exemplified Sportsmanship and Dedication. Running concurrently with his involvement with local softball, Dick starred in the Cobourg Men’s Bowling League, excelling in 5-pin. Dick Turpin loved his family, his community, the game of softball, and the kids that he coached; all of which were a little richer because of him.

When Lionel Gutteridge passed away in 1991, Layton Dodge paid tribute to him in the pages of the Cobourg Daily Star, writing that “Gutteridge leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of sport in our town … it was his efforts as a volunteer administrator that set him apart from the crowd and led to his touching a lot of people”. A lifelong resident of our community (with the notable exception of his military service in the Second World War) “Tut’s” list of positions and contributions as a volunteer is immense. A founding member of Cobourg Legion Minor Softball in 1957, he also served as the association’s first-ever President in 1960, and for over twenty years as their Equipment Manager. His time and administrative talents were not limited to our town’s diamonds; as he was also an executive member of the Cobourg Community Hockey League, including serving as CCHL President, while acting as a referee and later in life, alongside his wife Gladys, as the Gatekeeper for Cobourg Cougars home games. In recognition of his years of volunteer service he was recognized with the Cobourg Legion Branch 133 Certificate of Merit (for 30 years of service to minor sport), was bestowed the status of Lifetime Member of both Cobourg Legion Minor Softball and the Cobourg Community Hockey League, which named their Coach-of-the-Year (House League) trophy in his honour. It should also be noted that he was a skilled golfer, claiming the Dalewood Golf and Country Club’s Senior Championship six times (in the first nine years of the event). A month after his passing, and acting upon a suggestion by Layton Dodge, the name of the park that was located beside his home, formerly known as the Stuart Street Park was formally renamed the “Lionel “Tut” Gutteridge Memorial Park. “In his later years, when the existing Legion softball executive purposely avoided assigning him any specific duties because of his personal health problems, Tut was miffed,” wrote Layton after his passing. “Even then, he still wanted to contribute. That’s the kind of doer he truly was. To the very end, we respected “Tut” Gutteridge for all he accomplished and what he stood for. We were proud to consider him a friend. We shall miss him. Cobourg will seem a little poorer, a little emptier now that he has gone to a better place – but his legacy will live on here forever”.