Description
CECIL: Cecil, the oldest of the six sons, participated in junior hockey and pitched baseball in Weyburn. He lived for a period of time in Digby, and on his return from WW2 duties, lived in Nictaux where he and his brother Harold operated an auto repair shop. Although Cecil did not spend much time in Middleton, his three sons, Don, Bob and Laurie attended Middleton schools and were involved in all sport activities. Don participated in hockey and baseball at Middleton MacDonald School and was a member of teams that excelled. Don moved to Toronto and in the mid 1960’s became President of the Scarborough Minor Hockey Association, a position he still holds after forty years. Bob was a member of the 1951 Middleton Intermediate Baseball Team that won the Maritime Championship, as well as a member of several other teams during his school years. Laurie could not forget sports because it was always the topic at home with his grandfather E.O. and his uncles. He participated in all sports at MRHS, and during his career was a physical education teacher, coach, and Sports Consultant for the Province of Nova Scotia.
ROY: Roy returned to the Valley from Sudbury and took over the coaching of the Middleton Royals Junior Baseball Team from Bill, who had started it.
Roy coached this team for two years and both years took the team all the way to the Nova Scotia finals, only to lose to the Springhill Fence Busters. Roy joined the service and during WW2 managed and coached the Yarmouth-based Army Baseball Team. He was an umpire for the Halifax and District Baseball League. He moved to Kentville and continued to be involved in sports.
BILL (Rocky): After spending a year or so in Kentville, Bill decided Middleton should have a hockey team to compete for the Nova Scotia Hockey Championship. He recruited several players whom he had met previously and a team was formed that went to the Nova Scotia finals, only to be defeated by a team from Antigonish. Following war service, Bill moved to Toronto, Ontario.
SPENCER: Spencer played hockey for the Berwick Apple Kings in 1935 and 1936 and with Middleton teams from 1936-38. Following war service Spencer moved to Kentville where he and his brothers Roy and Fred, following in their father’s footsteps, opened up a men’s clothing shop. Spencer maintained his interest in sports through his children.
HAROLD: Hal played junior baseball and hockey and was a member of the Scotia Gold Hockey Team in the local league. He played with the Middleton Maple Leafs, and along with Fred and Spencer, made up one line of the hockey team. Like all his brothers, he was a strong “team” player and his interest in sports continued throughout his life. Harold took over the family tailoring business and upon his death, Fred assumed the business.
FRED: Fred, the youngest of the six sons, played baseball with the Middleton Royals and the Middleton Cardinals, prior to WW2. In the 1930’s, Fred played with the Maple Leafs in Middleton. Following war service, Fred moved to Kentville where he kept active in both hockey and baseball. He and his friend Jack Lockhart of Kentville started the first Pony Baseball Team in Kentville and coached it for four years in the 1950’s. Fred did considerable umpiring in the Halifax and District League. He was an active curler after his return to Middleton, representing the Middleton Curling Club in several provincial junior playdowns.
Sister Margaret supported all her brothers in their activities, as well as participating in High School basketball and skating. One of the greatest supporters of the Montgomery family was their mother Margaret. She made sure everyone was well fed and on time for their numerous activities and competitions. This was not an easy task as she and E.O. not only raised their own clan of seven, but three grandsons as well, with their last residence being a roomy old home on Howe’s Hill, Nictaux.
