Family of Thomas Settee stand by the new sign for the park named in his honour. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

THOMAS SETTEE PARK

P.A. park now bears the name of outstanding veteran and boxer

Jul 15, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The legacy of a Second World War veteran and champion boxer will live on in a field on McDonald Avenue in Prince Albert.

On Saturday, members of City Council and the family of the late Thomas Settee gathered to unveil a monument and officially christen that field as Thomas Settee Park.

Ward 5 Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick gave the opening address while Settee’s children Tim and Liz also spoke about the occasion and the man their father was.

Born in 1914, Settee grew up with a lung disorder but despite that entered the world of boxing, having a successful career in the amateur and professional ranks.

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However, when the Second World War broke out, Settee enlisted to fight for his country. While with the military, he competed in close to 70 fights including three straight appearances in the Canadian Army Championship.

After he was discharged following an injury during the war, he continued boxing on the professional level. Despite a piece of shrapnel in his hip, Settee would win 13 professional fights.

He continued boxing until his retirement in 1948. A boxing gym in Prince Albert’s downtown now bears his name. He was inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

When he wasn’t boxing or fighting in the military, Settee was a barber and was able to carry on conversations with so many people in Prince Albert.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

His son Tim said everyone in the community knew Thomas so to have a park and monument with his name makes sense.

“I find it such an honour to see Dad’s name on a sign that will be there forever. So many people in the city knew Dad and in so many ways,” he said.

“It’s Long overdue, very heartwarming,” said Thomas’ daughter Liz. “It’s a beautiful park very calm and quiet and relaxing.”

The naming of Thomas Settee Park is part of a plan to name parks and greenspaces in the city after different people from the community.

Mayor Greg Dionne, who also spoke at the event, said so far the city has given names to 14 parks and more will be coming later this summer, with parks that honour dedicated politicians from the past, veterans and First Nations figures.

Liz and Tim agree that it’s important to continue to honour veterans from our community.

“They put their life on the line in other countries so Canada doesn’t have to go through that,” said Liz.

“It’s always nice to see our veterans honoured and the sacrifices they gave for our freedom,” added Tim. “They don’t do it for recognition, obviously, but to see their name honoured, it’s huge.”

–With files from The Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow