http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=10db91e7-f919-479b-ab1d-ca...
SURREY - In the midst of a family barbecue at the team's training facility
in Surrey, BC Lions players were informed this afternoon of the death of
president Bob Ackles, who died of a heart attack this morning on Bowen
Island.
Ackles, 69, was on a mini-vacation with his wife, Kay, when he died. The
couple was fond of taking trips on their 40-foot boat, Waterbuoy. Ackles was
the team's first water boy, starting in 1953 at age 15, rising through
successive postings to become the team's general manager. He left for the
National Football League in 1986, but returned to lead a Lions resurgence on
the field and at the box office when he was lured by owner David Braley out
of retirement in 2002.
Bret Anderson, the longest-serving of the current Lions, now in his 12th
season, said players and their families were informed of Ackles' death
during a team and family picnic in Surrey.
"Obviously, it makes it tough on everyone," Anderson said. "Something like
this can pull everybody closer together. We're just going to try and stay
together and get through it together."
