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Wally Harris Fondly Remembered |
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I was saddened to learn last week of the passing of longtime NHL referee and officiating supervisor Wally Harris at the age of 88. He passed away in Montreal on April 18.
Wally was like a second father to me. He always kept an eye on me, wanted what was best for me, and unfailingly had my back. Of all the senior officiating folks who worked in the NHL from 1983 until he left the supervisory role, he was one that I -- and my officiating brethren -- viewed with complete trust.
Love you Wally. He was THE best after the untimely passing of John McCauley. I can easily say those things because they were true. His sage advice and unwavering encouragement meant a lot to me.
Now he's back with his beloved Dorothy and many others that knew and loved him. I have sent many prayers north for my friend.
In fond memory of Wally, here are two personal stories. One is a humorous recollection, and one is sad but spoke to type of caring person Wally Harris was.
Wally and I were invited to play golf at Sherwood in LA as guests of a famous NHL player the day before a playoff game. On the course that is bordered by many famous folks' homes, there were only five of us playing that day. Wally and me as a twosome. We played through a threesome that we joined later in the men's lounge for drinks while they played cards.
One of the threesome flipped us the TV clicker and invited us to turn on the NHL playoffs.
Mack Davis, James Garner and Jack Nicholson were more than friendly as Wally entertained them with a few of his great stories (Wally told fabulous stories).
The next night, I saw Jack Nicholson on the hallway in front of that spacious Forum locker room -- read: glorified broom closet -- we officials had to dress. I asked Jack Nicholson if he wouldn't mind stepping in the room to say hello to the crew.
In a cadence almost identical to his turn as the Joker in Batman, Nicholson declined.
"Now, why the hell would I want to do that?" he asked.
Wally chuckled heartily when I later relayed the story.
The second story was not so fun. It was December 6, 1987. I was reffing the North Stars vs the Oilers in Edmonton. Wally supervised. The linesmen were two great friends, Mark Pare and Mike Cvik.
On this night, Wayne Gretzky had five goals and a couple of assists. In the third period, I had to disallow an apparent record tying sixth goal.
After the game, Mike drove us all back to the Westin Hotel. He turned on the car radio. The radio announcer started to talk about me screwing Gretzky out of a record-setting night.
Wally snapped off the radio.
"You don't need to listen to that crap," he said.
When we got to the hotel, Wally told me he needed to talk to me. I wasn't sure at first if I was in trouble with the league or something of that nature. Maybe he wanted to warn me. Wally followed me to my room.
"Stew," he said gently, "Your dad passed away tonight."
Wally told me that my father, Bill Stewart Jr., had died while the hockey game was ongoing. My father had been in poor health, but that's news that no one is ever quite ready to hear. Wally respected my dignity and my feelings, waiting until he could tell me privately,
Civy then drove me to the airport to catch the red-eye home to Boston.
I think back on how I got the news and am grateful that Wally was the one to tell me. I can never forget how caring he was: a friend when I needed one the most. He acted in a way befitting of my dad himself. Wally gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He knew my father meant the whole world to me. I needed Wally's kindness and compassion,
Three better men than Wally, Civvy and Chummo, one can scarcely find. Three friends that I can never forget. Hockey brought us together but my gratitude and caring for all three go far byong the confines of the rink.
Years later, Wally and I often exchanged notes via email and Facebook messages. We had planned on some golf in Montreal this summer when I go to Quebec for my few days at Stanstead College where my sons went to school and skated for their Canadian Championship teams.
Wally's passing makes me sad, but his memory will always warm my heart. He was a very great friend, teacher and a supporter of mine. We all need people like Wally Harris in our lives.
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A 2018 inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Paul Stewart holds the distinction of
being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL game.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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