Kaye Vaughan died at 91, but "55" was always his number. It is not a coincidence that Kaye passed away on 02-05 which equates to "55." It was more than a number for Kaye, it symbolized his whole essence and was often used as a reference point for the direction he took his great life in.
With the honour of donning number "55" always came the word "Tough." It was one of his favorite words, and defined Kaye right until the end.
TOUGH growing up in Dust Bowl Kansas in the 1930's. TOUGH navigating a University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes Football Scholarship when he may never see his mother and Concordia childhood friends again. TOUGH decisions to be made whether to go to the NFL Baltimore Colts or CFL Ottawa Roughriders route to his football future. TOUGH for 13 years on the Gridiron with an era of 1950's/60's teammates that were old school "in your face," "Smash Mouth" football players. TOUGH bringing a heavy Mid-West Kansas drawl into a French speaking Quebec region of Knowlton and surrounding Eastern Townships, and yet Kaye made an impactful community life there for over 50 years. TOUGH like no other in his last remaining years battling oral/throat cancer with again "take no prisoners" attitude that never gave up. Number "55" and Kaye Vaughan define TOUGH.
Although his football accolades are many, from the beginning of his toughness to the end, his most proud accomplishment was introducing the "Late Bus System" as assistant director General/Phys Ed teacher for the District of Bedford School Board/Massey Vanier High School. It enabled student athletes from across the Townships to get home without duress to parents or coaches. "Late Night Buses" also were extended to students in music and the arts, theatre, and vocational programs. It supported all the outlying "Tough" kids that had no means to participate because of lack of transportation in order to thrive - a situation close to Kaye's big heart.
The greatest memory one could bestow in Kaye Vaughan's honour, and continue his belief in value of sports through education being available to any student, would be any donations made to "Massey Vanier Athletics" c/o Massey Vanier High School, 224 rue Mercier, Cowansville, Quebec J2K 3R9.
There are not enough words of thanks and gratefulness that go out to CLSC Palliative Care Nurse Emilie Talbot, Au Diapasson Bromont, and Dr. Giannangelo of Knowlton Medical Clinic for keeping peace and comfort on-going for an unbelievably TOUGH number "55" Kaye Vaughan.
A Catholic Religious service for family members and a Celebratory Memorial for "All" will be held in the spring of 2023 (undetermined date).
Kaye was preceded by his mother, Pauline Letourneau-Vaughan (Kirby Vaughan); grandparents, Libby (Morrisette) and PD "Volcano" Letourneau.
Surviving family includes his wife, Lucile Wheeler Vaughan; son, GK Jake Vaughan (Andree Roy); granddaughter, Kim Vaughan (Jefferson Verdolaga), great-grandchildren, Enzo, Theo; granddaughter, Kelsey Vaughan (Charles Etienne Pelletier), great-granddaughter, Elizabeth "Biz"; granddaughter, Amy Vaughan (Guillaume Robillard), "Bertha" Labradoodle; granddaughter, Olivia Blair Girouard; daughter, Myrle Thompson; grandchildren, Tyson Thompson (Sierra Townley), Ben Thompson (Kira Dawydiak).
The following is a list of Kaye's education and accolades:
University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes Football 1953 Gator Bowl in Florida
BA Business/Physical Education
1990 U of Tulsa Sports Hall of Fame
CFL - 6 East All-Star on Offensive Line (4 as Offensive Guard '53, '59, '60, '61), (2 as Offensive Tackle '56, '57)
CFL - 4 East All-Star on Defensive Line (3 as Defensive Tackle '56, '57, '59), (1 as Middle Guard '62)
CFL - SCHENLEY Award for Outstanding Linesman ( 1956, 1957) - Nominated 5 times
CFL - Won 1960 Grey Cup - recovered fumble and returned for touchdown
CFL - one of TSN CFL Top 50 Players of all time
CFL - Canadian Football Hall of Fame 1978
CFL - Member of Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame
CFL - Ottawa Redblacks (Roughriders) Stadium Wall of Fame 2019
Kansas University 1962 Master's in Physical Education and Teaching Degree
McGill University (@ DOB Massey Vanier HS) Master's in Counseling.
