MONTREAL – McGill Athletics is saddened to learn of the passing of
Joe Poirier, a five-time all-star in the Canadian Football League and three-time Grey Cup champion, who shone on the gridiron for McGill University, while also playing for the varsity hockey team. He was 84.
A resident of Aylmer, Que., who was originally from Verdun, Que., Poirier passed away on Dec. 22, 2021 in Gatineau, Que., after a short and difficult battle with cancer.
Born John Joseph Poirier on July 30, 1937, he went on to star in junior football for the NDG Maple Leafs and completed an undergraduate degree at Loyola College (now Concordia), where he played varsity football, hockey and basketball.
He transferred to McGill in 1957 for post-graduate studies in social work. A recipient of the football team's Fred Wigle Trophy as most sportsmanlike player in 1958, Poirier was an all-star in each of his two seasons, at both tight end and defensive back.
He also laced up his skates for one season of hockey at McGill in 1958-59.
Poirier was inducted to the Loyola Sports Hall of Fame in 1968 and to the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Known as "The Fox", Poirier measured 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds and had pro tryouts with the B.C. Lions in both 1957 and 1958 but returned to McGill both years.
"He was a great guy, a very good athlete and played both ways for us," recalled
Dave Copp, a former teammate and coach of his at McGill. "After he retired, I ran into him one night at his bar ("The Banana Boat") and he told me a funny story. After being drafted by the B.C. Lions, he went to their training camp in Kelowna, B.C. One night after an exhibition game, the boys had a wild night out on the town and it made the newspapers. The next day at practice during a team meal, Lions head coach
Clem Crowe sat down across from Joe at the dinner table and asked Poirier what was Montreal like."
"Well coach, let me put it this way," replied Poirier. "If what happened at the bar last night had taken place in Montreal, you wouldn't have heard about it the next day."
"Poirier was traded to Ottawa the very next day," Copp said.
After signing with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1959, Poirier won the Gruen Trophy as the most outstanding rookie in the CFL East Division. He spent 12 seasons in the nation's capital and never missed a game, playing 168 regular season contests from 1959 to 1970. He appeared in four Grey Cup games, winning championships with Ottawa in 1960, 1968 and 1969, while losing the 1966 game to Saskatchewan.
A CFL All-Canadian in 1966, Poirier was named five times as a CFL East all-star. He recorded at least one interception in every CFL season except his rookie campaign and led the league in that department with nine in 1966. He established Rough Riders career records for most interceptions (47) and interception yardage (658). Two of his picks were returned for touchdowns.
During and after his football career, he was employed as a social worker for various Ottawa non-profit organizations, including the United Appeal. He later worked in the public service of Canada and with the Canadian Tourism Commission.
He was the husband of Géraldine Lavoie (Gerri) and the son of the late John Poirier and the late Mary Rogers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Erin, J.J. (Shirley Burotzki), Noémi and Samuel (Lindsay Noël). He was predeceased by his oldest daughter Kerry (1994). He also leaves three grandchildren (Kaleb, William and Rose) as well as many in-laws, nephews and nieces.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private funeral was scheduled for the family. However, web access to the funeral will be available on
Jan. 24, starting at 2 p.m. via the following link:
https://commemora.tv/en/diffusions/43689
The family has indicated that they would welcome donations in his name to the United Way Outaouais.
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
MOBILE SITE:
http://mcgillathletics.ca/mobile/index.aspx
WEBSITE:
www.mcgillathletics.ca
E-MAIL:
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
