Arthur (Art) W. Levere
Sport: Softball
Year Inducted: 1984
Arthur “Art” W. Levere was born in Cardinal in 1914, moved to Cornwall in the early 1920’s, and received his education at St. Columban’s Separate, Gonzaga High and Cornwall Collegiate & V.I.
For 15 years, 1947-62, Levere was dedicated to the promotion of softball in Cornwall. During this period as coach and manager, executive and sometimes umpire, he gave probably more of himself physically and financially than any one individual before or since.
His start in the game came about as a player with a team named the Ramblers in the City Junior League. He was then recruited and played for the Maroons in the newly formed North End League, playing at King George Park. The team won several League Championships up until the outbreak of World War II.
Art signed up, spent 5 years in the RCAF and played for the service team in the Bay of Quinte League.
Upon return to civilian life, he rejoined the Maroons under Percy Baker when the league was revived after 5 years of inactivity due to the war.
When Percy became seriously ill in 1947, he asked Art to take over the team; Art did so, and that was how he became involved in the promotional field. The game became an obsession with him. He spent the winters organizing and the summers operating, building contending teams with help along the way from a young fellow by the name of Doug Taillon who became a legend in Cornwall softball and a Hall of Famer.
The league, independent up until that time, improved in calibre; and, with considerable pressure from Art, it affiliated with the Eastern Ontario Softball Association in 1947. The first year, his team, the Meteors, carried the City League Champs, Howard Smith, to three one-run games in the first round of EOSA play downs.
Art played a big part in raising the calibre of the league with the addition of the Canadian Legion in 1948 and Howard Smith in 1949, both power teams. The Legion was the first post-war team to win the Eastern Ontario Championship in 1950, and Howard Smith in 1951 were both Senior and Intermediate Eastern Ontario Winners. Because of the intense rivalry, crowds ranging between 1000 and 2000 were not uncommon.
Art was impatient and always looking for new challenges as a builder of teams. He went on to organize, coach and manage several teams in four different leagues including both Senior and Industrial Howard Smith, Hydorn Senior and Intermediate, East End Sports Club in the East End League, North End Social Club, Brookshell Motors; he led a WSOM ladies’ team to the EOSA Finals. His teams won more Championships and competed in more tournaments, including the prestigious Massena Alcoa Tournament, than any other coach or manager.
He was the promoter who brought two first-class softball attractions to Cornwall – World renowned Ed Feigner’s King and his Court, and Ace Holden’s Four Man Team, which attracted 4000 people to Joe St. Denis Field.
A long term employee of Domtar, now retired, he spends the majority of his time on the golf course.
He died in 1986.