In Loving Memory: A Tribute to Tim Horton

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Many of today’s younger Canadians probably associate the name Tim
Horton with a chain of donut shops. Long-time hockey fans will recognize
Tim Horton as an NHL Hall of Famer and one of the anchors of the Toronto
Maple Leaf’s defence corps during the glory years in the 1960s when
the team won four Stanley Cups. Sadly, in 1974, Horton, then a member of
the Buffalo Sabres, died in a car accident at the age of 44; the
accident occurred while he was driving back to Buffalo following a game
against his original team, the Leafs.

This biography was written by Horton’s widow, Lori, with the
assistance of Tim Griggs, Horton’s godson and a freelance
sportswriter. Using essentially a chronological approach, they trace
Horton’s life from his birth in Cochrane, Ontario; to his childhood
and amateur years; to his 18 seasons with the Leafs, and his stints with
the New York Rangers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Buffalo Sabres.
They conclude Horton’s story with the 1996 retirement of his sweater
numbers in Toronto and Buffalo.

Two factors separate this hockey biography from so many others. First,
Lori Horton offers insights into the game and its participants, insights
that are not available to teammates and others who are more directly
associated with the sport. Second, the book is liberally illustrated
with visual materials that were collected by family members over the
years. In addition to numerous candid black-and-white photos, the
authors have incorporated such items as newspaper clippings, personal
letters, yearbook and daytime pages, and program covers. Reproduction of
the materials is of such good quality that the text of the items can be
read. A six-page full-color insert contains both game-action and family
photos. The book concludes with a page detailing Horton’s career stats
and a 13-page document, written by Horton himself, on the basics of
playing defence.

In Loving Memory would be a welcome addition to all collections that
serve fans of professional hockey.