Terry Fox Elementary Honours Late Local Hero Eddy Nolan
by Marilyn Santucci
The Lester B. community is paying tribute to one of its most beloved figures, Eddy Nolan, by renaming the school gym at Terry Fox Elementary in his honour.
Now known as Eddy’s Gym, the space serves as a lasting reminder of a man whose life was defined by strength, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Eddy Nolan, who passed away last year after a courageous battle with cancer, was deeply inspired by Canadian icon Terry Fox. Following in Fox’s footsteps, Eddy dedicated much of his life to raising funds and awareness for cancer research. His selfless efforts and determination left a lasting impact on everyone around him — from students to staff, and members of the wider community.
The renaming of the gym ensures that Eddy’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, just as he inspired so many during his lifetime.
The ceremony was attended by many of Eddy’s loved ones, including his wife Mary, his daughter, close family, and friends. Students filled the newly renamed gym and watched a heartfelt video tribute to Eddy. To conclude the event, Mary cut a ribbon, marking the official opening of the gym and a new chapter in its story. Afterwards, the crowd took to the streets, running with Eddy and Terry in their hearts and minds.
“As educators, everything we do teaches a child something. We couldn’t ask for a more powerful lesson than the example of Eddy Nolan and the man who inspired him, Terry Fox. Like Terry Fox, Eddy Nolan was ordinary kid who struggled in school, but knew he wanted to do something important with his life. Eddy ran for years and years raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research. He wasn’t rich. He didn’t have a big, fancy job. He didn’t have any special gifts or talents, (except maybe telling a good story). He simply believed in himself and believed in the importance of what he was doing. Even as a sometimes cranky 60-year-old, his lifelong role model never stopped being Terry Fox. Like Terry, Eddy loved kids. He loved being with kids. He loved inspiring kids to be the best they possibly could be. The school has Terry’s name, and now our gym is going to have Eddy’s,” says Douglas Stewart, Principal at Terry Fox Elementary.
