Notable people in Trail BC

Heather saying…this isn’t going to be posted, is it?

The Salvation Army Corps

What is Trail BC like? And where is Trail BC? I’ve traveled throughout BC and never been to this small town built into the hilly landscape of the mountains. We’ve had several friends stationed as Salvation Army officers there but never had the chance to visit ourselves.

So when I discovered I would be visiting Trail I was very interested in seeing the context of this well known community. It is as you would expect a town of natural resources and Teck Industries is a major player in the town.

They process various kinds of minerals. The plant is undeniably noticeable as you arrive in town.

Teck Industries

The Columbia River runs through town and there is a large bridge spanning it. The day I was in Trail it was warm and sunny and summer was arriving on the hillsides. In the early 1900’s Trail had a large influx of Italian immigrants who built a series of walls along the steep roads. They make the town unique and reminded me of Bermuda!

It was great to connect with Wilf and Heather who are the SA officers in Trail. The ministry they lead is vibrant and making a difference in the town.

Some of the notable people who come from Trail BC:

Thomas d’Aquino, Chief executive and president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives CCCE, and one of the private-sector architects of the North American Free Trade Agreement

Jason Bay, current MLB player for the Seattle Mariners

Lauren Bay, Canadian National Softball Team and National Pro Fastpitch pitcher

Adam Deadmarsh, former NHL player, won Stanley cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche

Dallas Drake, former NHL player, won Stanley Cup in 2008 with the Red Wings

Ray Ferraro, former NHL player for the Islanders, Rangers, Whalers, Thrashers, Kings, Blues

Bruno Freschi, architect for Expo 86

Ken Georgetti, current President of the Canadian Labour Congress

Robert Hampton Gray, one of the last Canadians to die in WWII and the last Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross

The walls remind me of Bermuda

Tom Harrison, former MLB pitcher for the Kansas City A’s, now the Oakland Athletics

Barret Jackman, current NHL player for the St. Louis Blues

Mike Kobluk, of The Chad Mitchell Trio

Richard Kromm, former NHL player

Kerrin Lee-Gartner, Canadian Olympic Women’s Ski Team, Downhill Olympic Gold Medal 1992

Cesare Maniago, former NHL player for the Leafs, Canadiens, Rangers, North Stars, Canucks

Seth Martin, former top amateur and NHL player for the St. Louis Blues

Bridge spanning the Columbia River

Mike Matteucci, former NHL player for the Wild

Steve McCarthy, current NHL player for the Blackhawks, Canucks, Thrashers

Ben McPeek, composer, arranger, conductor, and pianist

Bill McEwan, President and CEO of Sobeys

Faron Moller, President of the BCTCS

Martin Popoff, heavy metal music journalist

Steve Tambellini, former NHL player & former GM of the Edmonton Oilers

We had lunch at Kate’s Kitchen (named in honour of Catherine Booth) where you can buy lunch for 50 cents or supper for $1. It is clean and well appointed. The food was delicious and is a wonderful extension of what we normally see as community service through the food bank.

It struck me as I listened to the great work being done in this small community that maybe, just maybe the most notable people in Trail are still there – working for their town!