Earl Rice long time Level 5 Umpire from St. John, New Brunswick passed away yesterday after a courageous battle with cancer. He was with his family during his last moments.
Earl was a great friend to our Softball Canada Umpire family working hard to develop umpires in his local area of St. John and his province of New Brunswick. Earl always supported and promoted Softball Canada throughout his life. This past summer despite having cancer treatments he was the umpire liaison for the Midget girls National championship in his home town of St. John. He was at the park day and night taking care of the umpires from across Canada. Perhaps one of his proudest moments this year was that he was able to notify one of his local Umpires Gordy Craft that he achieved Level 5 status after a successful tournament at the Sr. Men’s in PEI.
Earl is in the New Brunswick Softball Hall of Fame and this Hockey Team The St. John Mooseheads the 1973 Hardy Cup Canadian Champions is in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. Earl was the captain of the team. Earl was a very good friend and it is hard when friends pass away but Earl will move on to a better life with many of our umpire family.
He is survived by his wife Leslie who fought with him during his yearlong battle. Please pass along your prayers to Leslie. Funeral arrangements are as follow
Brenan’s Select Funeral Home 111 Paradise Row Saint John, N.B.
Visiting Wednesday & Thursday 2-4 pm. 7-9 pm Funeral Friday 11am Hillcrest United Baptist Church 476 Lancaster Ave. West.
Leslie, Earl’s wife is requesting all umpires who attend the Funeral to wear the blue.
Bob Stanton
ISF Director of Umpires