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Norbert "Nobby" Wirkowski
August 20, 1926 - October 15, 2014
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<div itemprop="description">NORBERT &ldquo;NOBBY&rdquo; WIRKOWSKI <br /> <br />It is with heavy hearts we announce that Nobby passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15th in his 89th year surrounded with the love of his family. Married to Theresa (nee Lombardo) for the past 55 years. Loving father of Linda (Will) Drope, Norbie (Lucy), Carol (Mark) Elsley, and Rick (Kelly). Grandfather of Nicole, Adam, Laura, Lexi, Taylor and Olivia. Predeceased by his parents Adolph and Julia Wirkowski and his sister Lorraine Paciorek, of Chicago, Illinois. <br /> <br />Anyone born before the Second World War knows that Toronto has lost a sporting hero from the days when the CFL and NFL were at par and Varsity Stadium was jammed to the rafters with gents in Raccoon coats. Those born after, who were lucky enough to know him and fall under that steely blue-eyed gaze, knew they were in the presence of a special man. <br /> <br />Growing up in Chicago, he learned sports at Crane High School, where he was the only triple letter athlete since Bears owner George Halas accomplished the feat 40 years before. Nobby received countless scholarship offers in Basketball, Baseball and Football, finally deciding on Football at the University of Miami, Ohio, the &ldquo;Cradle of Coaches&rdquo;. There he played for Woody Hayes and played with the likes of Bo Schembeckler and Ara Parseghian. Nobby enjoyed relating how Sid Gillman pulled him up off the freshman team and made him demonstrate the &ldquo;Arm&rdquo;. He was especially proud of the two Bowl Games he won and the 18 of 21 passes he completed in his senior finale. True to his character he proudly served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific, but rarely spoke about it, except for the sea sickness he endured on the long journey overseas. <br /> <br />It was his early experiences in sport that forged the life he would lead in Canada as player and coach with the Argos, and as the quarterback of Hamilton and Calgary. Of course, his last minute touchdown pass to Zeke O&rsquo;Connor in the mud and fog at Varsity to secure the 1952 Grey Cup for the Argos, is the stuff of legends. While a professional, Nobby also coached and taught at De La Salle High School paving the way for his career at York University where he started the football program and retired as Athletic Director. Throughout his life, he touched the lives of many young people building upon their unique personal strengths while emphasizing the team. <br /> <br />Though a talented public speaker and story teller, Nobby was a man of few words, but a keen observer of people and their nature. He shook his head at the excessive celebration so prevalent in professional sport today, preferring to let excellence on the field do the talking. &ldquo;Play your game&rdquo; he would say, knowing that your confidence would be enough to beat a more talented opponent. He loved a winner, but knew that there was more to learn from a tough loss that was hard fought. <br /> <br />Truly, he dedicated his life to his family - wife Theresa and four children all blessed with his athletic genes and strong character. So proud of each of them, and so welcoming to their spouses, he truly beamed when his grandchildren were playing around him and his &quot;Granddogs&quot; Maggie, J.J. and Molly begging for yet another treat. <br /> <br />If desired, please consider a donation in his memory to the Oakville Hospital Foundation or to the Nobby Wirkowski Football Award at York University, www.ForNobby.ca. Online donation links can be found in the &quot;contribute&quot; section of this webpage. <br /> <br />Please take a moment to sign the online guestbook. <br /></div>