Joe Zanussi

Joe Zanussi was born in Rossland in 1947.  Joe excelled in hockey and was a member of the Estevan Bruins which won the Memorial Cup in 1968.  He played for the Fort Worth Wings of the Central Hockey League in the 1970 -  1971 season and was selected the League’s Most Valuable Player and Best Defenseman and a member of the League’s second team All-Star team.

 He played for Providence Reds of the American Hockey League for the 1974-1975 season and was selected the League’s Best Defenseman, runner-up for the Most Valuable Player award and was a member of the League’s 1^st All Star team.  He played for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey league for the 1977-1978 season and was named the team’s Best Defenseman and was selected to the League’s 1^st All-Star team.

 Joe played in the NHL with the New York Rangers (1974-1975), St. Louis Blues (1976-1977), Boston Bruins (1975-1977) and in the WHA for the Winnipeg Jets (1972-1974).

John Barron

John was born in Trail in 1939.  Following graduation from the Crowe, he attended the University of Toronto studying music education.  There, he fell in love with choirs and obtained his Masters in music.  In 1970, he moved to London, Ontario where he taught in the local school board's music program, retiring in 1996.

In 1985, John founded the Anabile Youth Singers.  The choir won the CBC's bi-annual competition consecutively from its inception until 2000, when it stopped entering the competition.  It has also won numerous competitions in Europe and recorded several CDs.

Throughout his 45 year career, John has been sought after as a clinician and adjudicator with music organizations and institutions throughout Canada and the US and has been recognized with numerous awards for his contribution to music education and performance both nationally and internationally.

In 2008, John was awarded the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaelle Jean, our Country's highest civilian honour.  He passed away in April 2014 in Toronto, ON.

John R. Anderson

Admiral John Anderson was born in Trail. He attended the University of British Columbia as a Naval Officer Cadet, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Physics. On graduation in 1963, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy.f
During his career, Admiral Anderson served on HMC ships: HMC New Glasgow, Fraser, Saskatchewan, St. Croix, Bonaventure, and Iroquois, in both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. His professional training included Long Operations Officer's Course, the United States Navy Computer Programming Course, and the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course. In 1978, Admiral Anderson was appointed Commanding Officer of the Esquimalt - based HMCS Restigouche. On promotion to Captain in 1982, he assumed command, in Halifax,of the first Destroyer Squadron. Service on the staff at National Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, followed in 1983.

Admiral Anderson was promoted to the rank of Commodore in 1986 and was appointed Director General, Maritime Doctorate in Operations. In 1987, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and, shortly afterwards, was tasked to head the Canadian Nuclear Submarine Acquisition Project. This was followed by his appointment as Chief, Maritime Doctorate in Operations in 1989.

He was appointed a Command of the Order of Military Merit, in July 1989. He has also been awarded the Canadian Decoration and Good Service Medal.

Promoted to Vice Admiral in 1991, Admiral Anderson assumed command, in Halifax, of Canada's Navy, until his appointment as the Vice Chief of Defense Staff in 1992. In January 1993, he was promoted Admiral and appointed Chief of Defense Staff.

On retirement from the Canadian Forces, Admiral Anderson was appointed as Canada's Ambassador and permanent representative to the North Atlantic Council at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He assumed his appointment in May 1994.

On retirement from the Canadian Forces, Admiral Anderson was appointed as Canada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He assumed his appointment in May 1994. Admiral Anderson completed his tour of duty in August 1997 and returned to Canada. He and his wife, Anne, now reside in North Saanich, British Columbia.

Admiral Anderson continues his association with NATO through participation in a series of high-level exercises, sponsored by various NATO Military Headquarters. He is a Senior Fellow at the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and a member of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Branch. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Maritime Museum of British Columbia Society.

Joseph Cecchini

Joseph Cecchini was born in Trail in 1982.  From childhood he was involved in local sports and took up the sport of skeleton in 2007 while working in Calgary, Alberta.  He joined the Italian National Skeleton Team in 2013.  He is a two time Italian National Champion and has competed in ten World Skeleton Championships and numerous skeleton events in North America.  He is currently ranked 22^nd in the World in the sport.

Kate E. Shaw

Kate dedicated her life to her love of Highland Dancing and to her students. She taught children of all ages, levels and abilities, and never turned away any individual who wanted to learn how to dance. Her students have accomplished many national, as well as international, successes due to her patience, love and skills.

She produced many great dancers, dance teachers, and even champions. She kept the traditions of Scottish heritage alive in our community by instructing those willing to learn. Kate's other accomplishments include over 60 years of teaching Sunday School and over 40 years working with disabled people.  She was on the Board of Managers with the Presbyterian Church, Secretary for the Caledonian Society, Executive Secretary for the I.O.D.E. and Secretary for the Elk's Lodge.

Kathy Smiley

Kathy is being honoured for her success in Seniors Women's Curling.

Kathy has participated in competitve women's curling for many years. In 2004, her team won its first BC Seniors Women's Curling Championship and reached the final game at the Canadian Championships. In 2005, she won her second Provincial Championship and once again lost the Canadian Championships in the final game.

In 2006, she reached the Provincial Championships, but lost in the Semi-final round. However, in 2007, she again won the BC Championships, but lost the final game at the National Championships for the third time, 5-4 to Alberta.

As a Skip of BC's Champion teams, Kathy has won numerous awards. In 2004, she was presented the Sportsmanship Award at the National Championships. This award is given to the player who best combines playing ability and sportsmanship. In the 2005 BC Championships, she was presented with the Lottie Hill Award for Sportsmanship, voted on by her peers.

Ken Georgetti

Ken Georgetti is one of B.C.'s most prominent labour leaders.

He is currently President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Prior to his election to that position in 1999, he had been President of the B.C. Federation of Labour since 1986. During his tenure, membership grew from 218,000 to 320,000 members.

He demonstrated a rare ability to bring labour and management together in joint projects without comprimising trade union principles.

Ken started his involvement in the union movement as a pipefitter with Cominco Ltd. in Trail.

In 1981, he was elected President of Local 480 of the United Steelworkers of America. As President, he worked to insure the long-term viability of the community economy by gaining support for Cominco's modernization project.

Under his leadership, Local 480 expanded its role as a civic organization supporting community social service development for the citizens if Trail.

Kerrin Lee Gartner

Kerrin Lee is a Red Mountain native from Rossland, B.C., where she started skiing at the age of three years old.

In 1979, she entered her first national competition, the Canadian National Juvenile Championships (CHJC) in Fernie, BC. There she competed in all three events: Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom.

In 1980, Kerrin stood 4th overall in the CNJC.

In 1983, she attended the National Development training camp and in 1984, Kerrin finished 7th in Monte St. Anne, Quebec at the Canadian Championships.

In 1985, she further improved her standing at Canadian Championships where she finished 2nd in the GS, 3rd in the Super G (Giant Slalom) and 5th in the Downhill.

She showed good results in the NOR-Am Competition and in the Canadian Championships when she returned as a member of the National B team in 1986-87. She posted an impressive 14th and 8th place finish at Val D''Isere in 1986-87.

Kerrin's 1988 results are as follows:
March 1988 World Cup Downhill, Rossland, B.C., 7th place finish
March 1988 World Cup Downhill, Aspen, CO, 6th
February 1988 Olympics Giant Slalom, Nakiska, Alta., 16th
February 1988 Olympics Slalom/Combined, Nakiska, Alta., 23rd
February 1988 Olympics Slalom/Combined, Nakiska, Alta., 15th
January 1988 Europa Cup Giant Slalom, Grachen, Sui., 2nd
January 1988 World Cup Downhill, Badgastein Austria, 11th
December 1987 World Cup Downhill, Val d'Isere, France, 8th
April 1987 Canadian Nationals Giant Slalom, Mont Garceau, Que., 3rd

Kerrin Lee is ranked in the FIS (International Ski Federation):
11th in World Wide Downhill
28th in Super (G) Giant Slalom
76th in Giant Slalom

Kevin McNulty

Kevin McNulty was born in Penticton, BC, lived in Warfield, Rossland, and Trail, studied piano as a child and joined the Rossland Light Opera where, at 16 years old, he played 'Ol Joe in "Showboat" in black face.  He attended Washington State University in the late 70's and in 1982 Kevin graduated from the prestigious acting program at Studio 58, Langara College in Vancouver.  In the early eighties, Kevin spent two years at the Stratford Festival.  Returning to Vancouver, Kevin found himself in the right place at the right time as film and television production blossomed and casting directors looked to theatre actors to fill small roles in American TV sereis and MOW's.  His acting credits range from the Beach Combers to the X-Files on television, The Accused to Fantastic 4 on film, with many lawyer roles in movies-of-the-week in between.  He currently plays Mel Ivarson on CBC's Arctic Air.

Kevin has a long and varied career on stage, as well, and has received 2 Best Supporting Actor Jessie Richardson Awards.

Most recently, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2012 Sam Payne Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kevin shares a house in Vancouver with actor/playwright Susinn McFarlen and their children Lucy and Dylan.

Kevin Wert

Kevin is one more of our fast downhill ski racers from Rossland. Kevin began his competitive skiing with the Red Mountain Racers and joined the Canadian National Ski Team as a Downhill Specialist in 1995. Prior to joining the National Team, he was the World Downhill Junior Champion in 1994.

Kevin has raced in the Nor-Am Cup, the European Cup, World Cup and National Competitions. Kevin has won two Canadian Championships in the Downhill and one in the Super G, and has won the European Cup Gold Medal on two occasions. He has placed in the Top Ten of North American and European ski races 23 times.

Kevin was a member of the Canadian Ski Team at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan.

Kimberly Joines

Kimberly Joines loved snowboarding at an early age however sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in her becoming a paraplegic.  She took up the sport of paralympic ski racing where she has excelled to become a world class athlete.  She has been a member of Team Canada for twelve years, wining forty-four World Cup medals, eight World Championship medals and two Paralympic Bronze Medals.  She won a Bronze medal at the Sochi Olympics.

Kimberly moved to Rossland in 2007 and has achieved most of success as a ski racer while a resident of that community.

L.J. "Flip" Filippelli

In July 1956, Flip Filippelli was elected to the National Presidency of the Canadian Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Flip was born in Trail in 1923 and attended local schools.

He obtained his B.Sc. in chemistry from the University of Alberta and then joined Cominco in Trail.

Flip held the presidency of the BC and Yukon Division in 1954 and has been National Vice-president for Alberta, BC and Yukon in 1955.

Flip was inducted into the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame in 2000 and had previously been inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. He has officiated at World Championships, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.

Lauren Bay

Lauren followed her brother in local ball, only in softball. In 1996, Lauren was a member of the Trail Steelers Bantam A Team that won a Bronze Medal at the Western Canadian Championships where she was named top pitcher of the tournament. In 1997, she was a member of the White Rock Renegades Midget A Team that won a Gold Medal at the Canadian Midget National Tournament and was named Tournament MVP. She returned to White Rock in 1998 where they again won the Gold Medal at the Canadian Midget National Tournament and she was again named Tournament MVP.
In 1999, Lauren was a member of the Canadian Junior National Team which participated in the World Championships in Taiwan.

From 2000 until 2003, she was a member of the NCAA Division 1 Oklahoma State University on a scholarship. Here, she was a four-time All Conference Selection, a three-time All Mid-West Region Selection, and an outstanding academic. Lauren left OSU holding records for season innings pitched, season strikeouts, career starts, career saves, career complete games, career innings pitched, career appearances and career strikeouts.

In 2001, she was a member of the Canadian Senior National Team which particiapted in the World Championship in Saskatoon.

In 2003, Lauren was named NCAA Woman of the Year for the State of Oklahoma for her contributions to athletics, academica and community involvement. In 2004, she was named to the Canadian Olympic Softball Team which participated in the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Lauren continues to be a premier pitcher for Canada's Women's National Softball Team. She is currently involved in the training program Motion DNA for the Canadian Pan Am qualifiers in November and the World Championships in China in 2006. This year, she played in the National Prt Fast Pitch League with the Chicago Bandits.

Lauren resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Leeanne McLim

Leeanne is the second person to be recognized on the Home of Champions Monument for her success in the sport of Muay Thai Kickboxing.

Leeanne is an International Class Champion in Muay Thai Kickboxing and in Kickboxing. She has held 5 Title Belts, 2 National Championship Belts and 3 International Champion Belts and is well known in her sport throughout the World.

Some of Leanne's Titles include:
* The Pacific Northwest Muay Thai Featherweight Champion;
* Canadian Super Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion;
* United Full Contact Federation Canadian Super Bantamweight
Kickboxing Champion;
* World Kickboxing Network Intercontinental Super Bantamweight
Muay Thai Champion;
* World Kickboxing Association North American Featherweight Muay
Thai Champion.

Leeanne was ranked 4th in the World in Muay Thai Kickboxing in 2003. She also boasts an unblemished record of 12 and 0, with 10 TKOs. Leeanne is also an accomplished actor and dancer.

Les Leyland

MASTERS CHAMPION - TRACK & FIELD

Les has been active in distance track and field competitions provincially and internationally since the age of 72. Now 83, Les is the Canadian record holder in the 10,000 metres outdoors, and the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 metres indoors, for persons between the age of 80 and 84 years old. He is also the holder of the US record in the 12 kilometre race for those between 80 and 84 years of age, and the 5,000 metre outdoor for those between 80 and 84 years of age. In 1998, Les competed in the World Association of Veteran Athletes in DURBAN, South Africa, finishing fifth, in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres.

In 1999, Les competed in the World Association of Veteran Athletes in Gateshead, England, where he finished 9th in the 1,500 metres.
Les has competed in numerous Masters events in long distance running, including the National Masters Championships in the United States; the Ontario Masters Indoor Championships; the Canadian Masters Championships in Toronto, Saskatoon and Quebec; the BC Seniors Games; and various fun runs, including the Vancouver Sun Run, Spokane Bloomsday Run, and local run events.

Les competed in the North American Masters Championships in Kamloops, BC, which also doubled as the Canadian Championships. Leswon the North American and Canadian Gold medals in the 5000 metre race and followed that up by winning the Canadian Gold medal in the 10 km run.

Les passed away at the age of 94 in April of 2012.

Lieutenant Hampton Gray

VICTORIA CROSS - POSTHUMOUS AWARD
Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray was born in Trail, BC on November 2, 1917.
In July of 1940, Robert left the University of British Columbia to join the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and sailed to the United Kingdom in September. In 1942, he qualified for his wings, was commissioned, and sent on fighter operational training. From July 1942, he served on various squadrons in Africa on fleet support duties. In 1944, he was appointed Senior Pilot of the 1841 Squadron aboard the aircraft carrier, HMS Formidable. During August of that year, Formidable and her squadrons took part in two attacks on the German battleship, Tirpitz. Gray was mentioned in despatches for his part in the action. In September, Formidable was assigned to the British Pacific Fleet where strikes were carried out against Japanese naval and air forces, shipping, shipyards, and coastal objectives. The Squadron of Formidable’s Air Group took part in these operations until hostilities ceased.

On July 28, 1945, Robert led a low-level strike against the naval base at Maisuru, north of Kyoto, and his own bombs sank a destroyer. This attack resulted in Gray receiving an immediate Award of the Distinguished Service Cross.
On August 9, 1945, Hampton Gray and his flight of Corsair fighter-bombers lifted off the deck of the Formidable on a 200-mile mission to attack Japanese warships at anchor on Onagawa Bay.

Gray led the attack and was hit almost at once, but he held his course to release his bombs at the last possible second, to sink the ocean escort Amakusa before crashing to his death in the water.

Lieutenant Hampton Gray was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military award that can be received in the United Kingdom, the last Canadian to be so honoured.

Other medals won by Lieutenant Hampton Gray include the Distinguished Service Cross, 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945, and Mentioned- In-Despatches.

Lindsey Roberts

Lindsey Roberts, born in Rossland in 1972, has been involved in Alpine Ski Racing for many years. She has competed provincially, nationally and internationally.

Lindsey started her racing career as a Nancy Greene League Skier and gradually worked her way up to Bantams, the Cardholders and was on the British Columbia Ski Team.

During the 1989 summer months, Lindsey attended two ski camps; one of national status and the other of provincial status. She was placed on the Junior National Ski Team and represented Canada in the World Junior Championships held in Alaska in 1990. Lindsey was ranked 25th (out of all Canadian skiers) in the Canadian Open, in the Downhill, Super Giant Slalom, Giant Slalom and the Slalom.

In 1991, she suffered several pelvic and spinal injuries during the Canadian Championships and was sidelined for 18 months. Lindsey thought her dream of representing Canada in national and international competitions was over.

Sheer hard work and determination earned her a place back on the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team, and in 1993, she was a member of the Canadian World Championship Team in Japan.

That same year, she became the U.S. National Downhill Champion (as well as placing 3rd in the Super G) and was presented with the B.C. Premier's Award for Alpine Skiing.

In 1994, she won the Europa Cup Downhill.

In 1995, she became the Canadian National Downhill Champion - a highlight of her career.

An injury-plagued 1995-96 season forced Lindsey to compete on her own and away from the National Team.

Once again, her dedication to alpine skiing won her the North American Downhill and Super G Championships and the overall North American Continental Champion title for 1997. These titles earned her a place on the World Cup Circuit, as well as membership back on the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team.

In December of 1997, Lindsey decided to retire from the National Team and devote her time to completing her education and coaching.

Louis Secco

Louis was born in Trail in January of 1927.

Louis excelled in hockey and played all his minor hockey in Trail.

He was a member of Provincial Championship Teams in each of the Midget, Juvenile, Junior and Senior hockey divisions.

Louis was called up to play with the New York Rangers in 1945, but decided to stay in Trail to play with the Smoke Eaters.

Perhaps Louis' greatest achievement occured in 1952 when he and Gord Robertson were invited to join the Edmonton Mercuries who were representing Canada in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. The Mercuries went on to win the Olympic Gold medal in hockey. earning Louis a place in hockey history in trail.

In 1968, Louis was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Louis began work at Cominco in April of 1943 and retired as a supervisor of the Warfield Fertilizer Operations in May of 1985, after 42 years of service.

Melissa Soligo

Melissa Soligo was born on February 7th, 1969, in Trail.  She started her curling career at the age of 13 with the J.L. Crowe curling team as a skip. Melissa traveled to local bonspiels around the West Kootenays, and it was in 1984, at the age of 14, when she won the West Kootenay High School Championships.


In 1985, Melissa won both the East and West Kootenay Zone  Championships for the province and came in third in the  Provincial Championships. She also finished up sixth in the Juniors.


In 1986, she repeated her win at the West Kootenay Zones, and finished third at the Juniors.
In 1987, Melissa placed second in both High School and the Junior Zones.  In 1988, she joined the Vancouver Ladies Team which won the provincials, and continued on to the place fourth in the Canadian Championship. Melissa continued to compete competitively and went on to the Professional Circuit in 1988, filling the position of lead.
She won the Labatt's Crown Curling Championships and $6000, plus a trip to San Francisco. She also won the Canadian Airlines International Double Cash Spiel and $14,000.

In 1991 Melissa was a member of the Julie Sutton Rink which won athe Canadian Women's Championship, finished second in the World Curling Championship, and won a bronze medal in the Winter Olympics.

Michael Kobluk

Michael Kobluk was a member of the Chad Mitchell Trio (late 50's through the 60's), a singing group that was formed by students at the Gonzaga University Glee Club.

In the beginning, the group generally performed in college circles, small nightclubs and music halls. They became well-known in the Pacific Northwest. The trio's repertoire consisted of folk songs based socio-political material.

From Left: Michael Kobluk, John Denver, Dave BoweyEventually, the group achieved national recognition when they appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Arthur Godfrey Radio Show.

They were chosen by the US State Department to tour as good will ambassadors in South America.

Chad Mitchell eventually left the trio and was replaced by John Denver.  However, the group disbanded just shortly before their new member became a star.