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Gone But Not Forgotten "FRIENDS OF FOOTBALL"   

This page is dedicate to the Friends of Football, that have played in the former Burlington Touch Football League or present, Golden Horseshoe Touch Football Association (GHTFA). Each one of these former players contributed a good portion of their life, enjoying the game of touch but have since passed away. Lets not forget!


Craig Connolly
“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Craig Connolly on Saturday, July 16th from brain cancer. Craig was a 25+ year player in the GHTFA with a handful of teams including Gator Ted’s, the Hornets, and currently the Thunder . He also played for many years in the Masters League. Craig’s unmatched humour on the football field was his trademark and it will be much quieter at games without him around. Our condolences go out to his wife Jodie, his kids Peyton & Callum, and all his friends and former teammates in the touch football community.”

Frank Bolla 

• Touch Football Pioneer - Montreal 1961
• GHTFA HOF - 2001
• 1932 - 2017

 Larry Hodgson

•  GHTFA HOF 2002
• Teams: Hamilton Cowboys, Fox 40 and Master's League

Charlie Burton

• Team: Steelers 
• GHTFA Hall of Fame Member - 2004
• Charlie Burton was born Jan. 7 1949 and was a long time resident of Oakville Ontario.  A graduate of T.A. Blakelock High School in Oakville, Charlie was an elite athlete all his life playing at the rep level in hockey and football and an all star in all high school sports. Chaz was a lightning quick forward in hockey with the Oakville Blades Hockey club and with the Oakville Adanacs Sr. Club.  In tackle football, Charlie was an all star at whatever level he played, Oakville Minor Football, T.A. Blakelock H.S., Oakville Colts or the Oakville Sr. Black Knights. As was one of the original founders of the Oakville Touch Football Association, he played with the Oakville Steelers in the Oakville league for many years. When the Steelers joined the GHTFA, Charlie played till the day he passed away. A constant threat with his speed and quick feet, Charlie valiantly fought cancer for over seven years, going through many surgeries while continuing to play. Playing touch football for over 35 years Charlie was inducted to the GHTFA Hall of Fame in 2004, an honour well deserved. Charlie’s son Scott Burton has followed in Charlie’s shoes, playing with the Steelers for the last 6 years and is a constant reminder for all of our team of his dad…he is the spitting image of CB! Charlie passed away in June 16, 2004 was survived by his wife Trish and his four children, Sandy, Scott, Rachel and Grant, sorely missed his close buddies and many friends who loved this warm and gentle guy named Chaz. I am sure Charlie is at the top of his game in heaven and is sorely missed by all his family, friends and teammates!  

Francis John Baptiste  

• Team: Cougar Shoes             

Mark Graham (Cdn. Soldier)

• Team: "EH" Team (A League)
• Mark Graham (Canadian Veterans Memorial)
• Born in Jamaica, Mark Graham moved to Hamilton, Ontario with his family as a child. An exceptional athlete, he was a member of the Canadian 4 x 400 meter relay team in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. While his team did not reach the finals, Graham’s skills in track-and-field would go on to earn him an athletic scholarship from the University of Nebraska and later at Kent State University in Ohio. In 2004, he answered the call to serve in the cause of peace and freedom and enlisted in the Canadian Forces. Private Graham was sent to Afghanistan with the Royal Canadian Regiment. The 33-year old was killed warplane during an operation to capture a Taliban stronghold west of Kandahar. Graham is buried at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa. by ‘friendly fire’ on September 6, 2006 when his platoon was mistakenly attacked by an American Canadian Forces members continue to serve in Afghanistan in an effort to bring peace and freedom to a country torn apart by years of conflict.

Jean Bolla  (Wife/Builder) 

• Jean was an instrumental supporter with the GHTFA during those years, convening our Early Bird Tournament and Provincial Championship Tournaments at our host hotel. She contribute numerous hours ensuring the day to day operations for each tournament was kept up to date and making sure all the participating teams were happy and left with a smile. You could always count on her! 

Joe Chaisson

• Team: Orange N'Old (C division)

Glen (Twister) MacDonald

• Masters Division
• Glen starting playing in our Masters division back in 2000 and was on numerous championship teams over these years. His skills went beyond the game and was always seen on the back of his pick up at the end of the night enjoying a few pops with the guys. Glen was with us until 2008, till he encountered a mishap while at a golf outing in Collingwood with a few of his hockey buddies.

John Chaisson

• Pluckers - C League
• John played in the GHTFA for about 30 years on several teams and passed February 2013. (If you have any additional information about John you would like to share please pass it us to share with the rest of the Association)

Note: if any one can forward playing dates, a picture, a bios on these players or builders please send them to us. If you know of any other former players that has since passed away, we would like to post them on the site. Please send info to Rick Little