James Alan Proudfoot was born in 1933,[1] in Kearney, Ontario.[2][3][4] His early education was in a two-room schoolhouse in Kearney, with his father James as the teacher.[3]
Journalism career
Proudfoot began his journalism career with the Toronto Star while a student at the University of Toronto in 1952.[5] He went on to work 49 years for the newspaper, and succeeded Milt Dunnell as its sports editor.[2][3] Proudfoot was known to his colleagues by the nickname "Chester".[4][6][7]
Proudfoot had a lifelong love for horse racing, and reported on the Kentucky Derby and the Queen's Plate.[3] He regularly published columns on events at tracks in Canada, including the Fort Erie Race Track, Woodbine Racetrack, Greenwood Raceway and Mohawk Racetrack. He was the namesake of "Proudfoot", a horse trained by John Hayes which earned almost C$100,000 in prize money in Canada.[6] Proudfoot was recognized for reporting on harness racing in 1966 and 1967, with the John Hersey Award from Ohio State University. He was also given the Sovereign Award in 1976, from the Jockey Club of Canada for his story on the disqualification of a 3-to-5 favourite horse to win a race.[6] Proudfoot wrote an investigative report into the death of jockey Dan Beckon in 1988, and received the National Newspaper Award. Proudfoot raised doubt into the ruling of a suicide, after the jockey had failed a third drug test and faced a suspension from racing.[2][3]
Proudfoot remained active as a columnist until a stroke in May 2000.[3]
Personal life
Proudfoot died at age 67 on April 1, 2001, due to natural causes.[3][6] He was survived by his brother Dan Proudfoot, who was a sports journalist for the Toronto Sun and The Globe and Mail.[2][3] Proudfoot was interred beside his father in Fenaghvale Cemetery, in Fenaghvale, Ontario.[1]
Legacy and honours
Fellow journalist Josh Rubin described Proudfoot as a "grumpy" and "snarky" person, and a misanthropist.[8] He reportedly "would bark at editors handling his stories", and "eventually make you feel like crawling under your chair", according to Rubin.[8] He also used his surly persona to solicit charitable donations at Christmas.[8] He was the namesake for the Proudfoot Corner of the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, which helped needy children during the holiday season.[9]