The Boys of '62: Transcending the Racial Divide Vaughan Furriers Maritime Junior Baseball champions

Born Francis Gordon Mitchell on October 18th, 1942, he is a typical Libra, quite balanced and able to see more than one side of any question. Politically and philosophically, he has always been an independent, and credits his ability with language to his grandmother, who lived with him as a child and taught him to read before entering school. School always seemed easy, but in high school his interests turned to sport - playing baseball, soccer and hockey - becoming a goaltender in the latter two sports. He was also a sprinter, running 10 sec in the 100 yards, a skill that would serve him well as an outfielder and base-stealer in baseball. Like so many other young men in this book, he began his minor hockey and baseball years with Dick Burns, playing with the Bruins and Cardinals. In total, Frank played with seven city championship teams in three sports, with all the winning teams in minor hockey coming in juvenile and junior. He played in seven Nova Scotia title series, winning two and losing two - in sudden death in hockey and extra-innings in baseball; he played for the Maritime title twice, without winning. In 1962-3 he was awarded the MVP for the Twin City Junior Hockey League, with the award being presented personally by Rocket Richard <b/>; he also played varsity and senior sports, as well as umpiring. He suggests competing - winning and losing - insport has helped him remain balanced and focussed in life. Today he plays golf. Francis holds B.Sc. (Chemistry) and graduate degrees in Education from St. Mary s University, as well as graduate degrees in Education and Administration from the University of Toronto. Most of his classroom teaching career was at St. Pat s High School, although he also taught part-time in university. In 1977 he was appointed as the Coordinator of Senior Schools in Halifax City, a position he held until being appointed Assistant Director of Education in 1988, retiring in 1996. That same year he formed a small publishing company (New World) that has produced over 30 books and audio titles, including two Canadian and one International best-seller.<b/> Frank is known for his tenacity and tireless work ethic.