Born in Guelph in 1937, Evo Parisotto loved to play sports. He made it as high as Junior B in hockey but also played football and volleyball at GCVI, and minor baseball.
He was the General Manager of the Guelph CJOY’s baseball club from 1969 to 1971. In 1970, that team won the Intercounty Championship – its first title in 38 years. He was always involved at the grassroots level helping organize different leagues and even served as the President of the Guelph Minor Hockey Association between 1979 and 1981. He also coached baseball, softball and hockey.
While he loved to be involved off the ice, it seems his happiest moments were on it, as an official with the Guelph Hockey Referees Association. Evo joined the GHRA in 1952 then spent the next 52 years officiating at various levels of minor hockey. It didn’t matter whether he was picking up first-time skaters in the corner or involved in an intense juvenile playoff game, Parisotto loved every minute of it and was highly respected.
Evo was the first ever winner of the GHRA’s Doug Brill memorial trophy, given to the official showing the most participation and dedication throughout the year. In 1978 he was made a lifetime member of the GHRA. That same year he received an honourary lifetime membership to the Guelph Minor Hockey Association for his never ending dedication.
For over half a century Evo was the type of person that made minor sports in this city work. Dedicated, hard working and respected by all.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Officials category – on May 20, 2009
