The Tom's

In November, 2007, the Western Canada Division was approached by some of the Irish community in Greater Vancouver and a formal request was made that two perpertual trophies be dedicated to two local members of the GAA community in Vancouver (& coincidently, 2 great friends), in order:

• to honor their contributions to the Gaelic Games here, and
• to provide the teams of the Division some silverware to play for in the Championships

The other clubs in the Division were contacted and it was unanimously agreed that the Cups be accepted. So, in 2008, for the very first time, the Men of the Western Canada Division battled for the Tom Butler Cup and the Ladies' vied for the Tom Gibbons Cup.

Tom Butler

In 1951 Tom Butler and his wife Teresa (nee Ryan), who had been childhood neighbours in their hometown of Kilmaine, Co. Mayo, arrived in Vancouver to begin a new life in Canada along with their children, Mary Ann and Kevin. In the years that followed their arrival, almost every new Irish emigrant to Vancouver became aware of Tom and Teresa’s address and phone number. There was always a warm welcome and many a party hosted at their home.

So in 1957, Tom was not surprised to receive a call from another new immigrant called Tom Gibbons asking him to come downtown to meet up with him. Butler asked where he would like to meet and Gibbons replied, “Under the shagging sun!” Butler was bewildered, “Under the shagging sun?” It turns out that Gibbons was referring to the old Sun Building on West Broadway in Vancouver. They met up and the two became good friends.

Tom Butler was a supporter of the GAA’s first club, called the Vancouver Sons of Erin who formed in 1961 and went on to the win a Northwest Championship on July 27, 1962 over Seattle and Portland. The club went to San Francisco, that summer, to battle for the Western NACB Championship.

The Sons of Erin wound down and Tom turned his GAA support to the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club that formed in 1974. He would see the 1984 and 1985 Northwest Champions go on to Boston and Chicago to battle for the North American Junior crown. Vancouver would later travel to Calgary in June 1990 with their trainer, Tom Butler, and in 1991 Tom would serve on the ISSC executive. Tom made it to all of the tournament cities, at one time or another, in the Pacific Northwest.

A few years later, Tom lost his dear wife, Teresa and many at her funeral remember the late Danny Burns singing his signature ballad song, ‘GRACE’, as a tribute to a person who was deeply mourned.

As the name suggests, the Irish Sporting and Social Club encompasses both a sporting and a social element. Seeing individuals meet and becoming couples through the club is testimony to its success as a social entity. Well, by God, how good it was when Catholine Egan and Tom Butler met, hooked up, became two mad lovers, and married in 1994. The Celtic Connection newspaper was marrying into the GAA! There is no doubt that our games in Western Canada have thrived because of this “love connection” of the Celtic Connection and the GAA.

This is no “Lifetime Achievement Award” night, signifying that’s it, Tom, you’re done! Using the words of our good friend, Tom Gibbons, “No shagging way!” This is a time to honour you, and to remind you, Tom, that there are numbers of Irish community organizations here that want you to sign on with them and help them out for St. Patrick’s Day. But we understand that you’ve been ‘contracted’ out to deliver the Celtic Connection papers forever1

Tom Gibbons

Tom Gibbons (Thomastown, Kilkenny) came to Vancouver in 1957 where he met Agnes Morrison (Belfast). They would marry that year at St. Augustine's Church on October 23 and were later blessed with four children, Teresa, Thomas, Liam and Kieron.

With Tom's love for the Gaelic games, he supported the Vancouver Sons of Erin Gaelic Football club in the early 60's. In the 70's up until the late 90's, he contributed to the Vancouver Irish Sporting and Social Club. He cheered from the side lines, volunteered to officiate, lined the fields of play and often took beaten up old hurls and gave them the attention needed for an "extended" playing life, as only a true hurling man from Kilkenny could do.

At half time, in any Gaelic football match, it would be Tom leading the charge of hurling enthusiasts to give a mighty exhibition of skill at John Hendry Park.

Tom was delighted that his sons took an interest with the Gaelic games. A proud moment for him being when his son, Liam, was awarded the Nick Forrestal Memorial Trophy in 1990 as the "Most Promising Young Canadian". That same year, at a Seattle tournament, a senior merit medal was awarded to Tom along with two crystal glasses as a token of appreciation for his work as a referee.

The All Ireland Football finals were brought in "live" for the first time in Vancouver in 1990 at St. Augustine's School. Tom was the custodian at the school and was well known for the standard of his "Shaggin" work.

In July 1998, Tom was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the Gaelic games at the Bailey's Cup and JJ Hyland Memorial Tournament. It also gave him great satisfaction to see both the men and lady footballers of Vancouver win all the trophies that year.

On the day of his death, Dec. 10 1998, Gaels from around the Pacific Northwest traveled to salute Tom, give thanks for his efforts with the Irish community and offered their condolences to Agnes and his family. Each time Tom's trophy is lifted by a ladies championship team in the years to come - we will remember him.