The man who ushered the Belleville Bulls into the Ontario Hockey League, Dr. Robert Vaughan passed away earlier today.
The man who was known simply as “Doc” died following a lengthy illness. He was 81.
Dr. Vaughan and partner Bob Dolan purchased the fledgling franchise a few months after it joined the former Provincial Junior |”A” Hockey League in 1979. The duo would then bring the Bulls into the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1981. Dolan would sell his ownership stake in the team to hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky following the 1982-83 season. Dr. Vaughan assumed full ownership two years later, a position he held until 2004 when he sold to a group led by Gord Simmonds.
Dr. Vaughan served as Chairman of the Board of the Ontario Hockey League for a decade.
In 1992 he received the commemorative medal for the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation for having made a significant contribution to his community and his fellow Canadians.
In 1993 “Doc” was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame which is now housed in the “Dr. R.L. Vaughan Atrium at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre.
In 1993 Vaughan received the“Bill Long” Award by the Ontario Hockey League: “In Recognition And Appreciation For Outstanding Contributions And Dedication To The Development Of Junior Hockey”.
Dr. Vaughan is survived by his wife Lois, children Tari-Lee Hayes, Lisa Shunock, Bradley and Tania Vaughan Maron as well as 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
Further details to follow.
