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In Celebration of
Paul Francis Poce
September 19, 1924 –
May 22, 2023
Poce, Paul Francis
Passed away at Trillium Health Partners Credit Valley Hospital on May 22, 2023, in his 99th year. Beloved husband of Edith Lorraine (nee Watt) for 43 years but friends for 50 years. He was the son of Francesco and Catherina Poce. A cherished brother of Mary Prior, Annette Wall, brother-in-law of May Poce, Elsie Biegler, Lynda Watt Wellman, and a brother of the late Elmo, Angelo, Ben & Frank. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews in Canada, the USA, and his fur baby – Margherita.
As a young teenager, he began working after-school weekends at local stores in little Italy and worked summers on farms in Niagara. After graduating from high school he worked at the Inglis Plant making Bren guns until he entered the war.
In 1943 he began his service as a WAG (wireless, air gunner, navigator) Flying Officer. He flew Convoy Duty in Nova Scotia (11 BR) and then relocated to Tofino in BC in early ‘45. Although he boxed for a couple of years after High School he changed to running in the RCAF. He won many races and competed with the Army and Navy runners in Vancouver before the war ended.
Afterward, he worked for GE on DEW line, then Charles Tennant, John Gordon, and Sons and Penmans.
He also worked under Lloyd Percival & his Sports College. He and 2 others founded the Toronto Olympic Club in 1954. He coached all the distance events and other track disciplines.
In the 70’s he was made National Distance Coordinator. He was the Director of many Races in Toronto i.e. Labatt’s Marathon, Pru at the Zoo, Silver Relays, and the Club helped at every race held locally. The Club supported and helped the Legion meets every year & recently was a member of RCL Branch 82.
He was named to many Olympic Teams from 1972 to 1992. Also Commonwealth, Pan American, World Cup, Cross Country, and Ekiden Relays.
He was elected to several Halls of Fame including Canadian Olympic, Athletics Ontario, and Athletics Canada, served as Meet Director for the Toronto Star Indoor Games, Toronto Sun Indoor Games and Race Director for many area races, and Head Coach of TOC for 69 years and he ran for 65 years. Athletics was his life and he hoped to help everyone attain their goals even just by a few seconds.
He loved jazz music but also classical and loved to read books from an early age having a great interest in History and could remember World events and dates. He knew hundreds of his runners’ phone numbers (before cell phones) and Athletes’ times by memory even coaching these last few weeks by computer. He never wanted to retire.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” – Nelson Mandela
Friends may call at the Turner and Porter Neweduk- Erin Mills Chapel, 1981 Dundas Street West, Mississauga on Thursday, June 1st from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Service of Remembrance will be held in the Chapel on Friday, June 2nd at 3 p.m. after a visitation from 2-3 p.m. A larger celebration of Paul’s life will be held later this summer. For those who wish, donations in Paul’s memory can be made to the Toronto Star’s Fresh Air Fund or Santa Claus Fund. He benefited from both of these funds as a child.
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September 19 1924
May 22 2023
turner & porter funeral directors
Death notice for the town of: Mississauga, Province: Ontario
death notice Paul Francis Poce September 19 1924
May 22 2023
obituaries notice Paul Francis Poce September 19 1924
May 22 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Paul Francis Poce September 19 1924
May 22 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Our deepest condolences go out to Paul’s entire family. He was a kind soul who always wanted to help others in achieving their goals. He gave much and expected very little in return. He always saw the best in people and aimed to bring out the excellence in all of us. He also had the unique talent of bringing joy into every situation. He led by example and encouraged not only athletes but also a generation of coaches who took up this pursuit largely due to Paul’s positive influence. He will be missed by all those he mentored, coached, befriended and loved.
What a wonderful life Paul lived. Great coach and just a fascinating man to chat with, as we often did at High Park when TOC and Track West shared a dressing room.
My condolences to Lorraine and the rest of Paul’s family. The Canadian track and field community has lost a legend with Paul’s passing. He has been my dear friend and coach since I joined Toronto Olympic Club over 40 years ago. He was coaching me right up to the end. I have no doubt that he is already organizing an interval workout for the angels’ track team in heaven. RIP, Paul. You will be missed by so many people whose lives you’ve touched.