Morley Hartel

1952 - 2024

Morley was born in Deloraine, the second of four children for Earl and Verla (Fleming) Hartel. He attended schools in Deloraine before enrolling in the education program at Brandon University. His teaching career began at Austin/McGregor before moving to Virden Junior High.

Sports were an important part of his life beginning in high school as a member of the Deloraine Colts. He continued to play football while at Brandon University. Baseball was the sport he played the longest beginning with the Deloraine Royals. He played senior baseball with the Riverside Canucks, Virden Oilers, and Brandon Cloverleafs.

He represented the province twice, in 1972 at the Canada Junior Baseball Championships in Quebec and again in 1973 at the Canada Summer Games in B.C.

His years in baseball earned him many all-star awards and honours - his most prized being a recipient of the Ab Richardson award and winning the provincial title with the Brandon Cloverleafs. He is also in the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the 1973 Riverside Canucks.

During his many years as a Virden Oiler, he spent countless hours maintaining the original Oilers diamond. He and Perry Kalynuk were instrumental in the installation of new sod to improve the field. It was important that the diamond was in great shape for games and practices.

In addition to playing sports, he was a referee for various sports as well as minor and recreational hockey games.

After retiring from competitive baseball, he became more involved in coaching the baseball/softball and hockey teams Andrew and Erika played on. Many of these teams competed in provincial and regional tournaments. Recreational hockey as a member of the Chalk Hawks occupied the winter months. In later years it was noon hour shinny.

Golf games were mostly non-competitive with the exception of Tamarack matches in the 1980's. He had a par score on June 23, 2021 and on May 7, 2018, his only hole-in-one on the Virden course. After retiring from his teaching career, he became part of the turf care team at Oak Island course for six years.

From a young age, the Chicago Blackhawks were his favourite hockey team. He met Bobby Hull while working at "The Island". He never wavered in believing the Hawks would win the Stanley Cup more than six times. There was usually a friendly wager with PK and then Bob C whenever the Hawks played the Leafs.

Besides playing sports and attending sporting events, he enjoyed time camping at Clear Lake, cruises to Alaska and Eastern Canada/USA, and spending time in Nova Scotia visiting family.

Time spent on the acreage looking after the horses, birds, cats, yard and garden was time he thoroughly enjoyed.

Morley is survived by his wife Nancy of 42 years and their children, Andrew and Erika, his siblings Cheryle, Darren, Shelly and their families, Nancy's brothers, Richard and Michael and their families in Nova Scotia, his 99-year-old mother-in-law Ruth Sandeson and relatives in Deloraine. His son Aaron predeceased him in 2001.

A private family service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Virden Cemetery followed by an informal social time from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at Virden Golf Course Clubhouse where family and friends can gather together to share their memories and stories.

We sincerely thank everyone for the kind words, condolences, and donations in memory of Morley. We miss his sense of humour, quick wit, sound advice, and willingness to help wherever needed.