MUNICIPAL. Farnham City Council has decided to name the new baseball field on Principale Street West after Arthur Lussier.
It should be recalled that one of the two former lots on rue Saint-André Sud – now converted into a residential development – already bore the name of Arthur Lussier, while the other had been designated in honor of Allie Longtin. One of the streets perpendicular to rue Saint-André Sud continues to perpetuate the memory of Mr. Longtin.
Sportsman and musician
Arthur Lussier, born in April 1903 and died in February 1986, occupies an important place in the short history of Farnham for his sporting exploits and his contribution to local cultural life.
At 16, Mr. Lussier played shortstop for the Farnham baseball team, a sports team that plays in a regional league with Granby, Saint-Jean and Iberville.
In 1922, the organization of the Montreal Canadiens, also owner of a baseball team playing in the Provincial League, made an offer to Mr. Lussier who accepted it. He will play in Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Quebec, but refuses any professional contract, not wanting to leave his job at Canadian Pacific (CP).
In 1925, Arthur Lussier joined the CP team in the Montreal Manufacturing League, where he played in Toronto and Detroit. In 1936, this great sportsman contributed to the victory of the Farnham team in the senior provincial championship. He also played for Saint-Hyacinthe, in the Green Mountain League, before ending his baseball career in 1939. He then acted as a referee in the Provincial League.
Arthur Lussier also played hockey and led the Farnham team in 1938-39.
This amateur trumpeter was also musical director of the Farnham Citizens’ Band. In 1931, he notably signed the first contract for the Molson Concerts as secretary of the Fanfare.
