CBF Pioneers

by Karl Williams, Ted Abel, and Eric Abel “a little history” Part 138 2/8/24
CBF PIONEERS THAT MADE CANADIAN BOATING FEDERATION (CBF) WHAT IT IS TODAY

Photo taken at Stock Outboard Stock Nationals at Porters Lake, Sydney, Nova Scotia (Expo Year Canada’s Centennial) 1967

Here are some of the great volunteers who made things happen behind the scenes as owners and racers received the glory! These hardworking people made boat racing in Canada possible. They are never to be forgotten. From left to right:

1. Fred Shorney was Chief Inspector, Director of CBF, and headed the CBF Safety Commission. Fred served on the Racing Commission, it seems like forever. He was a crackerjack mechanic who taught others and built engines for anyone who asked. Many winners benefitted from Fred’s work, including Ron Robinson and Jim Monahan. Jim gave Fred his 1st National High Point Plaque. Fred was famous for never being without his pipe in his mouth, and was buried with it.

2. Jim Monahan was a fun-loving Irishman who raced primarily in D Stock Hydro and later in Inboards. He always had very hot equipment and drove very hard. Jim also built his own engines—some for others—and some with one of his three sons, Hugh Monahan. They travelled to a lot of APBA races in New York and all over the Northeast USA. Jim was also a prankster, and a group of racers once turned the tables on him. He was in a porta-john and they turned it upside down with Jim in it! His only remark I can repeat was in reference to Gooney Birds. Sadly, Jimmy had an Inboard racing accident that was so severe it ultimately took his life. Jim Monahan was a great friend to all he met. At his time of passing, he left behind his wife Pauline and sons Hugh, Michael and Paul.

3. Marion Hunt was Chief Scorer and Registrar at most CBF Races for a long time. She often worked as a team with Doe Shorney, usually for Referees Ron Robinson, Vera Barrie, Vic Waring and Bill Hodgson in all Divisions of CBF. Marion always had a smile for everyone. She died a few years ago in her mid-nineties, the last in this photo to pass.

4. Pauline Monahan (Jimmy’s wife) was a Chief Scorer in CBF Zone Maritimes. She worked diligently with Weldon Allen and husband Jim to put on many races and continued after the Monahan family moved to Ontario. Pauline was a very lovely lady and a friend to all she met.

5. Darcy McConvey was a very good President of CBF who travelled to all divisions of races in Canada. Darcy also owned and operated Dalex, distributing Mercury Outboards, Inboard engines and parts across Canada. Darcy McConvey and his right-hand person Vera Barrie gave excellent and personalized service to all marine dealers in Canada. This continued until Mercury opened up their Canadian-based Head Office Division in Mississauga, Ontario.

6. Vera Barrie was an original old salt of a lady, a very strong no-nonsense presence in everything she did; both at Dalex with Darcy McConvey, and in CBF from their start in 1950. Vera was married to the late Ian Barrie, one of the original founders of CBF. They started with a Canada-wide charter that regulated Canadian waters—a true National Authority that promoted Safety on Canada’s waterways. The original founders, along with Vera and Ian Barrie, were Wallace Wood, R.R. Finlayson, Charlie Ricketts, Norm Arthurs, Reg Sparks, Allan Lamport, William Braden, George Duthie, James Hyland, Thomas Fendlay, Laurence Usher, Robert Schelling, and Armand Clairmont. All were high-profile businesspeople in Canada. CBF were also co-founders of Canada’s Boat Shows and Sportsmen Shows, and received revenue from all.
Vera Barrie was very fair, but punctual, and tough when she had to be; and went by the book. She was one of the first inductees into the CBF Hall of Fame. What a great lady she was!

7. Ron Robinson had a splendid career as President of Canada Bread, excellent achievements in racing, and was a strong builder and executive in CBF. Ron was a D Stock Hydro racer who, with help from Fred Shorney, won a lot of races, including Stock Nationals in Vancouver in 1960. Ron always raced hard and fast! Ron held many executive positions in CBF, including Stock Outboard Committee Chair, Racing Commission Chair, Board of Directors and then President. He was a referee all the time he served CBF, and was one of the very best we had. Ron was a no-nonsense, by-the-book referee, but consistent and fair. He always had an eye out for safety at all races and Divisions he refereed. He had the best possible people with him; he well knew he was not a one-man show. They usually included Doe and Fred Shorney, Vera Barrie and Marion Hunt. That team was the best any racer could dream of! They all commanded respect and always received the same back. His wife Tanis usually attended the races with him. His strong rule was never to party with the racerss; he was never in the pits when the race was over. That would be a good guide for all referees today. Sadly, Ron Robinson passed away much too early. .

8. Doe Shorney (wife of Fred Shorney) was Chief Scorer in CBF and taught others to serve on the judges stand as well. Her team also handled registration at all race she attended. Doe was always fair but firm in her team’s decisions, as well as on the race committee at every race if there were any protests or disputes. Doe always commanded respect and got it!

All of the above were great pioneers that laid the way for racing as it should be in Canada. CBF didn’t just happen; it took many volunteers to build it up to where it is today. We owe them respect for their dedication even in these times today. This is something the young and the old should always remember. These people were part of writing the General Racing Rules of CBF that should never be discarded. Thanks to all of them for their contributions to the Canadian Boating Federation and racing.

Ted Abel, past Director of CBF for 40 years and President for almost 10 years

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
James G. Thompson

Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame
Harry Greening
Ted Gryguc
Fred Kiekhaefer
Lorne Leibel
Mark Rotharmel
Jean Theoret
Robert Theoret
Jim Thompson
John Webster
Harold Wilson
Norm Woods
Canadian Boating Federation Hall of Fame
Ted Abel
Art Ashbury
James Auld
Ralph Barker
Vera Barrie
Pierre Beauchemin
Oley Berkis
Aubert Brillant
Fred Brouse
Robert (Spike) Burns
Robert Cabana
Steve Carruthers
Spencer Dunn
Ron France
Russell Haworth
Warren Haworth
Tom Henderson
Bob Heywood
Warren Haworth
Tom Henderson
Bob Heywood
William Hodgson
Fred Kiekaefer
Marcel Laberge
Roger Laurin
Jules Leboeuf
Ubald Leduc
Donald MacDonald
Garry McArthur
Gordon McCreedy
Paul Pigeon
Mark Rotharmel
Cyril Smith
Charles Strang
Gerald Theoret
Robert (Bob) Theoret
John Webster
Harold Wilson, Sr.
Fred Wolf
Norm Woods