Video Transcription
“Let’s Talk Sports!” and we can’t do that in Lambton County without honouring Our Boy Roy: Roy Caley. https://voca.ro/1mJ6h9fVBEDr
Roy was born in 1920. He attended Watford Public School then Watford High School where he became known as an all-round athlete. He then started writing columns for the Watford Guide Advocate before joining CHOK Radio in 1972.
Many people in the community remember the CHOK’s two man Junior and Senior hockey broadcast with Roy Caley and George Heath.
Roy won the Broadcaster of the Year award in 1988. At that time it was noted that a typical Roy Caley broadcast day would begin with three hours in the morning in Sarnia followed by a mid-day commute to a County Council meeting, then back to Sarnia in the evening to broadcast commentary for Sarnia’s Junior B hockey team. On weekends, one would find him appearing as the Master of Ceremonies for numerous County functions or diligently planning sporting events.https://voca.ro/19BwS5ZwiZk4
Roy loved his community of Watford and was constantly giving back. He was a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, taught Sunday school for 23 years, was president of the Watford Hockey Association for 10 years and was organizer of the road race for 29 years!
Roy was an all around athlete and particularly loved hockey. He was the first director of the Silver Stick Regional Tournament in Lambton County and helped bring the North American finals of the tournament to Sarnia, Port Huron and Mooretown.
Roy received many awards including the “Media Recognition Award” in 1988 from the Ontario Hockey Association, the 125th anniversary of Confederation medal, Watford’s citizen of the year in 1986 and he was inducted into the Lambton County Hall of Fame in 1988.
For his dedication to sports and community, Our Boy Roy is truly a Lambton County hero.
Additional Information
Roy was born to Robert and Sarah Caley in Watford in 1920. He attended Watford Public School then Watford High School where he became known as an all-round athlete. As a youth Roy competed in track and field, basketball, and other sports. He also played on many hockey and baseball teams and began coaching and managing the teams when he retired from playing.
His first job was at Andrew’s Wire Works for 8 years then Clarks Flour and Feed for 22 years. He then started writing columns for the Watford Guide Advocate before joining CHOK Radio in 1972. Many people in the community remember throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s CHOK’s two man Junior and Senior hockey broadcast with Roy Caley and sport’s director and play by play broadcaster George Heath.
When Roy won the Broadcaster of the Year award in 1988, it was noted a typical Roy Caley broadcast day would begin with three hours in the morning in Sarnia followed by a mid-day commute to a County Council meeting, then back to Sarnia in the evening to broadcast commentary for Sarnia’s Junior B hockey team. On weekends, one would find him appearing as the Master of Ceremonies for numerous County functions or diligently planning sporting events such as the Alvinston Road Race and the Watford Silverstick Hockey Tournament.
Roy was integral in bringing International Silver Stick Hockey to Watford, starting with a tournament of 20 teams in January 1960. He was the tournament director for several years. He was elected Commissioner of the International Silver Stick Association in 1973 and was on the International Board of Directors.
He was also the first chairman of the Watford International Road Race. The first Alvinston to Watford road race in 1957 had 12 runners and has grown in popularity since. The Watford Alvinston road race continues to be held annually on the Victoria Long weekend.
His last official broadcast duty was the Brigden Fair in 1991. Afterwards, he returned for specific assignments, including some sports coverage and the daily noon hour ‘Caley Country’ program. After his retirement, he continued to write the weekly sports column in the Forest Standard called “Let’s Talk Sports”.
Roy lived in Watford for the majority of his life and his dedication to the local community, along with his accomplished broadcasting career earned him numerous awards and commendations locally and provincially. Former CHOK President Rick Richardson once said of Caley, “he is involved in literally every activity of significance effecting Lambton County.”
Roy passed on March 16, 1999 and is interred in Watford Cemetery.
Contact Us
Subscribe to this page