We could not let go unrecorded the outstanding characteristics of two men who were rendered pillars in their similar yet distinctly different communities. They were sterling role models.

In each case we had to go into the archives for the one exploit on the field of sports that made Ray O'Leary, aged 82, and 86-year-old Albert Victor (Peter) Fox, Sr., unforgettable characters. Neither sought the spotlight but could not escape it because of their long multi-faceted community involvements.

Ray was laid to rest a week ago and Peter three weeks earlier. Both were ex-servicemen, Masonic Brethren, devoted family men with absolutely supportive wives.

Part of the legacy of each was the impact they made in putting their respective clubs on the proverbial map. In the case of Ray, it was the Queen's Club on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Victoria Street in Hamilton. And in St. David's, Peter Fox was one of four men who were instrumental in getting the St. David's County Cricket Club incorporated through parliament.

In separate columns, there are more extensive obituary notes on Ray O'Leary and Peter Fox. Following we focus on those two unforgettable items from the archives mentioned above, first pertaining to Fox at the Eastern Counties final at Duck's Puddle, Bailey's Bay, on August 28, 1953.

The newspaper headline read: ST. DAVID'S WAITED 19 YEARS FOR 1953, followed by a sub-head that stated: East End Team Caused Upset in Final Game for Famed Cup.

The report began: Bailey's Bay Cricket Club, heavily favoured to win the County Cup yesterday in the final match against St. David's C.C. were upset by the team from the East End by 89 runs in one of the biggest reverses of form to be recorded recently.

Bailey's Bay had what was considered an invincible team; because in 14 matches they had played this season they had been able to win all of them.

On the other side of the scale, St. David's in the previous 19 games they had gone down in defeat.

The newspaper continued with a detailed account of the bowling, batting and fall of wickets of each team, revealing how Peter, his team's wicketkeeper, and its fast bowler Clinton Pitcher were the stars of the game, among other things scoring 99 runs in 30 minutes, being a record that is yet to be surpassed.

Continuing, the paper noted that playing a prominent part from the sidelines at the game was none other than "War Baby" Fox, the ambassador of St. David's and proud father of Peter Fox.

Ironically, he was captain of the team that won the Islanders' last County Cup Match 19 years earlier or in 1934, to be exact.

The victory was sensational to say the least.

Legend has it that the winning team and supporters embarked on a round of celebrations that lasted 19 feverish days much to the dismay of their mothers, wives, girlfriends and children.