William Joseph “Bud” Newton #1
Ryerson Rams Goaltender
59-60, 60-61 & 61-62
Submitted by: John Taylor, #20: 62-63 & 63-64 Rams
It is with sadness that the Ryerson Rams Hockey Alumni announce the passing of one of our most well liked and respected goaltenders, “Bud” Newton at home with his wife at his side on 11 April, 2019.
Typical of all great Ram goalies in general andall hockey players from New Liskeard in specific – including the current Rams goalie – Bud was blessed with an abundance of swagger, self confidence and humour and often referred to himself as the “Rams Goaltender Extraordinaire”. Above all, as exemplified in the following game report, “Newt” – as his teammates called him –had the ability to hold the Rams in games until they got going.
In Rob Hewitt’s 8 February 1962 Ryersonian reporton a Osgood Hall – Rams game, Hewitt noted“Ryerson goalie Bud Newton played well Monday night and came up with several key saves when the Ram defense seemed to fall apart”. Newton was decked by an elbow to the chest in the second period and fell to the floor like a wounded buffalo. However, he soon recovered and continued his fine play for the remainder of the game”.
Following graduation in Civil Technology, he worked for the Town of Richmond Hill and York Region for over 40 years in Engineering and Transit. He was also an active member of the RRHA and played in the annual golf tournaments and attended RAMNITES at the Gardens along with his 60’s era teammates – always wearing his RRHA hat.
In the 62-63 season – the year after Bud graduated – the Rams had an undefeated seson and won the OIAA Championship. In 2012 – some 50 years later – Ryerson honoured the team with in an on ice pregame ceremony in the Mattamy Centre to open the season. At the suggestion of the late Don DésJardine #7 and Paul Cook #10, the team invited Bud and 61-62 team manager, Ted Woods, tojoin the team for on the ice presentation. Bud was reluctant at first – but when the players insisted – most former teammates from the previous season, Bud put on a Rams sweater and was introduced at centre ice before a full arena. The Ryerson VP even presented him with a bag of Ryerson swag. It was the team’s way of telling Bud “you are one of us” and the smile on his face said it all.
Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Cary, children Trish, Bill and Timas well as his surviving family members.
The motto of Ryerson’s Athletic Department is “Once a Ram, Always a Ram”. As the Rams “Goaltender Extraordinaire”, Bud exemplified it.
