Return to edition
NHL Slo-Pitch Classic Returns!
Robert A. Lavelle (1948-2009) was the promotions manager for the City of Niagara Falls, part owner of the Niagara Falls Mariners Baseball Club and part owner of Clancy’s Bar on Stanley Avenue. Everyone knew him as the “Heater”, and the guy who was initially responsible for making the NHL Slo-Pitch Tournament as successful as it was. To honour Bob “Heater” Lavelle, a charitable fund has been established to provide financial support to a number of causes, the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Center, Prokids and the Robert A. Lavelle Bursary Program among them. On June 18th the inaugural Niagara Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction was held at the Americana Conference Resort and Spa. Thirty-three sports celebrities along with 300 family, friends and guests came to honour Robert. The next day the Niagara Celebrity Slo-Pitch Classic returned to Oakes Park with celebrity sports figures putting on an exhibition of slo-pitch. The 1st annual Robert A. Lavelle Memorial Fund set a goal of $50,000, which will be administered under the auspices of the Niagara Community Foundation with the assistance of the organizing committee. Donations are gratefully accepted by going to www.niagaracommunityfoundation.org and selecting Robert A. Lavelle Memorial Foundation.
