List of people from Thunder Bay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following people were born in, residents of, or are otherwise closely connected to the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario
Activists
- Clifford Chadderton (1919–2013), World War II veteran and advocate for veterans; chief executive officer of The War Amps
- Rod Michano (born Toussaint Roderick Michano) (1964–), First Nations public speaker and educator, HIV/AIDS and LGBT activist
Arts
Artists
- Keith Cole, performance artist
- Mary Riter Hamilton (1873–1954), painter[1]
- Norval Morrisseau, also known as Copper Thunderbird (1932–2007), Ojibway artist[2]
- Ruth Tye McKenzie
Film and television
- Marie Avgeropoulos (1986–), actress best known for roles in the films Hunt to Kill, starring Steve Austin; and 50/50, starring Seth Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; and the CW show The 100; has also had small roles in hit television shows like Fringe and 90210[3]
- Richard Bocking (1931–2012), film producer and director[4]
- Aurora Browne, actress and comedian, co-star in the CTV/Comedy Network production Comedy Inc[5]
- Nanci Chambers (1963–), actress, best known for role as Lieutenant Loren Singer on the CBS television series JAG[6]
- Kevin Durand (1974–), actor, best known for television roles as Joshua on the Fox series Dark Angel, Martin Keamy on the ABC series Lost,[7] and films X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Devil's Knot
- Jeff Geddis (1975–), actor, best known for roles in Sophie and The Latest Buzz[8]
- Michelle Latimer, actress, best known for role as Trish Simpkin in the Showcase soap opera Paradise Falls[9]
- Dorothea Mitchell (1877–1976), lumberjack and co-founder of the Port Arthur Amateur Film Society;[10] first single woman in Ontario to be granted homestead rights[11]
- Trent Opaloch, film cinematographer, best known for his work with Neill Blomkamp and the Russo brothers[12]
- Sandy Webster, actor
Musicians
- Dave Azzolini, songwriter for Toronto-based pop-rock band The Golden Dogs[13]
- Sydney Blu (1977–), music producer and DJ
- Lauri Conger, keyboardist and songwriter for Parachute Club[citation needed]
- Bobby Curtola (1944–2016), early rock and roll singer and one-time teen idol[14]
- Gaye Delorme (1947–2011), songwriter and guitarist[citation needed]
- Jaida Dreyer, country music singer-songwriter
- Natasha Fisher, singer-songwriter[15]
- Don Grashey (1925–2005), songwriter and record producer[16]
- Jessica Grassia, keyboardist, vocalist, and percussionist for Toronto-based pop-rock band The Golden Dogs[13]
- Coleman Hell (1989–), singer, songwriter, dance producer [17]
- Gary Kendall, bassist for Downchild Blues Band[18]
- Hugh Le Caine (1914–1977), physicist, composer, inventor; built the Electronic Sackbut, one of the first synthesizers[19]
- Daniel MacMaster (1968–2008), singer for the Canadian/British hard rock band Bonham[citation needed]
- Paul Shaffer (1949–), musician, actor, and comedian, best known as the bandleader on the Late Show with David Letterman[20]
- Derek Sharp (1965–), rock singer, and guitarist; current lead singer of The Guess Who[citation needed]
- Ian Tamblyn (1947–), Juno Award-winning folk singer-songwriter, record producer and playwright
Writers
- Karen Autio, Finnish Canadian writer of children's fiction, notably the Saara Mäki historical novel trilogy.
- Michael Christie, short story writer and Scotiabank Giller Prize nominee[21]
- Shane Peacock (1957–), writer of books for young adults[22]
- Diane Schoemperlen (1954–), poet, novelist and short story writer[23]
- Duncan Weller (1975–), children's book writer and illustrator who won the 2007 Governor General's Award for Children's Literature – Illustration for his book The Boy from the Sun
Business
- Derek Burney (1939–), civil servant, businessman and former diplomat[24]
- Mel Pervais (1940–), Ojibwe, entrepreneur, energy industry executive
- Michael Rapino (1965–), CEO and President of Live Nation Entertainment
- James Whalen (1869–1929), businessman and entrepreneur with interests in forestry, shipbuilding, dredging, and towing[25]
Educators
- Bruce Muirhead, historian and academic whose work focuses on Canada's foreign trade policy[citation needed]
- Penny Petrone (1925–2005), writer, educator, patron of the arts, and philanthropist[26]
- Roy Piovesana (1942–2020), teacher and historian[27]
- Gary Polonsky (1942–), educator, founding President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology[citation needed]
Journalists
- Maurice Russell Brown (1912–2008), mining journalist
- Robin Philpot (1948–), journalist, Quebec nationalist
- Lorne Saxberg (1958–2006), broadcast journalist, news anchor on CBC Newsworld and NHK[28]
Law
- Bora Laskin (1912–1984), jurist, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of CanadaOfficial Biography Archived June 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Supreme Court of Canada website. Retrieved on April 20, 2007.
- Arthur Mauro (1927–), lawyer, businessman 2
University Of lakehead
Military
- Colonel Robert "Bob" Angus Keane DSO OBE ED CD (1914-1977), Canadian Army officer, Commanded The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) during the Second World War and later commanded the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment during the Korean War.[29]
- Elizabeth Lawrie Smellie (1884–1968), nurse, first woman to be promoted to the rank of colonel in the Canadian Army[30]
Politics
- Bob Andras (1921–1982), Liberal Member of Parliament for Port Arthur and Thunder Bay–Nipigon
- Iain Angus (1947–), Canadian politician, Thunder Bay City Councillor
- Hubert Badanai (born in Azzano Decimo, Italy) (1895–1986), automobile dealer and politician[31]
- Ken Boshcoff (1949–), former mayor, Liberal Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River[32]
- Joe Comuzzi (1933–), Conservative Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North[33]
- James Conmee (born in Sydenham Township, Canada West) (1848–1913), businessman, politician[34]
- Donald James Cowan (born in Drumbo, Blenheim Township, Oxford County, Ontario) (1883–1964), mayor of Port Arthur, 1916–1917; Crown attorney for Thunder Bay District, Ontario[citation needed]
- Charles Winnans Cox (born in Westminster Township, Middlesex County, Ontario) (1882–1958), longest-serving mayor of Port Arthur, 1934–1948 and 1952[citation needed]
- Simon James Dawson (born in Redhaven, Banffshire, Scotland) (1820–1902), surveyor, civil engineer, politician[35]
- Stan Dromisky (1931–2023), retired MP[36]
- Ernie Epp (born in Winnipeg, Manitoba) (1941–), historian, former politician[37]
- Doug Fisher (1919–2009), political columnist and politician[38]
- Jim Foulds (1937–), former New Democratic Party MPP for Port Arthur[citation needed]
- Clarence Decatur Howe (born in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States) (1886–1960), politician, "Minister of Everything"[39]
- Saul Laskin (1918–2008), first mayor of Thunder Bay and only Jewish mayor elected at the Lakehead; brother to Bora Laskin[citation needed]
- Robert James Manion (born in Pembroke, Ontario) (1881–1943), politician, leader of the Conservative Party 1938–1940[40]
- Steve Mantis (born in Reading, Pennsylvania) (1950-), politician and former National Coordinator of the Canadian Injured Worker Alliance
- Jack Masters (1931–), former mayor of Thunder Bay and MP for Thunder Bay–Nipigon[41]
- Lyn McLeod (1942–), Ontario politician, former leader of the Ontario Liberal Party[citation needed]
- Paul McRae (born in Toronto) (1924–1992), Liberal MP for Fort William[42]
- Bev Oda (1944–), Conservative Member of Parliament for Durham, Ontario; Japanese Canadian[43]
- Kevin Page (1957–), Canada's first Parliamentary Budget Officer[44]
- George Wardrope (1899–1980), Progressive Conservative MPP for Port Arthur[45]
Scientists
- Sanford Jackson (1909–2000), biochemist, inventor of the bilirubinometer
- Elsie MacGill (1905–1980), aeronautical engineer, the "Queen of the Hurricanes"
- David Pall (1914–2004), chemist, inventor of the Pall filter used in blood transfusions[46]
Sports
Baseball
- Jeff Heath (1915–1975), left fielder for the Cleveland Indians, St Louis Browns, and Boston Braves[47]
Curling
- Al Hackner (1954–), curler[citation needed]
- Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Curling Canada[48]
- Heather Houston (1958–), curler
- Krista McCarville (1982–), curler[citation needed]
- Lorraine Lang (1956–), curler, currently plays the alternate for Krista McCarville.
- Rick Lang (1953–), curler, currently serves as a performance consultant for Curling Canada.[49]
- Sarah Potts (1989–), curler, currently plays lead for Krista McCarville.
- Frank Sargent (1902–1988), inductee into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and former president of the Dominion Curling Association[50]
Ice hockey
- Jack Adams (1895–1968), hockey player; coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings
- Jeremy Adduono (1978–), left winger, Iserlohn Roosters (DEL)[51]
- Alex Auld (1981–), goaltender, Ottawa Senators (NHL)[52]
- Pete Backor (1919–1988), defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), 1944–1945[53]
- Peter Bakovic (1965–), retired left winger in the late 1980s for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL)[54]
- Steve Black (1927–2008), retired hockey player[55]
- Mackenzie Blackwood (1996–), goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche (NHL)[56]
- Bob Bodak (1961–), retired ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames and Hartford Whalers (NHL), 1987–1990[57]
- Gus Bodnar (1923–2005), centre for Toronto Maple Leafs and other NHL teams, winner of the Calder Trophy[58]
- Brooke Boquist (1996–), ice hockey player
- Robert Bortuzzo (1989–), defenseman for the Utah Mammoth
- Danny Bois (1983–), winger for the Ottawa Senators (NHL)[citation needed]
- David Bruce (1964–), retired ice hockey player for various teams in the NHL[59]
- Mike Busniuk (1951–), retired ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers[60]
- Larry Cahan (1933–1992), NHL player
- Michela Cava (1994–), professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Charge[61]
- Taylor Chorney (1987–), defenceman for North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA), prospect of the Edmonton Oilers[62]
- Tom Cook (1907–1961), retired forward for Montreal Maroons and Chicago Blackhawks[63]
- Alex Delvecchio (1931–), former centre and left winger for Detroit Red Wings and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame[citation needed]
- Lee Fogolin (1955–), retired NHL defenceman[64]
- Lee Fogolin, Sr. (1927–2000), retired ice hockey player for Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks
- Bruce Gamble (1938–1982), former professional ice hockey goaltender, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dave Gatherum (1932–), former professional ice hockey goaltender, briefly with the Detroit Red Wings
- Pete Goegan (1934–), retired NHL player[65]
- Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe (1953–), retired career minor leaguer, the inspiration for the character Ogie Ogilthorpe in the film Slap Shot[66]
- Smokey Harris (1890–1974), ice hockey forward, started his career with the Vancouver Millionaires[67]
- Jeff Heerema (1980–), professional ice hockey winger for the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues in the NHL and with the Binghamton Senators (AHL)[68]
- Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada[48]
- Bill Houlder (1967–), retired professional ice hockey defenceman[69]
- Carter Hutton (1985–), goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres
- Tony Hrkac (1966–), retired professional ice hockey centre[70]
- Haley Irwin (1988–), women's ice hockey player for the Calgary Inferno, and Olympic gold medalist in 2010 and 2014
- Jason Jaspers (1981–), professional ice hockey centre for Kölner Haie (DEL)[citation needed]
- Trevor Johansen (1957–), retired ice hockey player for various teams in the NHL[71]
- Greg Johnson (1971–2019), retired NHL centre, notably the Detroit Red Wings[citation needed]
- Ryan Johnson (1976–), ice hockey player, St. Louis Blues (NHL)[citation needed]
- Scott King (1967–), goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL)[72]
- Edgar Laprade (born in Mine Centre, Ontario) (1919–2014) centre for the New York Rangers 1945-1955, winner of Calder Trophy (1945–46) and Lady Byng Trophy (1949–50); played in NHL All-Star Game 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950; member of Hockey Hall of Fame.[73]
- David Latta (1976–), left winger for Quebec Nordiques (NHL)[74]
- Trevor Letowski (1977–), retired right winger, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL);[75] head coach Windsor Spitfires (OHL)[76]
- Danny Lewicki (1931–), retired ice hockey forward[citation needed]
- Pentti Lund (born in Karijoki, Finland) (1925–), retired ice hockey player, began his career with the Port Arthur Bruins[citation needed]
- Norm Maciver (1964–), retired ice hockey player, scored the final goal in Winnipeg Jets history[citation needed]
- Calum MacKay (1927–2001), former ice hockey player, notably of the Montreal Canadiens[citation needed]
- Connie Madigan (1958–1976), retired professional defenceman; oldest rookie in National Hockey League history
- Jimmy McLeod (1937–), retired ice hockey player for the NHL and WHA[77]
- Matt Murray (1994–), goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Fred Page (1915–1997), Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, former president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
- Steve Passmore (1973–), professional ice hockey goaltender for HCJ Milano Vipers, Italian Serie A[citation needed]
- Walt Poddubny (1960–2009), former professional ice hockey left winger[citation needed]
- Chris Porter (1984–), former NHL left winger, currently playing for Providence Bruins[78]
- Sean Pronger (1972–), ice hockey player[79]
- Nelson Pyatt (1953–), retired ice hockey player
- Taylor Pyatt (1981–), retired ice hockey player for the NHL[80]
- Tom Pyatt (1987–), centre for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL)[81]
- Steve Rucchin (1971–), retired NHL centre, notably for Anaheim Ducks (NHL)[82]
- Charlie Sands (1911–?), professional ice hockey right winger[citation needed]
- Frank Sargent (1902–1988), former president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association[50]
- Patrick Sharp (1981–), left wing, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)[83]
- Dave Siciliano (1946–), ice hockey coach for the Thunder Bay Flyers and inductee into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame[84]
- Eric Staal (1984–), centre, Florida Panthers (NHL)[85]
- Jared Staal (1990–), retired NHL player
- Jordan Staal (1988–), centre, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)[citation needed]
- Marc Staal (1987–), defenceman, Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Vern Stenlund (1956–), retired centre left for the Cleveland Barons[86]
- Ralph Stewart (1948–), retired NHL defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks[87]
- Ron Talakoski (1962–2009), retired ice hockey player for the New York Rangers (NHL)[88]
- Mike Tomlak (1965–), retired ice hockey centre[89]
- Vic Venasky (1951–), retired ice hockey player for the Los Angeles Kings (NHL)[90]
- Gary Veneruzzo (1943–), retired NHL player[91]
- Jimmy Ward (1906–1990), former NHL right winger[92]
- Katie Weatherston (1983–), Olympian women's ice hockey player and Olympic gold medallist[citation needed]
- Arnott Whitney (1931–2024), defenceman, Hershey Bears[93]
- Joe Wirkkunen (1928–1986), Finnish-Canadian ice hockey coach[94][95]
Skiing
- Steve Collins (1964–), retired ski jumper, the youngest person ever to have won a Ski jumping World Cup event[citation needed]
- Dave Irwin (1954–), two-time Olympic downhill skier[96]
Wrestling
- Melissa Coates (1971-2021), professional wrestler and fitness model
- Paul Diamond (born Tom Boric) (1961–), retired professional wrestler and soccer player, best known being one half of the tag-team "Badd Company"[97]
- Vampiro (born Ian Richard Hodgkinson) (1967–), professional wrestler[98]
Other
- Richard Xavier Baxter (1821–1904), Jesuit priest, known as ‘the Apostle of the Railway Builders’
- Gordy Ceresino (1957–), retired football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers[citation needed]
- Mary DePiero (1968–), diver[99]
- Keegan Gaunt (2000–), visually-impaired middle-distance runner
- Curt Harnett (1965–), retired Olympic cyclist[100]
- Dan Ladouceur (1973–), retired lacrosse defenceman for the Toronto Rock (NLL)
- Jay Miron (1970–), professional BMX rider, has competed in every X-Games competition since 1995[101]
- Liam Parsons (1977–), retired rower; bronze medallist at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics
- Bryan Rosenfeld (1965–), retired association football player
- Trevor Stewardson (1977–), light heavyweight boxer; competed for Canada at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Miscellaneous
- Barbara Kentner (1982–2017), murdered in 2017
- Viljo Rosvall and Janne Voutilainen, unionists and martyrs; mysteriously disappeared on November 18, 1929
- Ryan Wedding snowboarding Olympian turn druglord was place on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives on March 6, 2025