Canadian Curling Hall of Famer Leo Hebert passes away

Leo Hebert, a former Brier and world curling champion from British Columbia has passed away.

Hebert died on Oct. 28, one day after celebrating his 89th birthday.

Inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2000, Hebert was the last surviving member of the legendary Lyall Dagg team that claimed both the Macdonald Brier and world men’s championships in 1964.

Playing vice-skip on a team that included second Fred Britton and lead Barry Naimark, the Vancouver-based squad claimed B.C.’s second Brier championship, winning its final two games at the Forum in Charlottetown — a morning 8-3 victory over four-time champions Saskatchewan, skipped by Ernie Richardson, and then a dramatic 9-7 extra-end win over the host P.E.I. team, with the winning deuce in the 13th end coming on a steal when P.E.I. skip Art Burke was heavy with his final stone.

Two weeks later, playing in the first Scotch Cup world men’s championship ever staged in Canada, Dagg’s newly crowned Canadian champions thrilled a big crowd at the Stampede Corral in Calgary, beating Scotland’s Alex Torrance 12-10 in 13 ends to claim the world title with an unbeaten record.

Hebert was born in Athabasca, Alta., and moved to Vancouver after high school and eventually started working for Imperial Oil.

An all-around athlete, Hebert began curling at nine years old, and would go on to win seven B.C. championships — three men’s, three seniors and a masters title.

In addition to his induction to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, Hebert, also is a member of the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and received the Curl B.C. Lifetime Achievement Award.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. A private family gathering honouring Leo will be held at a later date.