WARMINGTON: Grapes steps up in time of grief to remember fallen police officers

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Published Sep 22, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Peel Regional Police Det.- Sgt. Bob Hackenbrook (left) and Det.-Const. Paul Kim dropped by to see Don Cherry who -- despite mourning the death of his daughter -- wanted to support their annual Run to Remember (Supplied photo)

Don Cherry has been mourning the unexpected death of his daughter, Cindy.  But when the police called for his help, the coach proved he’s always going to be in their corner.

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“I have always supported the police and I always will,” Grapes said Sunday.

Losing Cindy, his eldest child, on July 15 after an unexpected health crisis, has “devastated” the 90-year-old Canadian legend, who has taken much-needed time to grieve. With the support of his wife, Luba, son, Tim, and his grandson, Del, he’s been doing that quietly in seclusion. 

However, when it comes to helping the police, Cherry drops everything. No matter what.

So while far from healed from the shocking death of Cindy — a force when it came to fundraising for the Rose Cherry Home for cancer patients and the Don Cherry Pet Rescue — Grapes came out of his period of reflection to support an event that pays tribute to fallen officers and their surviving family members.

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Cherry has always felt their pain — this year, perhaps more than ever.

Plus, Grapes also knows the police were not fickle — unlike many of his broadcast industry pals — following his ridiculous Nov. 11, 2019 Remembrance Day removal from Coach’s Corner and Hockey Night in Canada. His cancellation came following an overreaction to comments about a lack of poppy purchases.

Don never forgets sacrifice.

He offered his full backing as police prepare for the 20th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Run, which begins at Queen’s Park on Thursday and ends in Ottawa on Saturday.

“Don Cherry has been a huge supporter of police and the National Peace Officers Memorial Run and was named the honorary chair of the run in 2014,” said Peel Regional Police Det.-Sgt. Bob Hackenbrook.

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Hackenbrook, retired staff-superintendent Rob Shearer and Det.-Const Paul Kim, went over to see him to  get Don’s backing and to offer their support. “Don has been an amazing supporter of the police, ensuring each fallen officer was remembered on Coach’s Corner, bringing international awareness and condolences to families across Canada.” 

This was his first public interaction since Cindy died.

“If I am honest, I am not over it,” Cherry told me Sunday.

But many are trying to help him get there, including his old Coach’s Corner sidekick, Ron MacLean, who recently brought over Tim Hortons coffee. They talked for an hour, which is important since the duo’s very public breakup on a Saturday night in 2019 still hurts Grapes and his fans.

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A death of a child, no matter their age, puts things into perspective.

What has happened this year to Grapes has been far worse than Poppygate. It has been an excruciating time for the beloved Canadian treasure.

The same week Cindy died, Luba’s mother passed away at 97, and his granddaughter, Grace, is in a hospital. His grandson, Del, is going ahead with his wedding despite losing his mother.

Don and Luba also had a flood in their basement and one of the dogs is ill.

“It has been a tough summer,” said Luba.

Peel Police Det. Sgt. Bob Hackenbrook, Don Chery and Newmarket Terry Fox run organizer John Williamson, drop by Grape’s home in support of this year’s Run to Remember for fallen officers — supplied photo

But those police officers dropping by helped give Don a break from his isolation and grief. And gave him a much-needed boost.

“I love the police,” said Cherry.

When officers went over to give him this year’s t-shirt for the Run to Remember, Hackenbrook said they wanted to cheer Don up.

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“Police love and respect him,” said Hackenbrook. “Once we started talking baseball and hockey, he lit up.”

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Could this mean a continuation of the popular Don Cherry Grapevine podcast — something that will have a noticeable hole without Cindy on it.  “I am not too sharp right now, but once hockey season starts, we will try to do the podcast again,” said Cherry.

Police and hockey to the rescue.

Cherry’s son, Tim, also processing the death of his sister who gave him “life” with the donation of one of her kidneys when he was a teenager, said his one-time NHL-coach-of-the-year dad is pressing on. 

Don Cherry and his daughter Cindy Cherry pose with donated teddy bears in one the bedrooms at Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids north of Milton in this 2004 file photo. Photo by Toronto Sun files

Cindy was a remarkable person who reminds one of the late great Rose Cherry, Don’s first wife, who died in 1997 of cancer. Like Rose, Cindy had that Rochester, N.Y., accent and was strong-willed and charitable like her father.

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Protective of her dad and fun to talk to, Cindy left behind a huge legacy.

This is 2023’s Run to Remember to honour fallen Canadian police officers — supplied photo

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Don described this event a “good cause” and added he’s proud to assist. With that in mind, on Thursday at 8 a.m., Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner will be at the Queen’s Park police memorial to remember fallen officers, including Const. Todd Baylis, who was killed in the line of duty in June 1994.  

“A donation to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital is being made in his honour,” said Hackenbrook. “Todd Baylis was a patient as a kid in the hospital and his brother, Cory, wished to support children at Sick Kids.” 

Don Cherry all decked out in Canada’s red and white on Canada Day (150) on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Photo by Craig Robertson /Postmedia Network

The run will also see a stop at the Const. Chris Garrett Memorial in Cobourg “to pay their respects” to the former Peel police officer who transferred Cobourg’s force.

“Chris was killed in the line of duty while preventing his assassin from harming others,” said Hackenbrook. “The runners always stop by to visit Chris’s elderly mother, who lives on the running route.” 

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Then on Saturday, runners — joined by the families, friends, peers, supporters and the Ride to Remember participants travelling from the Ontario Police College in Aylmer — will make their way to Parliament Hill and later to Ottawa police headquarters, and the Canadian Peace Officers Memorial on Parliament Hill.  

This is the Don Cherry wood carving on Hwy.1, at Mortlach, Sask. (Mike Beaudoin photo)

But the first stop for the 20th annual run was to meet with Cherry, Canada’s biggest police supporter, at his house in Mississauga.

“At 90-years-old, Don is a great patriot and continues to support police officers and families of our fallen heroes,” said Hackenbrook. 

In good times, bad times — or the worst times.

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