Harley Hotchkiss

This is a web of all the characteristics he has. (I drew this picture.)

I chose to read about Harley Hotchkiss because he is my smart, caring, loving and hard-working grandpa. My book is an autobiography, written by Harley Hotchkiss and Paul Grescoe. There are two hundred and forty-five pages in The Hat Trick. This book covers his entire life from 1927 to 2009 when he wrote the book at the age of 82. My grandfather lived on a tobacco farm in Ontario for most of his childhood. Harley's boyhood hero was Syl Apps, a hockey player on the Toronto Maple Leafs. His parents' names were Morly and Carrie Hotchkiss.

This a portrait of Harley. (I drew this picture.)

Harley was born in Tillsonburg, Ontario on July 10th 1927. Sadly, my grandpa died on June 22, 2011 at the age of 83. He lived on a farm near Tillsonburg throughout his childhood. Harley had five siblings. They were named Jack, Blake, Ralph, Verna and Marion. My grandpa was very smart, and I think he learned by going to school, but also when he lived on the farm. After working for a couple of years out of High school, my grandpa wanted a better life and decided to go to Michigan State University for Geology. He found a job in Calgary in the oil business and moved out west with his new bride. Harley loved to grow plants and spend time in his country garden in Calgary. My grandpa always had a passion for hockey, and when he was not working on the farm or at school, he would play hockey. Harley's dreams were influenced by Syl Apps. I don't think my grandpa knew what he wanted to be when he was older, but I think his boyhood hero ( Syl Apps) encouraged him to be a part of hockey for his entire life.

This is a picture of his book cover. (I drew this picture.)

One of Harley's challenges was his cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. He overcame the cancer and lived ten years without it. He was diagnosed again in 2009 and travelled to many places in the USA and Canada to find treatment but sadly died 2011. Another challenge he had was dealing with the NHL Lockout in 2005. The Lockout was where the hockey players in the NHL wanted more money for playing hockey, but the owners could not give them any more money because they were not making enough. Harley had to face the players spokesman Trevor Linden and have a discussion about the problem. The meeting went well and my grandpa helped bring the NHL back to life! Harley's mom contributed to his success. His mom was a teacher and read a lot. I think that influenced my grandpa into reading more, and my grandpa did read a lot! Reading helped my grandpa become knowledgeable in so many different ways. Three qualities my grandpa had were. 1- Smart- he had a degree in geology from Michigan State University as well as honorary degrees from the University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge 2- Generous- He founded the HBI ( Hotchkiss Brain Institute) and also took our family on trips and gave each of us wonderful gifts. He was very generous with time and money and contributed both to many charities and organizations. 3-Empathetic- He always could understand the other person's point of view, whether it was family or friends. One of the weaknesses my grandpa had, was when he was worrying about something he would not tell anyone, making it easier for the people around him but not for himself. My grandpa received the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Companion of the Order of Canada and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame in the "builder" category.

Something I learned that surprised me was that my Grandpa had always loved hockey. I thought that my Grandpa started to love hockey when he was older. It pleased me that my grandpa always had a hobby they he loved all the way through his life. If my grandpa was still alive I would liked to ask him questions like, "Why did you love hockey?"" What was the hardest part of having cancer?"" What was it like winning the highest award in Canada?" I was extremely lucky to have such a great grandpa but it would have been even more awesome if I was his child because of his goofy character and his kindness. My grandpa is a lot like my dad!! I liked the book, it was more written for adults so it was harder to understand. I learned that my grandpa always followed what he was determined to do. I need to be more determined like Harley. I loved learning more about my grandpa because his book influenced me to persevere. I have always looked up to my grandpa and this book made me proud of what a great person I have in my family.