Speaker Series – Cornwall’s Sporting History

Museum Speaker Series
January 20, 2026

Thom’s presentation will bring the past to life through stories of Cornwall’s sporting history, teams and individuals. Hear about the highlights and individuals that make up Cornwall’s colourful and interesting sporting past like the Caledonia Games in Mattice Park and the Lacrosse games at the Athletic Grounds at the turn of the century (1899-1900), the on-ice death of Owen McCourt and the trial that followed, and the great Newsy Lalonde and his on-ice prowess and Lacrosse wizardry from 1900-1920. Find out about the fire that destroyed the Victoria Arena in 1933 and the build of the Community Arena three years later. Learn about the women who took over the hockey scene during the great war, and The Flyers and their Allan Cup run in 1938, along with the industrial leagues in hockey, fastball and basketball with teams representing the Factory Town’s industrial make up.

About Thom Racine

Born in Cornwall, Ontario and raised in Ottawa, Thom Racine grew up listening to stories—especially those told by his grandmother, author Dorothy Donihee. Her vivid recollections of life under the smokestacks of Cornwall’s Howard Smith Paper Mill sparked in Thom a lifelong love of history, narrative, and the people who shape a place. Thom returned to his hometown in 1981 to join the Cornwall Police Service. Over the next 32 years, he walked the streets, listened to its people, and became a living archive of the city’s past and present. Before retiring as a sergeant, he built a legacy not just in law enforcement but as a trusted voice, connector, and keeper of Cornwall’s stories.

While policing, Thom also made his mark in sports broadcasting. For more than three decades, he balanced police work with a second calling—on the airwaves. As a TV and radio broadcaster, columnist, and public address announcer, he became a familiar voice in Cornwall’s arenas and a passionate promoter of local athletes and stories. He has emceed over 400 hockey games and community events, bringing humor, warmth, and depth to every microphone he touches.

Behind the scenes, Thom’s fascination with family, heritage, and truth led him into genealogical work, cemetery service, and historical research for the Catholic Diocese of Cornwall. Whether investigating unsolved mysteries, preserving archives, or simply asking the right questions, Thom continues to uncover the overlooked corners of community history.

A natural storyteller, Thom has authored two award-winning books: Constable Davey – A Future Lost (2011) tells the haunting true story of a town constable’s murder in 1892 and the family left behind. Moe the Toe – Never My Dream (2014) is a heartfelt memoir of his father’s Hall of Fame football career and a son’s tribute to a quiet legend. His third book, The Miracle Maid, takes readers on another journey into Cornwall’s past—rich with the humanity, insight, and curiosity that define his work.

Thom is a recipient of The Seeker’s Choice Award for Literary Artist of the Year in 2012 and 2015. Retired, but never still, he lives in Cornwall with his high school sweetheart and wife, Karen. He’s a proud dad to son Jarrett, and a devoted grandfather of two.