SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – A sad day for Sault Ste Marie as 84-Year Old James McAuley died Saturday at Sault Area Hospital.
McAuley was one of the figures who brought the Soo Greyhounds hockey team to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1972 and acted as the team’s president for 20 years.
A well-known community figure, volunteer and philanthropist, McAuley also helped run his family’s oil business and was also involved in property development within the community.
In 2002, McAuley was presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his commitment to Sault Ste. Marie through his entrepreneurial endeavours and community involvement and local initiatives.
He also received the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce President’s Award in 2007.
Jim will be greatly missed throughout the City as well as at the GFL where McAuley would faithfully sit and cheer on the Soo Greyhound’s centre ice, four rows up.
McAuley was a widowed father of three children and grandfather of five.