Writer Robert Smith recalls the life and times of a departed friend who spent virtually an entire lifetime involved with harness racing in a supporting role

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About a year and a half ago, February 9, 2008 to be exact, the sport of harness racing lost a dear friend; and so did I. His name was Ernie Sherman. He was not a household name; his accomplishments were not captured by the mountain of statistics we keep, but they did place him right where he always wanted to be - involved but never in the spotlight.

Despite his ever youthful look and agile manner, he was just a few months short of his 90th birthday when he died. He lived a long and fulfilling life and fell ill just a few days prior to his passing. His wife Mary died in 1990 and his son Bill & spouse Barb still resides in Windsor.

Born and raised in the little Simcoe County town of Beeton, Ontario into a family that eventually numbered 10 siblings, Ernie learned early in life what work was all about. He soon also learned what he liked to do when the real work was done, and that was to be around the horses. His older brother Pat, who trained as a hobby at the Beeton fairgrounds was his original inspiration. He even had a horse called Beeton Grattan. That was over 75 years ago.

As a young man his life was affected as were most of his generation by the outbreak of World War II. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served faithfully throughout the war years. Often while at sea or docked at some foreign Port, he longed to be back where harness racing was held. Eventually that day came, and throughout the remainder of his lifetime he either owned, jogged, fed or was in some way never far from the sport he loved. He even had near perfect attendance at The Little Brown Jug for many years.

For several decades he was involved in the ownership of many successful horses with noted trainer Rod Duford. Much more than business partners they were true friends and often travelled together. Among their best were Mattomic Energy and Nuke Ouellette. While he loved to win races and strive for success, what Ernie loved most was to be near the action. He talked to everyone, but more importantly he listened. He valued the opinion of the newly hired groom just as much as the predictions of the wealthy owner. Wherever he travelled he made friends.

Although he seldom spoke of his own achievements in the business world he was a very skilled and intelligent man. A 1st Class Stationary Engineer by trade, he spent many years at the headquarters of Hiram Walker & Sons, the home of world famous "Canadian Club". When he retired in 1983 yet another of his life's plans was enacted.

Ernie spent all of his winters in Florida from then on, doing what he loved for five or six months each year. Early each day he headed to Pompano or a training centre where he "hooked up" with a number of prominent stables where he jogged several horses each day. He "worked" for Jack Darling, Kevin Wallis and Fred Drouillard. He was I am sure involved in the early lessons of world champion Burning Point. When the daily training chores were done he liked to socialize and attend the evening races with a small group of friends such as blacksmith Ron Hill, horsemen Al Casselman, Keith and Murray Waples and many more I am sure that he may not have mentioned.

The Sherman connection also included extended family involved in harness racing. His nephew Terry Stone, as well as Terry's son Brent, has long been associated with the ORC. Many years ago another nephew, Dr. Jim Sherman was a Commission vet prior to his death at a very young age.

His long years of involvement in the sport not only brought much enjoyment I would venture a guess it also lengthened his life span. His many decades of interest and dedication bear testimony to the fact that everyone's role in the sport is an important one. You need not always be on the "Who's Who List ".

The passing of Ernest William Sherman removes a fine gentleman from our midst but it does not go unnoticed or unrecognized.