Families of the Caron R. M.

In 1905 distance running was a premier sport in Saskatchewan and none excelled at this sport the way a young man from Caron did. This youth was "Rover" Forsyth who had been born in Ontario but who was making his mark as a track star in Southern Saskatchewan and in Manitoba. Mr. Forsyth's name was synonymous with winning road races. He won the Regina standard 10 mile race in 1910, 1911 and 1912, and also won the Moose Jaw News race three times. He won the Winnipeg Telegram road race in 1910 and 1911. As a result of this latter win "Rover" was selected to travel to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent Canada in the 1912 Olympics. He was sixteenth in the marathon at Stockholm. During World War I Mr. Forsyth competed in numerous allied service meets, including the Inter-allied Games in Paris, as a Canadian representative. Following the War he competed in track and field events in both Canadian and Saskatchewan championships. In addition to his running he won championships in the discus and pole vault. Installed in the Hall of Fame on May 22, 1967.

Rover (above at his daughter Marilyn's wedding) came to Caron from Ontario with his parents when he was 9 years old.. When he was a youngster, he roamed for miles around the countryside, looking for arrowheads and other Indian relics. Thus he acquired the nickname "Rover," and much of the time he preferred to run instead of walk, and eventually began to time himself. He won his first major race in 1909.

In 1926, Rover married Ethel Logan, a former teacher in Nord School, Caron. They were married in Meaford, Ontario, and returned to Caron.

Ethel Forsyth was often called on to give humorous monologues for the Fowl Supper programs. For a number of years she was Superintendent of the Caron Sunday School. Off and on, she was Secretary of the United Church Women. She was an active member of Caron Rebekah Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star, assisted the Arthritis Society in their annual campaign for funds, and was an Elder of the Caron United Church.

Whilst she never competed as an athlete, Ethel Forsyth was a legend in her own right. A woman of great generosity and charm, she had a wonderful sense of humor and adventure. I first met her in the 1970's and we always made a point of going to visit her whenever we were in town. I shared Mrs. Forsyth's love of ice-cream, which she always claimed, "just filled in all the little spaces around the other food." In 1981, while Audrey, Megan and I were in England on a study leave, Ethel and Amy came to visit us and we toured the country. Ethel enjoyed every moment and missed nothing however long and tiring the days were.


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