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It is with sincere sadness that the Kitchener fastball family announces the death of a local legend, Donald “ Pete†McIlwraith, on Wednesday June 11, 2014.
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Pete spent a lifetime playing, coaching, promoting and living the great game he so loved. He was the founder and driving force behind Civitan Sports and with his leadership helped raise thousands of dollars to assist local fastball and community charities. He was the founding director of the Civitan Sport Fastball Jamboree which brought hundreds of youth girl’s and teams from across North America to compete in Kitchener.
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Pete was a tireless volunteer and through his efforts hosted numerous international Women’s National Team events most recently the pre-Olympic Tri-Nations Cup in 2008. Pete was also a valued director with the Legends of Fastball Classic and volunteered at past ISC World Tournaments held in Kitchener.
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Pete was elected in the Builder Category of the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 2005.
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Pete was a tireless worker for his church and his community having travelled to under developed countries on numerous occasions to help build houses and schools.
He was a loving and giving person who always put the needs of others before his own. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he leaves behind a legacy of making the world a better place, one pitch at a time.
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Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Check the Waterloo Regional Record for details.
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 - by Larry Lynch
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Donald 'Pete' McIlwraith has spearheaded just about every woman’s softball program in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Pete has always answered Softball Canada’s appeal for assistance with the National Team, from helping with selection camps, exhibition games, skills camps, all the way to raising money to help send the National Team to the Olympics.Â
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His many accolades include being named Honourary Citizenship by the mayor of  Nashville, Tennessee in 1979 for his contributions to the Civitans softball program. In 1981 he received the PWSA’s Outstanding Service Award; he was Volunteer of the Year as named by the Kitchener Minor Girls Fastball Association in 1995. In 1997 he was named to the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1987 Midget Girls National Championship team.
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Pete was a founding member of the Guelph Boys Minor Softball Association (1964); in 1969 he was a founding member and President of the Guelph Girls Minor Softball Association. Mr. McIlwraith’s addition to the Builders  category of the Softball Canada Hall of Fame was a very simple decision.
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McILWRAITH, Donald "Pete" Passed away at St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 78 on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Jean (nee Robertson) for 55 years. Adored father of Heather Robinet (Marc) of Seaforth, Paul McIlwraith (Carolyn), and Allison McIlwraith (Bob Mayhew), all of Waterloo. Cherished Bamps to Rebecca, Rachel, Samantha; Leah (Brad), Scott, Tess, D.J.; Larissa and Tatum. Dear brother of Eileen Steep of Guelph. Predeceased by his parents Walter and Ethel (nee Wallace) McIlwraith, brothers Wally, Morley and Ken. He was a long-time civil servant with the Construction Health and Safety branch of the Ministry of Labour. Pete spent a lifetime playing, coaching and promoting the game of softball. He helped start the Guelph Boys Minor Softball Association; was a founding member and president of Guelph Girls Minor Softball Association; and a member of the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame. After moving to Kitchener, he was the founder and driving force behind Civitan Sports and with his leadership helped raise thousands of dollars to assist local softball and community charities. He was the founding director of Civitan Sport Fastball Jamboree which brought hundreds of young girls and teams from across North America. Pete was a tireless volunteer and through his efforts hosted numerous women's national team events. Pete was a director with the Legends of Fastball Classic and volunteered at past ISC World Tournaments held in Kitchener. He started the Can-Am Softball exchange between Nashville and Kitchener in 1975 and received the key to the City of Nashville. Pete was inducted into the Builder Category of the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 2005. A tireless worker for his church and his community, Pete traveled to under-developed countries on numerous occasions to help build houses, schools and provide disaster relief. He also volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics; he was a loving and giving person who always put the need of others before his own. He leaves behind a legacy of making the world a better place - Vision without Action is merely a Dream. Vision with Action can change the World. Visitation: Monday, June 16, 2014 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener, 519-749-8467. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Waterloo Mennonite Brethren (WMB) Church, 245 Lexington Rd., Waterloo followed by a reception. As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers donations to Children of Hope or WMB would be appreciated. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Pete's memorial.
