Howard Darwin
Encyclopedia
Howard Darwin was a Canadian
businessman and sports team owner. Among his businesses, he owned the Ottawa 67's
, London Knights
and Ottawa Lynx
sports franchises.
. He was one of five children, growing up on Nicholas Street. His mother died of cancer when he was six. Howard and his little brother, Rupert, ended up raising themselves somewhat. Their father was a security guard on shift work who was rarely home. Their older sister worked as a live-in maid. And Howard’s older brothers, Jack and Percy, left to join in World War II
. Jack died in battle just months before the war ended. By then, Howard was already selling newspapers on Ottawa streets and delivering newspapers to Ottawa military bases. In 1954, Darwin married Connie Goudie. They raised four children together: Kim, Nancy, Jack and Jeff. Darwin died at the Ottawa Civic Hospital at the age of 78 from complications following heart surgery.
in 1995), the first cable television provider in Ottawa.
In 1967, with four partners, Darwin purchased the franchise for the Ottawa 67s hockey team. The club was part of the impetus to build the Ottawa Civic Centre
. Darwin managed the team and hired Brian Kilrea
in 1974. In 1984, the 67's won the Memorial Cup
junior championship. He sold his share of the 67's in 1998 to current owner Jeff Hunt
for $2.5 million.
He bought the London Nationals
in 1968, renaming them to the London Knights
, also buying the London Gardens
arena at the same time. He sold his share of the London Knights in 1987 to local businessmen.
In 1993, Darwin brought a triple-A baseball team, the Ottawa Lynx
, to Ottawa after having lobbied for the construction of the Lynx Stadium. The club won the International League championship in 1995. Darwin sold the club in 2000 for $7 million to Ray Pecor. He had purchased it in 1993 for $5 million. The team eventually moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania
in 2008.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman and sports team owner. Among his businesses, he owned the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
, London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
and Ottawa Lynx
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
sports franchises.
Personal life
He was born and grew up in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. He was one of five children, growing up on Nicholas Street. His mother died of cancer when he was six. Howard and his little brother, Rupert, ended up raising themselves somewhat. Their father was a security guard on shift work who was rarely home. Their older sister worked as a live-in maid. And Howard’s older brothers, Jack and Percy, left to join in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Jack died in battle just months before the war ended. By then, Howard was already selling newspapers on Ottawa streets and delivering newspapers to Ottawa military bases. In 1954, Darwin married Connie Goudie. They raised four children together: Kim, Nancy, Jack and Jeff. Darwin died at the Ottawa Civic Hospital at the age of 78 from complications following heart surgery.
Business career
Darwin dropped out of high school at age fourteen and sold newspapers for a number of years. He then apprenticed as a jeweller and opened a watch repair shop on Nicholas Street. In 1955, he moved his store to Wellington Avenue west of Holland Avenue where it operated until 1991. In the 1960s, besides being involved in sports promotion, he started investing in real estate. He established Ottawa Cablevision in 1965 (purchased by Rogers CableRogers Cable
Rogers Cable Inc., a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc., is Canada's largest cable television service provider with about 2.25 million television customers, and over 930,000 Internet subscribers, in Manitoba, Southern & Eastern Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.The...
in 1995), the first cable television provider in Ottawa.
Sports career
As a youth, Darwin boxed as an amateur. He started refereeing fights and started promoting boxing in the capital. He branched out into promoting wrestling and closed-circuit TV boxing. The closed-circuit TV business led him into the early years of cable television in Ottawa.In 1967, with four partners, Darwin purchased the franchise for the Ottawa 67s hockey team. The club was part of the impetus to build the Ottawa Civic Centre
Ottawa Civic Centre
The Ottawa Civic Centre, also known as the J. Benson Cartage Centre for 2011–2012, is an indoor arena located in Ottawa, Ontario, seating 9,862. With temporary seating and standing room it can hold 10,585. Opened in December 1967, it is used primarily for sports, including curling, figure skating,...
. Darwin managed the team and hired Brian Kilrea
Brian Kilrea
Brian Blair "Killer" Kilrea is an ice hockey head coach, general manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category, most notably with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, with whom Kilrea has been associated for over 35 years...
in 1974. In 1984, the 67's won the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
junior championship. He sold his share of the 67's in 1998 to current owner Jeff Hunt
Jeff Hunt
Jeff Hunt is a Canadian businessman who currently owns the Ottawa 67's hockey club of the Ontario Hockey League. He started a carpet-cleaning firm called Canway. His firm was in the Profit Magazine 100 seven times in the 1990s.-OHL Hockey:...
for $2.5 million.
He bought the London Nationals
London Nationals
The London Nationals were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association, who played for three seasons before being renamed to the London Knights. The team played out of the London Gardens in London, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
in 1968, renaming them to the London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
, also buying the London Gardens
London Ice House
The London Ice House is an arena in London, Ontario, Canada. It was originally built in 1963 and was home to the London Knights ice hockey team from 1965-2002. The arena had a capacity of 5,075 and was originally known as Treasure Island Gardens, but most notably known as the London Gardens, from...
arena at the same time. He sold his share of the London Knights in 1987 to local businessmen.
In 1993, Darwin brought a triple-A baseball team, the Ottawa Lynx
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
, to Ottawa after having lobbied for the construction of the Lynx Stadium. The club won the International League championship in 1995. Darwin sold the club in 2000 for $7 million to Ray Pecor. He had purchased it in 1993 for $5 million. The team eventually moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
in 2008.