George Lorne "Corky" Agar

FEBRUARY 6, 1946 - JANUARY 28, 2011

OBITUARY - MORNINGSTAR NEWSPAPER JAN 28, 2011

The Morning Star- Online Obituaries, Friday, January 28, 2010

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of George "Corky" Agar on January 28, 2011 at the age of 64. Corky recently retired from BCAA and was looking forward to a life of leisure on the golf course. He will be remembered for his years in pro hockey across North America and Europe. We will miss not only his passion on the ice but his passion for his family and his zest for life. He is survived by his beautiful, loving wife Maryanne, his sons George (Karen) and Danny (Sheri), and daughters Carrie (Steve) and Katie (Steve). He will be missed especially by his grandchildren who he loved more than life itself: Jaydon, Zach, Jake, Halle, Kalan, Dariyn, Amelia, and Vincent. Corky will be missed by his brothers, Les (Shelley), Jim (Elly), Greg (Lora), Bob (Debbie) and all of his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving parents, George and Shirley. There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, February 2nd at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church (10102 Middleton Dr. Coldstream B.C.) at 1:00 pm. Prayers and viewing will be held Tuesday night at 7pm at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. The family wishes to thank the staff of Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Emergency and ICU, especially Dr. Paul Smylie, Dr. Stephen Friesen, and Jason Danbrook, for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.

Between The Lines by Kevin Mitchell

We lost a fine gentleman and one of the city's greatest hockey players Friday.

George "Corky" Agar died in Vernon Jubilee Hospital following a massive stroke. He would have been 65 on Feb. 7.

One of the original Junior A Vernon Blades, Agar went on to play for the Sasatoon Blades of the Saskatchewan Junior League before seeing eight games with the pro Western League L.A. Blades in 1965.

"Corky played my second year with the Blades and he was only 16", recalls Bob Stein of Vernon. "He was a very good player. We would have loved to have him hang around but his dad had contacts in Saskatchewan."

Agar starred with the WIHL Nelson Maple Leafs from 1968-70, later joining the semi-pro Leafs again in the 1977-78 season after playing several seasons of pro hockey in Germany.

He was with the Flint Generals of the IHL for two big seasons. He compiled 35-44-79 to win the Garry F. Longman Memorial Trophy as Outstanding Rookie in 1971.

The same award went to Glen (Chico) Resch two years later. The top rookie honour has since been won by Ed Belfour, John Cullen, Tommy Salo and Marty Turco.

Corky was blessed with a beautiful smile, fast skating stride and a wicked shot. He also played a solid game of golf and had recently just began retirement after serving as the regional manager of BCAA.

His late father, George, was a superstar playing-coach with the 1956 Allan Cup champion Vernon Canadians. The team was adorded and honoured with a hugh downtown parade after they won the best-of-seven national final over Chatham, Ont.

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