Hounds pioneer McAuley remembered as ‘great man’ 

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Jim McAuley, a well-known Sault Ste. Marie businessman, real-estate developer, philanthropist, volunteer and one of the men who helped spearhead the Soo Greyhounds entrance into the Ontario Hockey Association in 1972, died Saturday.

McAuley, who served as Hounds president for nearly 20 years in the 1970s and 1980s, had celebrated his 84th birthday – in good health – early last week.

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The following day he entered hospital with stomach issues.

Tim Lukenda, the Greyhounds present-day president, spoke of the respect he had for McAuley, while offering condolences to family and friends.

“Jim made a significant contribution to the Soo Greyhounds franchise in our early years,” Lukenda added. “He was a great man who was always a strong advocate for the city of Sault Ste. Marie.”

During his time with the Hounds ownership group, McAuley also served on both the Ontario Hockey League’s board of governors and the league’s executive council.

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In a prepared statement, OHL commissioner Dave Branch noted how McAuley “was always sensitive to the care of people and the game. We remember not only his accomplishments while serving the League and the Greyhounds, but the special way he did it.”

Former Greyhounds star Craig Hartsburg recalled McAuley’s stature when Hartsburg joined the team in 1975.

“He was a calming, common-sense, salt-of-the-earth person that, as young people, we trusted,” said Hartsburg, who went on to play and coach in the NHL. “When he was around, you felt in good hands. He was a man of his word and when he said something, you took it to heart. His presence was felt by everybody.”

“He was a people person, for sure,” said Greg McAuley, Jim’s son. “He was old-school and still did business with a handshake. That’s how he lived his life.”

McAuley spent at least 25 years as owner/operator of McAuley’s Fuels.

He remained active with the Sault Ste. Marie Kiwanis Club up until his death, and was a lifelong dog lover, Greg McAuley added.

“He was very generous, but didn’t want the accolades and he was absolutely a wonderful family man,” Greg said.

Jim McAuley’s wife, Arlene, died in December 2013. Along with Greg, he’s survived by daughters Jana Schmidt and Victoria Hancock and five grandchildren.

“He missed my mom dearly,” Greg McAuley said. “And he loved his children and grandchildren.

“He was the most important man in my life,” said McAuley’s grandson, Brandon Schmidt, a well-known local golfer. “He’d give anything to anyone and never ask for anything in return.”

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 In 2002, McAuley was presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his commitment to Sault Ste. Marie through his entrepreneurial endeavors and involvement with the community.

Five years later, he was presented with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce President’s Award, which recognizes those who make an exceptional effort in any area of business and community development.

Over the years, among other groups, McAuley made sizable financial contributions to Sault Area Hospital, Algoma University and Sault College.

McAuley also played an active role in the Save-The-Greyhounds campaign, led by dentist George Shunock, in 1989.

By raising $1 million, a sizable amount for an OHL franchise in those days, a group of local investors purchased the team and allowed it to remain in the Sault.

Also in 1989, McAuley approached a close friend, Sherry Basin, and convinced him to join the Greyhounds as general manager.

“He talked to Sherry about taking over and the Hounds made him an offer he couldn’t refuse,” Greg McAuley chuckled.

By 1993, under Bassin’s stewardship, the Greyhounds won the only Memorial Cup championship in franchise history.

Jim McAuley “absolutely had a close relationship with Sherry, David Branch and Ed Chynoweth (former president of both the Western Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League),” his son said. “And he valued those friendships very much.”

Hartsburg told a story of how, during 1977-78, his final season and Wayne Gretzky’s only campaign with the Greyhounds, he suffered a knee injury.

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“I was champing at the bit to get back into the lineup,” Hartsburg recalled.

While testing the knee out during a pre-game skate, Hartsburg saw McAuley near the Soo bench.

The Hounds president called him over and asked about the knee.

“It feels great,” Hartsburg recalled saying.

McAuley nodded and said: “That’s great, but you’re not playing.”

Hartsburg explained how McAuley sent him to Toronto for 10 days of rehabilitation.

“The physio people there looked at me and told me I wasn’t ready to play,” Hartsburg remembered. “That saved me. I got well there and came back to the Sault strong as ever. Jim was protecting me from myself and he was right.”

That incident, Hartsburg added, is one he’ll never forget.

While also paying tribute to the late Angelo Bumbacco, who died Oct. 27, Hartsburg spoke of how in the last month, “I’ve lost two men who had a major impact on my life. These are sad days.”

As of Sunday night, funeral plans for McAuley had yet to be finalized.