Powell River Otago Rugby Club will be celebrating the life of Robert (Bob) Flewelling, a charter member of the club, which has been in existence for nearly 50 years.
The celebration for “Flewy” will take place on June 1, from 1 to 4 pm, at the rugby club’s clubhouse at 6821 Church Street in Cranberry.
Flewelling was born in 1939 and died in 2020, during the height of COVID-19, which is why his celebration of life has been delayed. Flewelling was a tireless lover and advocate of sports, which led him to Otago nearly 50 years ago.
Flewelling also loved to play hockey, and wearing an old hockey kit, he would literally growl in the corners when he went in after the puck. He used that same growl in every sport he played, which was an admired characteristic by his many teammates in many sports.
Friend, Otago teammate and coach Jack Beardmore said Flewelling excelled at baseball, and loved football and lacrosse, also.
“He just had a love of sports,” said Beardmore. “He always said, that’s what made young men grow up.”
Playing Double A baseball in California, Flewelling pitched back-to-back no-hitters, according to Beardmore.
According to former Otago teammate Ken Parsons, Flewelling had such a storied sports career that it was unbelievable.
Flewelling also coached lacrosse, and the lacrosse championship cup in this community was named after him.
Former teammate Stu Hotston said that Flewelling was a collector of souvenirs and memorabilia, and many of the special items displayed in the Otago clubhouse were found over the years by Flewelling, with items from all over the world having been collected.
The rugby club’s origins came in 1975 when Andre Berthiaume was transferred to Powell River with BC Ferries. Berthiaume had played rugby in Victoria with the Agrarians in Saanich. When he moved to Powell River he formed a club, which became Otago.
Flewelling answered the call and helped recruit some members, which helped the club become what it is today. Flewelling’s position was as a forward, as a tight-head prop, playing for years, into his 50s.
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