Memorial Cup sign stolen from Sault woman, replica donated by local skilled trades worker

Here’s a good news story for Soo Greyhounds fans and for anyone who has been a victim of theft.

Anne Varcoe proudly displayed a Greyhounds sign on the outside of her west end home for 26 years to commemorate the team’s 1993 Memorial Cup victory.

Truly a member of the Greyhounds family, her now deceased husband Fordy was a Greyhounds trainer.

Anne billeted 15 Greyhounds players over the years.

Along with her sister-in-law Marilyn Schmidt, Anne has worked in the team’s press room for over 20 years.

Then, someone stole her treasured Greyhounds sign from her home.

“Someone stole it in the middle of the night about two weeks ago. I felt terrible,” Anne said, speaking to SooToday.

Moved by the sense of loss from the theft, and word of the crime having spread through social media, the Sault’s Ryan McGonegal, CNC Redline & Metal owner/operator, stepped up and made a replica of the original sign, made of steel plate and weighing about six pounds, and presented it to Anne at her home Saturday, Anne surrounded by family and friends.

“A friend of mine shared on Facebook that a lady’s sign had been stolen and I thought I would make somebody’s day. Every time you turn around you see negative stuff and I thought I’d make her day. I just wanted to give this to her,” McGonegal told us. 

“To her, it means something. When I heard the story I wanted to make a good gesture. It’s a comfort to her. You feel kind of violated (if someone has stolen something from you).”

“He (McGonegal) called Friday. It’s beautiful. What a good job, eh?...I was really excited. I couldn’t believe it. It’s beautiful. There are still good people around,” said Anne in praise of McGonegal.