Conn, Smythe, 1895-1980

Conn Smythe was a Canadian businessman, soldier and sportsman in ice hockey and horse racing. He is best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of Maple Leaf Gardens.

Smythe was born on February 1, 1895, in Toronto to Albert Smythe, an Irish Protestant from County Antrim who immigrated to Canada in 1889, and Mary Adelaide Constantine, an English woman. He was educated at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto.

Smythe served in the Engineering Department of the City of Toronto, with Canadian National Railways, and also with York Township. In 1920 he started in the contracting business as a partner in the firm of Angottie and Smythe, and a year later formed his own contracting firm specializing in sand and gravel.

During the First World War, he joined the 25th Battery as a Gunner in 1915, was commissioned with the 40th Battery C.F.A. in 1915, and was overseas in 1916- 17. In 1917, he was transferred to the R.A.F., brought down, wounded and captured in the same year and remained a prisoner of war until the termination of hostilities. He was awarded the Military Cross in the Artillery and mentioned in Despatches while in the Flying Corps. In the Second World War, he was appointed Major and O.C. of the 30th Battery, 7th Toronto Regiment, R.C.A. in September 1941, was on Active Service in England and France with the 30th Battery, 6th L.A.A. regiment. Smythe was severely wounded at Caen, France in July of 1944, where he was discharged in 1945 and returned to Canada.

He was honorary Coach for the University of Toronto Hockey Team from 1926-1928. In 1926 he organized the New York Rangers Club, and with associates, he bought the Toronto St. Pats Hockey Club, which he promptly renamed the Maple Leafs. He became their Managing Director in 1928, and assisted in organizing Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. which erected a 14,000 seat arena. He was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the company in 1931, made Managing Director, and then elected President and Managing Director from 1947-1961.

Smythe owned and operated his own breeding and racing stables at Caledon, Ontario. He was a Director and Member of the Executive Committee of the Jockey Club Ltd., formed in 1974.

Smythe served as Treasurer and Director to the Ontario Society for Crippled Children. In 1965 he was made an honorary Member of the Executive Committee of this Society and appointed honorary President. He was re-appointed honorary President again in 1978.

In 1975 he was made honorary Chairman of the fund-raising drive for the Ontario Community Centre for the Deaf and helped raise the necessary funds for the construction of the centre which was opened to the community in March of 1979.

Smythe died at the age of 85 in 1980 at his home on Baby Point in Toronto.