The Richmond Baseball community is mourning the loss of a popular longtime coach who gave back to the game for the better part of three decades.
Stew Wilson passed away last month following a brief illness. He was 85.
It was in 1977 when Wilson’s son Gary joined the Richmond Budgies as a player, one year after the program had re-located from Nat Bailey Stadium.
“At the time, he was recovering from stomach cancer but he was very interested, in the team, the game itself and we always chatted after games,” recalled longtime Richmond coach and manager Gord Lowrey.
Playing under main sponsor Richmond Autobody, the senior men’s club eventually moved to Minoru Park in 1983 and Wilson agreed to come onboard as a pitching coach with the junior team. He continued with that role until 1989 when the organization re-structured and Wilson was put in charge of pitching for all three teams (premier, senior and junior) which typically trained together.
“Stew was an integral part of the Richmond baseball scene from his playing days in the late 1940s to coaching with Richmond Autobody and then the Richmond Budgies until our demise in 2007,” said Lowrey. “He worked with players ranging from 16 to 30 years-old and was just a well-respected baseball man.”
Wilson’s late wife Beverley was also a big part of the Budgies volunteer group, taking on several duties including scorekeeper. The couple were often referred to as “Mr and Mrs. Baseball” in Richmond.
In recent years, Lowrey and Wilson took their longtime friendship to Legend’s Pub on Saturday mornings. When word got out about their regular meetings, former players would often show up to catch up with their coaches and reminisce about their days on the diamond.
“Stew was one of those guys who was genuinely interested in what you had to say and would talk to anybody about anything,” added Lowrey. “If you asked him a question, he would give you an honest answer and tell it exactly how it is. He was a straight shooter that way and held no grudges.”
A celebration of Wilson’s life will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to consider a donation to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation or the BC Cancer Society.