Bill Quirk
Sport: Softball
Year Inducted: 1994
The North End Fastball league was the premiere league in Cornwall and area from the late 1940’s through to the 60’s. The calibre and competiveness of the league was at its peak in the ten years from the mid 50’s to mid 60’s when a large percentage of talented ball players were concentrated in a relatively small number of teams.
During this period of the best fastball competition in eastern Ontario and northern New York, no player dominated the game more than young Bill Quirk.
Not only was he the most accomplished pitcher of the year, he was also the most prolific hitter. He swept both the pitching and batting titles in a very tough league for 3 successive years.
He pitched in the professional Montreal Snowdon Fastball League at age 17, and starred for the Montreal Junior “B” hockey team.
He moved to Cornwall in 1955, and led the Power Project team to two league Championships, and numerous tournament wins, and he also led the Emard Lumber team to North End League Fastball Championships in 1958 and 1960. He led the team to two straight Eastern Ontario Fastball Championships.
He won the Massena NY fastball tournament. He was runner up to Moe Racine for Athlete of the Year award. He played for and coached Lachine Braves senior hockey team, and played for Air Canada when he returned to Montreal in 1963. He also played for and coached Sidney Millionaires senior hockey team in Nova Scotia and won the scoring title.
He continued playing fastball in Montreal area until age 48.
He now enjoys retirement with his wife, children, and grandchildren.