St. Marys – When the going got to tough for everyone else, it was just right for Peter Widdrington. The corporate and baseball business icon, who passed away last Friday during a ski trip to Aspen, had stepped up to the plate as the chair of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's fundraising campaign and was already delivering base hits.

Widdrington, 74, was survived by his wife Betty Ann, daughters Cindy and Stacy, and brother Michael.  His funeral service will be held Friday at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Ontario.

The former chair of the Toronto Blue Jays and CAO of Major League Baseball was known for jumping in for both feet when a project caught his eye.  Widdrington, who lived in London (just 40 minutes away from St. Marys) developed a fondness for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, particularly after speaking at the 2004 Induction Ceremony for his friend and colleague Peter Hardy.

"Peter Widdrington was the White Knight we were looking for," said Hall Chair Ben Waghorn.  "He was impressed at the Hall's progress to date, having raised $3.2 million dollars in order to complete Phase I, and he believed strongly in the Hall's ability to reach its potential."

The Hall's board of directors was elated when Widdrington recently agreed to assume the role of Fundraising Campaign Chair in order to assist in the procurement of funds to complete phases II, III, and IV of its evolution, which include the construction of an academy (accommodation facility), a new museum and a lit stadium.

Widdrington, who held a number of executive positions in the corporate sector including president & CEO of John Labatt Ltd. from 1973-89, accompanied Waghorn and Hall president & CEO Tom Valcke to New York for a marketing presentation as recently as February 2nd.

"In the weeks leading up to the New York trip, Peter reviewed every page of our business plan and the coinciding presentation, and his candidness and expertise really made it complete and dynamic," said Valcke

Widdrington was intending to fly to New York with Waghorn and Valcke from London, but two days before the meeting, he was called to Florida on an urgent business matter.

Because of Peter's unique ability to look anybody on Park Avenue in the eye and talk at their level, we had our fingers crossed hoping he would still be able to join us.  It was tight, but Peter managed to catch a flight at 6:00AM from Fort Lauderdale to LaGuardia, found time to visit a sick friend in a hospital, and met us at the Commissioner's Office of Major League Baseball, where we were finalizing our presentation."

"Some years had passed since Peter's administration with Major League Baseball, yet about a dozen former colleagues came in to greet him upon his arrival.  Not one of them shook his hand - they all hugged him.  I thought that spoke volumes about the type of man he was and the impact he had on that office."

"Peter took an active role in the marketing pitch, saying just the right thing at just the right time," recalled Waghorn.  "We debriefed for a few minutes afterward, and he told us that it was one of the best presentations he had ever been a part of - we were on cloud nine.  There wasn't even enough time for him to join us for dinner.  We thanked him and bid farewell, and he headed immediately back to the airport - that was the last time we saw him."

"The Hall has as many well-wishers as Fergie Jenkins had strikeouts, but Peter Widdrington somehow found time in his busy schedule to go beyond talking the talk," added Waghorn.  "He walked the walk, and his friendship, charisma and boardroom savvy will be greatly missed.  One of our greatest challenges will be trying to replace him."

A surprise came to the Hall's administrative office yesterday, as a letter addressed to Valcke arrived from Peter Widdrington.  "At some point in his final days, Peter had read an article about the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame, and had underlined a few points of interest - we are honoured to have been on his mind to the end," said Valcke.

ST MARYS – 16 February 2005

June 24 – 9th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic

June 25 – 2005 Induction Ceremony

2005 SUMMER CAMPS for Boys & Girls

* Week-long camps (drop off Sunday, pick-up Saturday), including accommodation & meals
        * Focus on baseball FUNdamentals, swimming, soccer & tennis, trip to SkyDome
        * Social Justice and Cultural Awareness programs incorporated
        * Baseball Celebrities to take part