By Rose S. Prinzi

The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is seeking memories of Inductee Leo Squinn. Memories can be shared by contacting Randy Anderson, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, 15 W. Third Street, Jamestown, NY.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation is the home of the Leo Squinn Memorial Fund. The Fund was created in 1986, as memorials to Leo Squinn began streaming into the Community Foundation. Mr. Squinn was a long time, 43-year employee of MRC, retiring in 1976.

Having an avid interest in sports, Squinn was president of the Jamestown Oldtimers Baseball Association, and a manager of Little League and Babe Ruth teams. He served on the Board of Directors for the Babe Ruth World Series Committee, Board of Directors of the Jamestown Babe Ruth League and the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and into the Jamestown Bowling Council Hall of Fame in 1987.

He was a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, serving as Governor and receiving his Pilgrim Degree in 1981. For many years, he served as State Deputy of Conservation for Western New York. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.Throughout his life, Squinn was active, helping youth through sports, coaching baseball, volleyball and basketball teams for both boys and girls. Besides being active in an instructional capacity for young people, Mr. Squinn enjoyed participating in sports and played baseball, softball, football and bowled all at an All-Star level.

Although he was a quiet person, he stood up for what he believed was right and was willing to step out and take a leadership role in programs and principles he believed in. He had great credibility and exhibited a great love for his family, church and country. He didn't just talk about doing things; he became involved and helped wherever he could. Young people respected him as a coach, and everyone respected him as a leader. He was able to make his mark on society by actively participating in organizations he believed in.

This fund, created in 1986, in memory of Leo Squinn by his family and friends, is designated to continue his work with youth in the Jamestown area. Large contributions made at the time by MRC and the Moose Lodge were instrumental in helping the fund meet its initial minimum of $5,000. The earnings from this fund are used to promote a local athletic program for youth, with the sincere hope that the physical and character-building programs promoted by athletics will guide our young people into becoming responsible adults and this world a better place in which to live.

In 1991, Mr. and Mrs. Squinn's only daughter, Barbara Johnson, died unexpectedly. Her family directed that memorials to Barbara be placed in her father's fund, helping it to grow and making it capable of doing more with sports for the community's young people. In 2003, Mrs. Squinn passed away. Again, memorials were directed to the Leo Squinn Memorial Fund.

Memories of this gentleman should be directed to Randy Anderson at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.   Your contributions to this fund, as to all our funds, are gratefully accepted at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.