Toby McDonald, N.L. curling legend and Olympic gold medal coach, dies at 75

CBC

26-01-2025

Curling legend Toby McDonald, who won the province's first-ever Brier Championship in 1976, has died at the age of 75.
McDonald's contributions to curling in Canada didn't end there. He coached Team Gushue, leading them to winning an Olympic gold medal in 2006.
A post on the Team Gushue social media page says McDonald played an instrumental role in earning the medal.
"A respected lawyer and true leader, Toby's influence extended far beyond the ice, inspiring us all," said the post.
A mentor to many in the community, McDonald created a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Team Gushue member during the 2006 Olympics and Waterford Valley MHA Jamie Korab says McDonald had an allure around him from the first day he met him.
When Korab was a young curler, his dream was to win Brier and at the time, McDonald's team was the only one in the province to have won it.
"It was like seeing a celebrity on TV for me," said Korab, "And then as years went on, obviously playing against him as a junior and a men's player, I got to know him a lot better."
A leader and icon
In 2005, Team Gushue needed to find a new coach, and the name at the top of their list was Toby McDonald.
"Given not only that he's done it, and went to the Brier in '76 and won," said Korab. "But just his calm demeanour and his experience. And yeah, it obviously worked out."
Korab said McDonald's wisdom has always stuck with him, including a comment he made prior to the Olympics, "That as good as Brad is, if you had a team of four Brad Gushues it probably wouldn't work out."
Korab said McDonald assured him the team needed their four distinct personalities to succeed.
"He kind of put that in perspective that you know, you need every player, you need what they bring to the table," said Korab.
After the Olympics, Korab says McDonald continued in the sport, including playing himself and coaching junior curlers.
"He was such an iconic person at the club. Everyone knew him," said Korab. "He wanted to keep that part of curling going."
For Korab, McDonald was not only a coach, but a lawyer, mentor and friend.
"I'll remember that gentle giant, a real nice guy and a true friend that'll be really missed," said Korab.