Passing Of Doug Challoner
November 17, 2009
Richmond, BC
Richmond, BC
Doug Challoner died on November 13, 2009at age 62 after a valiant two year battle with cancer.
Doug was born and raised in the Vancouver area. Doug wasa huge contributor to the Sr. and Jr. Men’s fastpitch game in BC for four decades.
He was an accomplished catcher in the‘70’s and 80’s and he won a Canadian Sr. Men’s Championshipwith Victoria Royals in the mid ‘80’s.
He played for various teams in the Lower Mainland including the first incarnation of VanCity Magicians and Steveston Army and Navy
and he came out of retirement to catchDarren Zack with the Vancouver Magicians in 1990. In the early 1990’sDoug also ran and coached
a junior team out of Steveston BC that won silver as host for the Canadian Jr. Nationals in 1992. That team featured pitcher Rick Smith
and Doug’s son Jimmy Challoner, and many other quality players. Doug later became President and the driving force behind the
South Hill Sports Association in Vancouver, along with hiswife Penny. In his role as President of South Hill Sports, Doug formed strong
ties with the New Zealand Black Sox, who have toured in BC on several occasions.
Doug started the Vancouver Grey Sox in 1996. He was a sponsor, GM and coach. The first edition of the Grey Sox medaled
at the Canadian Nationals in Victoria in 1997, but ceased operations in 1998. Doug resurrected the program in 2000.
At the same time he worked with the Kamloops Junior Patriots and ensured that team attended the Jr. Nationals.
Doug stepped down from the South Hill Sports Assn several years ago but stayed active as a player in Steveston
and he remained on the Board of Directors of the Grey Sox until the program was wound up in September of 2009.
Doug will be greatly missed by his manyfriends and colleagues in the ball community. Doug’s wishes were that there not be a formal
Memorial Service. An informal gathering to pay tribute to Doug will be organized soon and details posted
on Al’s Fastball List and The InsideCurve.
RIP Doug Challoner, and on behalf of the fastpitch community our deepest sympathies go out to Doug’s wife Penny and their families.
Regards,
Conrad Margolis
