1909–1968
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Section 41 Lot 351
Charles William “Charlie” Conacher was born in Toronto and grew up near Davenport Road. He attended Jesse Ketchum Public School and discovered his love for hockey early on. Though he began as a goalie because of his poor skating abilities, his determination never wavered. By his teenage years, he had transformed into a scoring sensation with the junior hockey club the Toronto Marlboros, leading them to Memorial Cup glory.
In 1929, Conacher joined the Toronto Maple Leafs and made an immediate impact, scoring his first NHL goal on his very first shift. He soon became a cornerstone of the legendary “Kid Line,” alongside Joe Primeau and Harvey “Busher” Jackson. Together, they thrilled fans and dominated the league. Conacher’s career was filled with remarkable achievements: he scored the first Leafs goal at the first game played in the Maple Leaf Gardens on November 12, 1931, led the NHL in scoring in 1934 and 1935, and helped Toronto capture the Stanley Cup in 1932. Over his career, he played 459 NHL games, recording 225 goals and 398 points.
Known as “The Big Bomber,” Conacher’s booming shot and fearless playing style made him one of hockey’s most compelling figures. His contributions to the sport earned him an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. After retiring in 1941, he built a successful career in the hotel business and counted celebrities such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dwight Eisenhower among his friends. He also coached the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and OHL’s Oshawa Generals, continuing to shape the game he loved.
Charlie Conacher passed away on January 30, 1968, after a battle with cancer. His legacy lives on through the Charlie Conacher Dinner, a fundraiser for cancer research that ran until 1984, and through his enduring reputation as one of hockey’s greatest right wingers.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Charlie Conacher
• The Canadian Encyclopedia – Charlie Conacher
• Puckstruck – “Charlie Conacher: Many Happy Returns of Tomorrow”
• Sportsnet – Greatest Maple Leafs: No. 3 Charlie Conacher
Photos:
• Boston Public Library
• Leslie Jones Collection
• HHOF
