David Rigby

David Rigby was born in Ottawa in 1932.  His family moved to Burritt’s Rapids where he married in 1960 and then moved to Kemptville.  Dave was a superior athlete in his youth, excelling in football, baseball and hockey.  He had the terrible misfortune of contracting polio at the age of 21 which was quite a challenge for a young man who was so gifted.Having lost the use of his legs, and not wanting to be confined to a wheelchair, he lived the rest of his life dependent on the use of crutches.  This, however, did not stop him from pursuing his love of sports. If he couldn’t play, he would coach and offer his knowledge of the games to others.  In the early 1960s, Dave joined with a few others to start organizing minor hockey for local youth – today this group is known as the Kemptville District Minor Hockey Association.

Dave found his passion coaching and supporting young men and local youth in whatever capacity he could.  Despite his physical challenges and limitations he was able to coach teams to much success, one of those being the Powell Esso Senior Men’s Ball Team in the 1960s.  Dave always believed that sports should play an important role in the life of a child, and his contributions made that a reality for many youth in this community.