Very sad news that well known umpire Lloyd Poirier passed away this morning (June 29)Â in Nova Scotia.
— It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lloyd James Poirier, 52, of Lower Sackville on June 29, 2009. Born in Grand Narrows, Cape Breton, Lloyd was a son of George and Michaelina "Mickey" (MacInnis) Poirier. Lloyd was employed by Air Canada and other airlines for the past 30 years. He was predeceased by his parents and an infant brother. Lloyd is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Miriam (MacLean); daughters, Leslie, Vancouver, B.C. and Tara, Lower Sackville; sister, Glenda (Allen) Roberts, Salt Springs; brothers, Daniel (Judy), Glace Bay and Kevin, Oshawa, Ont.; loving aunt, Sister Catherine "Tootsie" MacInnis and a number of nieces and nephews. Also long-time friend, Peter. Lloyd loved being surrounded by family and friends at special gatherings. His pride and joy were his two daughters. Also very important to Lloyd was his umpiring family. Lloyd was an avid fastball fan and was very involved in his passion of umpiring; as a Level 5 umpire, he umpired numerous tournaments locally, nationally and internationally over the past 20 years. The remains have been jointly entrusted to the care of Atlantic Funeral Home, Lower Sackville and W.J. Dooley Funeral Home in North Sydney. Visitation will take place today (July 1) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Atlantic Funeral Home, 125 Sackville Dr., Lower Sackville and in St. Andrew's Church, Boisdale, Cape Breton on Friday, July 3 from 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 4 from 9-11 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11 a.m., Father Francis Cameron officiating. Burial will take place following the funeral in St. Barra Cemetery, Christmas Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or a charity of your choice.
The passing of Lloyd Poirier is extremely tragic news.
I have worked countless tournaments with Lloyd and he was one of the greatest people to have on a crew.
Lloyd was always the one to gel all the crews with his attitude, smile, camaraderie, demeanor, confidence and friendship.
Lloyd was scheduled to work the Vancouver Challenge in two weeks for me but called just yesterday saying he would not be coming. He was so upbeat yesterday, happy, and jovial.
I had no idea that would be the last time I would ever speak with Lloyd.
I wish to send my sincere condolences and prayers to Lloyd's family and for them to know how much he will be missed. I am grateful to have known him.
God bless you Lloyd!
Bob Henning, BC
I had the privilege to work several times in the last three years with Lloyd, especially last year at The Canadian Sr Men. Lloyd was a gentleman on and off the field.
Today is a sad day for me, for Softball Nova Scotia, for Softball Canada and for the world of softball. Everyone who know Lloyd will say the same thing. LLoyd was and will still one of the finest umpires in Canada.
Serge Laflamme, QC
Very Sad news Al. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Roberto Manolo Perez-Leon
I am glad I was able to meet and work with Lloyd on the field. My condolences to his family.
Billy Norton
What! This is really sad, I worked with him in ISF Jr World Championship in Whitehorse, Canada and also in the AAU at Orlando the last three years. QUE DESCANSES EN PAZ MI AMIGO...
Gaby Hernandez, San Juan, PR
I was shocked today to hear of the passing of Lloyd Poirier. Softball here in Nova Scotia as well as across North America lost a great umpire and a true gentleman. I don't think I know anyone who enjoyed being at the ballpark more than Lloyd Poirier. Â
Tim Macumber, Truro, NS
I am saddened by the passing of Lloyd. He was a true professional and a great person. He will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Christman Lee, Vancouver, BC
A nicer, more decent gentleman, excellent
umpire and straight-up guy would be hard to find. Lloyd will be missed by
all who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him. My condolences
to his family.
Frank Omoe
I had the opportunity to work with Lloyd numerous times.
He was truly an ambassador for our game.
My sincerest sympathy to his family.
Jim Herbert
 Lloyd and I have become very close friends both on and off the field over the past years. On behalf of myself and all the umpires I know and have represented, this is terrible news to our entire umpire family.
Ron Brinkman, USA
We had the pleasure of having Lloyd here at the World Fastball Invitational, and the priviledge of knowing him on and off the field. A true professional and gentleman on and off the diamond, the entire Executive at the World Fastball Invitational Inc. would like to pass along our sincere condolences to his family, and grant them peace and prayer in this very difficult time.
We will certainly have Lloyd in our thoughts over the next 5 days in Monkton.
Brian Baillie
World Fastball Invitational
Monkton, ON
On behalf of the Umpires in Ontario and I we are in total shock! Lloyd has not only been one of the Blue Crew but part of our family here in Ontario. He will be missed dearly but never forgotton! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Peter Kluszczynski, Barrie, ON
God Bless Lloyd and family in these troubling times. There couldn't have been a nicer guy to umpire with. My heart goes to his lovely wife and children. God will have some competion up in the great blue now. Here's to a cold one for you Lloyd, I am sure that you would love us to make a toast to you.
Chris Lamer, Kingston, ON
This is indeed very sad news. My condolences to his family.
I had the pleasure to work both on and off the field with Lloyd many times and you could not have asked for a kinder, gentler and more courteous man. Â Add on the fact he was a skilled official and you have one of the best to ever wear blue.
Lloyd loved to umpire and was very persistent in his pursuit of his level V. You had to admire him for that.
This really, really hurts !
Don Bracey
This is indeed very tragic news. I've have had the pleasure of travelling to Canada on two occasions. One to Vancouver and the other to Whitehorse. On both trips Lloyd was my roommate, and on both trips Lloyd made my time in Canada even more pleasurable because of the great character of the man. My very sincere condolences to the Poirier family in these very sad times.
Lance Brown, New Zealand
I have had the absolute pleasure of knowing Lloyd for the past nine years as his manager at Air Canada. In addition we both shared a passion for umpiring; however I umpire baseball (hardball).Lloyd and I on many occasions tried to convince each other which sport was better, but in the end we agreed to disagree. However, during our banter, we shared experiences on how to handle situations, learn the differences in rules and just general fun. I was always amazed how much he loved umpiring and how much I learned from him by our chats over coffee.Lloyd, may you always be safe at home in the hearts and lived you touched. You will always be remembered fondly and missed dearly.
Andrew Downs, Supervisor of Umpires, Baseball Nova Scotia
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lloyd Poirier yesterday. For several years Lloyd has umpired at Cocoa Expo’s high school and college spring softball program in Florida. The past two springs Lloyd acceptedthe position as my UIC. He was the consummate professional and became an invaluable member of our team. He was extremely well liked by his fellow umpires, the Cocoa Expo staff and the many coaches whose games he worked. His passing will leave a great void at Cocoa Expo both professionally, but more importantly personally. We will miss him greatly. Â
Sincerely,
Jeff Biddle, Director of Athletics, Cocoa Expo Sports , Cocoa, FL
I first met Lloyd Poirier in 1992 at the 19 U (Midget Boy's) Canadian Fastpitch Championship in Napanee, Ontario. In fact, Lloyd and I were room mates at the Fox Motel in Napanee. I knew then I had met a comrade in arms.
Wouldn't you know it that in 1997 both Lloyd and I were again on the crew of the 23 U (Junior Men's) Canadian Fastpitch Championship in Oshawa, Ontario, about a twenty minute drive from my home in Pickering.
Since then we have umpired together at many tournaments throughout Ontario, Canada and the USA. We were both successful in achieving our Level 5 status in Canada and then our subsequent ISF certification.
For years Lloyd and I umpired the AAU Men's Int'l Tournament in January at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando and then we returned to Florida during the month of March to umpire some of the spring training games at Disney and/or Cocoa Expo. Many times we shared expenses of travel, food, beverages and accommodations when umpiring in the USA.
There are far too many fond memories of the times we had both on and off the diamond. We had a lot of fun and laughs along the way.
My friend Lloyd is going to be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
I ask each of you to keep Miriam and her two girls and family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of bereavement.
Brian SharplesChair - Fast Pitch Officiating Committee                Softball Canada
I am still in shock. It is really hard to believe. Lloyd was such a great
guy. We first worked together at the Sr. Men's Canadian and then again in
Orillia. A true gentleman on and off the diamond.
My thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathies go out to Lloyd's family.
George Findley
I had the pleasure of supervising Lloyd and working with him. A finer
person and representative of the game you will not find anywhere!
He was always a gentleman and supporter of every umpire both on and off the
diamond.
He will be sorely missed in the umpiring fraternity.
Our deepest sympathy to the Poirier family.
Dave Moore
I just arrived home from a weekend away with the family and I am in shock
reading the news of Lloyd's passing.
We'd got to know each other at Blue Conventions and then, further on through
the ISF Certification Clinic and on the field. He was one of the "good
guys", always greeting you with a smile and a quick line to make you laugh.
I'm going to miss him very much.
On behalf of Les and I, our condolensces go out to Lloyd's family.
Rest in peace my friend.
Greg Pipher, ON
We are sadden to here of the recent death of Lloyd Poirier. New Zealand umpires visiting Canada have always been welcomed and exceptionally well hosted. Lloyd’s hospitality to towards his fellow umpires at the recent ISF Junior World Championship was greatly appreciated by his colleagues. It takes a very special person to be well respected both on and off the diamond. Would you be so kind to see that these condolences from New Zealand are past on.
Wayne Saunders, NZThe entire world umpiring family lost a true friend and skilled official. Having know Lloyd Poirier for many many years, I can attest ot his love of the game of softball and umpiring the game at any level. I was fortunate to work with Lloyd last year at the World Junior Men's. Lloyd was a leader both on and off the field. I am a better person for having worked and known LLoyd. God take care of you, my friend.
Bob Stanton
It was quite a shock to hear of Lloyd's passing. I had the privilege to meet and work with Lloyd on several occasions including being his UIC in Nova Scotia when he obtained his Level V designation. Lloyd was the leader of that crew. In addition to be a great official on the field he always loved having fun, he was a happy person who enjoyed being part of our game. Lloyd all of the Blue Crew will miss you.
To Lloyd's family my sincere condolences you have lost a wonderful person who was well respected by his peers. May God bless all of you.
Randy Souliers, NL
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