By Pepper Parr
June 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We can tell you this now – a few hours ago we were communicating via email with Ron Foxcroft and arranging to meet with him at the inaugural flight of Lynx Air that is setting up a Hamilton to Halifax flight schedule.
Foxcroft couldn’t talk for very long. He said:
Marnix Heersink with his wife Mary
“In 5 minutes I am leaving to tribute Burlington Central High School Graduate Marnix Heersink”, who Foxcroft said was the “the best basketball player at Burlington Central and Western University.”
“Today he is an Eye Surgeon in Alabama.
“He just donated $95MILLION to UAB Birmingham Alabama and $32MILLLION to McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences.
“I am the surprise guest speaker now, and a BIG SURPRISE. I am bring his 92 year old High School Basketball Coach Ward Russell to the celebration. Ward’s wife Shirley sang in my mom’s church choir. My mom was the organist.
“Marnix grew up in Burlington, and had a Spec Paper Route and earned $5.00 per week.
“I had a Toronto Telegram Paper Route and earned $1.90 per week.”
Is this the day that every Central High School student gets a Fox40 whistle – and every student blows that whistle at the same time?
Last night’s event at McMaster University was a spectacular evening. Mac’s leading faculty including the Dean of Medicine Paul O’Byrne, Dr. John Kelton and many of the Heersink family attended and Ron was the star of the show with a fabulous speech that captured everyone’s attention. Big big round of applause to him. Big big thank you to him from Marnix Heersink