In Memorium - Bellies Alt Governor Harry Ferguson Passes Away

The B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League, as well as people around the B.C. lacrosse scene, are reeling after the sudden death last week of New Westminster Junior Salmonbellies governor Harry Ferguson.
The always-amiable volunteer, who had taken on a variety of roles at the top of the New Westminster program over the past 20 years, died on the weekend after a sudden illness.
“He was well respected in all lacrosse circles, a true gentleman who bled the red,” noted New West’s Walt Weaver, who shared governing duties with Ferguson. “He was a real ambassador of the game, and he loved the Salmonbellies.”
Born in New Westminster, Ferguson gained a reputation for being a straight shooter, but who could leave the battles in the rink and boardroom.
He played two seasons with the junior Bellies, in 1963 and 1965, and another two at the senior level, including a handful of games in 1968 with Coquitlam, and 25 games a year later with New West in the former InterCity League, where he counted 27 goals and 35 assists in the team’s unsuccessful run to the Mann Cup final.
While his senior A playing career ended prematurely, Ferguson continued his involvement with the sport by coaching and refereeing. He also served as commissioner of the Western Lacrosse Association.
He was brought onboard as general manager in the mid-90s under Murray Lehman, then succeeded Lehman as governor a handful of years later.
B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League president Karl Christiansen says some of his earliest, and fondest, memories in the sport involve Ferguson.
“I’ve known him pretty much my whole life – he was one of my first coaches in mini-tyke and was my first referee instructor,” recalled Christiansen. “He was never an absentee kind of guy, he was always at the rink, somewhere in the stands, ready to give his opinion.”

A date or place for a service was unknown at Record deadline.

The Junior Salmonbellies will be paying tribute to Harry during the upcoming 2017 Season

- See more at: http://www.newwestrecord.ca/sports/ferguson-built-a-legacy-with-bellies-1.5201597#sthash.VcBczeJK.dpuf