Joe Iannarelli has been around nearly as long as the town where he made a name for himself.

But the former Esquimalt Sports Centre manager looks and acts two decades younger than his 90 years, gingerly walking alongside his second home, now known as the Archie Browning Sports Centre.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of memories here,B次元官网网址� he said.

Iannarelli will be inducted into the on Oct. 27, an honour that recognizes his contributions as a community organizer for Esquimalt and Vancouver Island.

The Timmins, Ont., native fell in love with the West Coast after playing a half-season with the old Vancouver Canucks in 1949, part of a four-season stint in minor pro hockey.

But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until 1961 that Iannarelli found his way back through a job posting in the Toronto Star sports section.

B次元官网网址淭here was an ad for an arena manager job in Esquimalt, B.C. So I said to my brother, B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 know where the hell it is, but if itB次元官网网址檚 not near a big city, IB次元官网网址檓 not going.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Iannarelli became the first manager of the sports centre B次元官网网址� the first multi-purpose facility of its kind on Vancouver Island B次元官网网址� and spent 20 years at the helm. His commitment spawned hugely successful hockey, lacrosse and curling leagues, as well as a summer hockey school that grew to 600 annual participants from across Canada.

To take advantage of the empty hockey rink during the summer months, Iannarelli created a roller skating night that attracted upwards of 700 patrons each week.

B次元官网网址淛oe built it into the probably the best community arena in Canada,B次元官网网址� said long-time friend and physician Dan Buie.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a hockey guy and I love hockey,B次元官网网址� Iannarelli said, recalling the glory days when the sports centre sold out Friday night double-headers featuring teams from the Canadian army, navy, University of Victoria and one commercial franchise.

B次元官网网址淵ou couldnB次元官网网址檛 get a person in or out on a Friday night with Vaseline,B次元官网网址� Buie said. B次元官网网址淛oe started a commercial hockey league that was the rival of any league in Canada.B次元官网网址�

During the Second World War, Iannarelli worked as a physical training instructor for the Canadian Forces at various bases between Ontario and Nova Scotia.

After the war, he spent four years playing on National Hockey League farm teams, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Detroit Red Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk and others.

B次元官网网址淲hen I attended Detroit training camp in 1946, my bunkmate was a guy named Gordie Howe B次元官网网址� he was 18 years old,B次元官网网址� Iannarelli said.

The two lived in the hockey arena in Omaha, Neb., scraping the ice between periods for $5 a day. They remain good friends.

But itB次元官网网址檚 the many local friendships Iannarelli and wife, Jean, forged over the years that make him most proud.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the reasons why I took the job was I liked the people that were interviewing me. I was impressed with them and the community,B次元官网网址� he said.

On Aug. 18, the Esquimalt community threw Iannarelli a 90th birthday party at the sports centreB次元官网网址檚 curling rink, a small token of appreciation for a B次元官网网址渧ery classy gentleman,B次元官网网址� Buie said.

When asked what advice he would impart to his two B次元官网网址� soon to be three B次元官网网址� great-grandchildren, Iannarelli reflected on the guiding principle of his storied career.

B次元官网网址淒o what you love,B次元官网网址� he said.

dpalmer@vicnews.com