Lionbackers.com

Thanks for posting that Yank... nice thought.

I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of Sonny around North Vancouver as a young person - some many years ago - as he dated a friend of mines sister from just up the street from me on east 13th and he used to drop by the pool hall at 15th and Lonsdale where he was very popular and friendly with all.

SCENE & HEARD: Sonny Homer's family and friends gathered at Holy Trinity Church in North Vancouver on Thursday to say goodbye or, as Father Mika preferred: "To welcome our brother to Paradise." The B.C. Lions' home-grown receiver from 1958 through 1968 was once lyrically described by former Sun columnist Jim Taylor as "a Vancouver kid who ran so fast he seemed to float over the grass without disturbing a blade." Taylor also pointed out that Homer played with one kidney and a heart that contained eight bypasses and one metal valve.

It's good that the BC Lions paid tribute to Sonny Homer on their official web page, but I find the phrase NOW ON HEAVEN'S ALL STAR TEAM somewhat awkward.

http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module=page&id=3057

[img]http://www.bclions.com/themes/bc2/graph ... _homer.jpg[/img]

My sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed dearly.

Sonny Homer has now been gone for just one year today.

The Vancouver Sun has an In Memoriam article from his partner, Sylvia, which is a very nice read which includes:

"Today recalls the memories of a great man gone. The ones who think of him today are the ones who loved him." The PS says: "Keep those women smiling, "honey"."

For those who had the pleasure to know him in life beyond just what he was as a great football player know that in life he was even a better person.

Excerpts from an article in the Irish Review - Vancouver College publication.

Opening it takes some time. There is also a photo and a bit more on Sonny Homer.


http://vc.bc.ca/documents/IrishReviewSpring061.pdf

The B.C. native was respected among peers and
fans alike for his agility and competitive nature. Sonny
ranks in the top 15 of all-time leading receivers for the club,
recording 217 receptions for 3,765 yards and 24 touchdowns. He
also the team?s leading receiver for the 1964 championship
season and ultimately caught more passes than any other B.C.
player during the 1960s.

Sonny retired after the 1968 season having played in 162
games over 11 seasons with the Lions. The impact he left on
the club has been recognized with his inclusion on both the
30th and 40th Anniversary dream teams.

A quotation from the 1955 Collegian, ?The Irish never played better.
Hardrunning Sonny Homer was bursting for sensational gains and
scored three touchdowns?one a 40-yard run, the other a 92-
yard run, and a third a runback after the kickoff. ?

The former Vancouver Sun columnist, Jim Taylor described
Sonny as ?a Vancouver kid who ran so fast he ?seemed to float
over the grass without disturbing a blade.? Taylor also pointed
out that Sonny played with one kidney and a heart that
contained eight bypasses and one metal valve.

?He had surgery after his rookie year,? Taylor wrote. ?He?d
been squeezed between a tackle and a running back in his
senior year at Grey?s Harbour Junior College and emerged
with one kidney squished to the thickness of a 50-cent piece.
The doctors removed it and said he was nuts to play pro-ball.
They told him that he could run out of kidneys. ?Right,?
Sonny said, and played 10 more years.?

http://www.legacy.com/can-vancouver/Obi ... RCHRESULTS

At remembering.ca there are messages and a really neat story by Thomas Bryant about Sonny Homer and giving him a football after a game.

I don't know the person but I did know Sonny and from what this fellow says was how Sonny talked to him and asked who he was reminded me very much of the way he was.

The last time I spoke briefly to him was the night he and Jim Sandusky were signing photos. I know I posted this here before but I got in that line at half time and got him to sign the photo and asked him if he was still in North Van. He looked up at me and said my older brother's name who was closer to his age and who played at North Van High with his younger brother Don. Didn't matter he got it wrong, he then introduced me to Jim Sandusky which was also nice.

Read the postings at that sight from his wife and friends or possibly add a comment of your own.