Biography

Sarnia's spectacular Norm Perry found few equals as a running halfback on the gridiron. For eight years, he gathered experience in the junior and intermediate football ranks, then spent the next eight years with the Sarnia Imperials, leading them to the senior Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU) title seven times and the Grey Cup once. Perry was known as the "Galloping Ghost" of Canada because of his ability to swiftly elude the competition. He captained the Imperials to their superb Grey Cup victory in 1934, defeating Regina 20-12. Already a perennial all-star, Perry earned the additional honour of being named the league's most valuable player that year. Following his retirement from the field in 1935, Perry became an official with the ORFU and was eventually elected president in 1953. While progressing through football's executive ranks, Perry was also busy climbing the ladder at Imperial Oil Limited, rising from a labouring position to the refinery's safety supervisor in his 37 years with the company. An outstanding citizen, and a former alderman, Perry also served a term as mayor of Sarnia. As a tribute to his tremendous football career, a Sarnia stadium and park were named in his honour, while a Norm Perry Trophy is awarded annually to Sarnia's most valuable high school football player. Perry himself received an honoured place in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1963.