Remembering the Old Fox

This is one of those families where there are no children to carry on the line or the story.  I would love to find Florence's obit.

Chester married Emily 'Florence' Mason, the daughter of George Mason & Mary Jane Mason in 1911 (George was the son of John Mason & Charlotte Arbuckle).  

Florence died in 1958 and her family is buried at the Lorne Street Cemetery in New Glasgow, NS.  Chester and Florence had one child, Melda who did not have any children of her own.

Chester ‘Old Fox’ Gregory – Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Inductee

 In 1903, Gregory began playing hockey as a young boy with the Highland Brigade in Charlottetown. In 1905, the Gregory family moved to New Glasgow where he began playing for various New Glasgow clubs. Between 1905 and 1910 he was a member of four championship teams: Moncton, New Glasgow, Stellarton, and Glace Bay and was given the nickname "Old Fox" by his peers. It was in 1910 that Gregory turned pro with the very powerful New Glasgow Black Foxes Hockey Team of the Nova Scotia Professional League.

Gregory's career highlight was playing in the old National Hockey League. He "rose to hockey greatness from a humble beginning in his native Charlottetown as he racked home a countless number of goals…" He was a hockey player who "knew exactly how to put the puck in the net." Gregory retired from playing hockey in 1928, but continued to be involved in sports. He coached hockey in Charlottetown and at St. Francis Xavier University. Chester Gregory died on November 5, 1966, at the age of 82. He is an original Sport Hall of Fame Inductee. NS Sport Hall of Fame

Unknown Paper, 7 November 1966 (Hand dated)
Well Known Maritime Sportsman, Chester C. Gregory Dies Saturday

New Glasgow- Chester C. Gregory, for many years a leading Maritime hockey player and former New Glasgow town councilor, died here Saturday night.  He was 82.  Born in Charlottetown, Mr. Gregory was an electrical maintainer with the CNR, retiring in 1948.  Over his long life he was active in many fields, especially in sport.  In his adopted town, where he was a resident for 56 years, the municipally owned stadium is his outstanding monument.  He served as a member of both the rink and boxing commissions.  In later years he became interested in dog breeding and showing. His animals were shown in circuits in the Maritimes, the United States and the Canadian west coast. He was active in kennel club work in this area and was a member of the Canadian Kennel Club.  Hockey had him performing with a number of towns, particularly Moncton and New Glasgow.  He played both as an amateur and a professional and while at Renfrew, Ont., he was urged to go into what is now predecessor of the NHL.
OWNED RINK
At one time he owned and operated the Stellar Rink in Stellarton and helped develop many young players.  As a coach he served in the thirties for a season with Charlottetown's entry in the Big Four.  He was one of the first nominated for the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.  During his town council years, he served on various committees and with then mayor Michael Dwyer was active in the preliminary work to the new Aberdeen Hospital.  After his hockey days were over he took up curling and when he was well over 70 skipped a rink to the President's prize at the local Bluenose rink.  In his last years he concentrated on his dogs and the work of the New Glasgow Kennel Club. He specialized in Boston Terriers.
SURVIVORS
He is survived by his wife, Jean, a daughter, Mrs. Melda Dewar; and a brother, Oliver, in Charlottetown.  He was predeceased by his first wife, the former Emily Florence Mason and several brothers and sisters.  The remains are resting at the Ross Funeral Home.  A memorial service will be held this evening by the Knights of Pythias here; Mr. Gregory was a veteran in this fraternal organization.  The funeral will be held at St. George's Anglican Church Tuesday at 2 p.m.  Interment at Lorne Street Cemetery. He was buried on 8 Nov 1966 at Lorne Street Cemetery in New Glasgow, Pictou Co, Nova Scotia.

 

Halifax Herald, 4 Jan 2005
DEWAR, Melda Olga - Formerly of Abercrombie Road, New Glasgow, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Valley View Villa.  Born in New Glasgow, she was the daughter of the late Chester Charles and Emily Florence (Mason) Gregory.  She was a graduate of New Glasgow High School and Maritime Business College.  She was employed at Trenton Works and in the insurance business, retiring from Atlantic Insurance Ltd.  She was a member of Saint Georges Anglican Church and a former member of the Golf and Curling Club.  She is survived by cousins.  Cremation has taken place.  There will be no visitation by request.  A memorial service will be held in R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow, at a later date with burial in Lorne Street Cemetery.  Donations may be made to The Lodge That Gives Halifax.