With a new Milton, Ontario public school named after him opening this fall, Tiger Jeet Singh is out preaching his message: “Stay in school, say no to drugs, stay Tiger-fit.” “That’s the three things I’m saying, I’m preaching all over. I can’t go everywhere, but the demand is so strong we are getting invitations to schools, temples,” the 65-year-old Singh said. By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger! To celebrate the school and other blessings, Singh is teaming with his son, former WWE star Tiger Ali Singh, and Squared Circle Training, to promote an all-day wrestling event, TigerFest 2010, as a part of the Downtown Milton Street Festival on Saturday, June 5th. The community’s top amateur high school grapplers will compete during the day, followed a free pro wrestling show at 5 p.m., featuring Sonjay Dutt, Robbie MacAllister of the Highlanders, Greg Valentine, and Steve Corino. Proceeds will go to the Milton District Hospital Foundation. (More info at tigerjeetsingh.com.) Sidelined by concussion issues in 2001, Tiger Ali, 37, has only competed in a handful of bouts in Japan since. He will be strapping on the boots for a hometown crowd. “We thought, you know what, we have that celebrity, let’s use it for drawing in the people from outside of Milton, from all southern Ontario,” said Tiger Ali Singh. “From what we’ve heard, we have people traveling in, flying in, because this will be the first time I think I’ve fought since the formerly-known SkyDome with WWE in the late ’90s.” If it seems like the Singhs have come out of seclusion, that is because they have. Tiger Ali’s concussion, suffered in Puerto Rico while employed by WWE, was his third in nine months. It resulted in a long struggle back and a lot of resentment — and a lawsuit — against the wrestling company. “Forget about wrestling, I was just trying to get my life back health-wise. It took about three years, and then when I finally did, during that three years, I was just mellowing in sorrow, getting depressed,” Tiger Ali admitted. “I was very, very fortunate to have a loving family, parents, great friends, support group, that during that time of healing health-wise, I also moved on with my life and went back into the family foundation of what business was, which was land development and real estate. “By the time my health came around, I was so engrossed in it, that I really didn’t have any time to look at pro wrestling.” At least in North America. The Singhs attempted to lead a tour of India, that fell apart at the last minute with all the wrestlers already in the country. Protecting the image of Tiger Jeet Singh was important once the backers of the tour bailed, said Tiger Ali. “In India, we couldn’t compromise. That’s why we took the bulls by the horn when some of the promoters left, and Dad held a press conference, we sat with all the proper authorities and we made sure, out of pocket, that we paid each and every talent guarantees, even though the promoters had left. “Reputation is everything, what goes around comes around, we wanted to make sure if were coming back to do events again, that none of the talent would be apprehensive.” In mid-May, the Singhs went to their first fan fest, in New Jersey and were overwhelmed. “We weren’t expecting anybody to want our autographs. The reason? I never wrestled in the States, and Junior, he’d been out of the business for so many years. People forget. But it was unbelievable,” said Tiger Jeet. “The crowd was amazing, and the people, all the old memories, and especially my old, old buddies.” One of those friends was Nikolai Volkoff. “He closed his booth. He was selling pictures,” recalled Tiger Jeet. “He came and gave me a big hug. ‘Tiger, tell me something, is that your second life? Shit, you look so young!’ Then I told him, ‘Human beings never get old. The only reason you get old is if you have some stress or problem. God is great, we are fine and we are happy.’” Giving back has always been important to the Singhs, and TigerFest is their second fundraising effort alongside Troy Newton, who Tiger Ali met more than a decade ago through Owen Hart. Though they were all from Milton, they never kept in touch. Reacquainted at the Milton Walk of Fame ceremony, where Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh were honoured alongside other names such as “Mr. Dressup” Ernie Coombs, astronaut Chris Hadfield and NHL players and referees John Tonelli, Peter McDuffe, Enio Sclisizzi, Mike Kaszycki, Leon Stickle and Bruce Hood, Newton recruited the Singhs to help with his Christmas Toy Drive. “That bug hit us at that time,” said Tiger Ali. “We’ve always been there, dad and I, whenever a charity called.” Always well-dressed, often sporting massive watches and rings, Tiger Jeet is honest about his wealth. “They ask, ‘How much your net worth?’ I say, ‘Enough,’” he said. “I’m living very simple. I like to do a lot of charity work, like helping children. And God is great, he give us his blessing, like I never expected in my life.” RELATED LINKS Greg Oliver can be emailed at goliver@canoemail.com. |
Tiger Wrestle Fest 2010
June 4th, 2010Fundraiser for Jeff Roy and Zach Spalla
April 8th, 2010Two senior Drury students suffering with cancer, Jeff Roy and Zach Spalla, struggling not only with health issues but also with financial concerns, will be heartened to know that their school, classmates and community are standing behind them, very eager to offer help and support. During the week of April 12-16 EC Drury staff and students will participate in a series of daily fundraising activities, in the school and in the community. The proceeds from these efforts will be given to the families of the two students to help defray the onerous treatment costs of this debilitating illness. Check out the Drury website www.ecd.hdsb.ca
The dinner fundraiser is @ Troy’s Best Western from 4 – 9. It’s first come, first served and the menu is as follows:
Join us for a Pasta Dinner.
Have anyone of these iteams and Troy’s will donate 20% of sells to Jeff and Zach’s families:
- Baked Macaroni & Cheese
- Pan Fried Halibut Fillet with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Lobster Linguini
- Chicken Parmesan
- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Homemade Lasagna
Please forward this email to anyone and everyone to attend these events.
Thanks so much for all your hard work!
Melanie & Tom
You’re invited you to Cancer Affects Us All – Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
To register, visit: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDQtVjJOdkxMOVBIR2pYcW96QzhaZVE6MA
INFO
Cancer Affects Us All Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
Proceeds: Jeff Roy and Zach Spalla Families
Date: Thursday April 15
Time: 4pm to 8pm
Fill in this form and RESERVE YOUR SPOT ASAP! 100 spots Total!
Location: E.C. Drury H.S. Library
GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON: 1st place $350 value!
Tournament Buy-in: $20
Side Table after elimination; minimum 5 players: $10 buy-in (prize TBD)
Sponsors: Muck Poker Wear (www.muckpokerwear.com) , Crave Systems (www.cravesystems.com)
More info on all fundraising, visit the EC Drury HS Website
JOHN CHALLINOR II
April 8th, 2010PRESENTATION TO
HALTON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
MARCH 3, 2010
JOHN CHALLINOR II
LOCAL AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, TRUSTEES OF
THE BOARD AND STAFF…
THANK-YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO DISCUSS THE NAMING OF THE LATEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO BE OPENED AT 640 YATES DRIVE IN MILTON… I AM PROPOSING THAT THIS NEW SCHOOL BE NAMED TIGER JEET SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL, FOR THE WORLD RECORD-HOLDING FORMER PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TIGER JEET SINGH… I COULD EASILY SPEND MY ALLOTTED TIME AND PROBABLY THE REMAINDER OF THIS EVENING RECITING TIGER’S LIST OF ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS, WHICH HE EARNED OVER A LONG CAREER IN CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA…
WHILE HIS ATHLETIC PROWESS HAS AFFORDED HIM A HIGH PROFILE AROUND THE WORLD DURING THE LAST FORTY YEARS, IT ONLY TELLS A PART OF TIGER’S LIFE STORY. I BELIEVE IT IS THE OTHER HALF OF HIS LIFE THAT IS PERHAPS MOST RELEVANT TO YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS THIS EVENING OF NAMING A NEW SCHOOL…TIGER JEET SINGH HAS SERVED CANADA AND THE WORLD AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL TRADE AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS WITH A MANDATE TO REACH OUT TO SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES… HE CONTINUES TO SERVE AS THE WORLD-WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMBASSADOR TO MILTON, A COMMUNITY WHERE HE MAKES HIS HOME AND HAS LIVED ALMOST HALF HIS LIFE. IN 2007, TIGER WAS HONOURED BY THE TOWN OF MILTON AS ONE OF THE FIRST INDUCTEES INTO ITS WALK OF FAME…
HE IS ARGUABLY THE MOST REVERED MEMBER OF CANADA’S SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO EITHER RECEIVES VISITORS AT HIS HOME WHO ARE SEEKING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OR IS REQUESTED TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PROVIDE SAME…
HE IS A DISTINGUISHED AND REGULAR GUEST AT COMMUNITY, RELIGIOUS AND ATHLETIC EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OFTEN HOSTING PRIME MINISTERS, PREMIERS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES. OVER THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, TIGER HAS BECOME THE WISE, OLD UNCLE OF CANADA’S INDIAN COMMUNITY… ON A SPIRITUAL LEVEL, HE IS THE FIRST AND ONLY CHIEF PATRON OF THE PUNJABI SAHIT SABBA OF ONTARIO – AN ORGANIZATION THAT FACILITATES EDUCATION, CULTURE, SOCIETAL VALUE AND GENERATION PROMOTION OF SIKHISM – A VOLUNTARY ROLE HE HAS PERFORMED SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1976… ON A COMMUNITY LEVEL, HE IS A ROLE MODEL FOR HUMANITY AROUND THE WORLD, A HUMBLE MAN FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WHO WORKED HARD, ACHIEVED SUCCESS AND NOW ADVOCATES TO THOUSANDS OF PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS, THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN SCHOOL AND THE NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT…
IN A WORLD WHERE SOME OF OUR LEADERS AND TOP PERFORMERS HAVE SAID ONE THING ABOUT THEIR LIVES WHILE DOING SOMETHING ELSE ALTOGETHER, THIS TIGER IS THE GENUINE ARTICLE – A MAN WHO WALKS THE TALK…
HAPPILY MARRIED TO SUKHJIT FOR FORTY YEARS, THEY HAVE RAISED A FAMILY OF THREE BOYS WHO HAVE EACH GONE ON TO ENJOY SUCCESSFUL CAREERS OF THEIR OWN. TIGER HAS NEVER USED DRUGS TO ENHANCE HIS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE. HE HAS NEVER ABUSED DRUGS OR ALCOHOL IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE. HE HAS NEVER BEEN ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW. AND, ON THAT LAST POINT, HE BETTER NOT – ONE OF HIS SONS IS A MEMBER OF HALTON REGIONAL POLICE FORCE…
PHILANTHROPICALLY, HE HAS GIVEN – AND CONTINUES TO GIVE — HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HIS FORMER HOMELAND AND HIS NEW HOMELAND, MONIES EARMARKED FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE, HOSPITALS, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE…
HE IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING BECOMING THE VOICE OF CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES TO CANADA’S SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY…AND, HE AND ONE OF HIS SONS, ALSO A WORLD RECORD-HOLDING PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER AND A MEMBER OF MILTON’S WALK OF FAME, ARE PLANNING AN ANNUAL GOODWILL TOUR IN INDIA TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDING FOR LOCAL CHARITIES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS WHILE CONTINUING TO CARRY TIGER’S MESSAGE ABOUT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, EDUCATION AND FITNESS…
NAMING THE NEW SCHOOL FOR TIGER JEET SINGH WOULD AFFORD STUDENTS AND STAFF AT THAT INSTITUTION REGULAR ACCESS TO SOMEONE THEY COULD RELATE TO AND WHO COULD MENTOR THEM THE WAY HE DOES TO THOUSANDS OF OTHERS… JUST AS RESPECTED FORMER EDUCATOR ED FOSTER ADVISED THE STUDENTS AND STAFF AT E.W. FOSTER PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE 1970S AND 1980S AND ASTRONAUT CHRIS HADFIELD REGULARLY DELIGHTS ALL WHO ATTEND CHRIS HADFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL TODAY, TIGER JEET SINGH HAS THE BACKGROUND, ABILITY AND PASSION TO BE MORE THAN JUST A NAME ON THE SIDE OF A NEW SCHOOL… NAMING MILTON’S NEWEST SCHOOL FOR TIGER JEET SINGH WILL BRING THAT SCHOOL’S IDENTITY TO LIFE FOR AS LONG AS TIGER IS PHYSICALLY ABLE AND WILLING TO MENTOR THEM – AND HIS INVOLVEMENT MAY ALSO HELP THE BOARD TO DEVELOP THE NEXT-GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY…
THANK-YOU…
Tiger Jeet Singh
Philanthropic Activities:
• Donation to community of Ludhiana, India (1990) (money used to build water and sewer infrastructure)
• Donation committed to Milton District Hospital Foundation (2006)
• Money raised through his leadership with Kopz4Kids (monies were shared between Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington and Halton Healthcare facilities in Georgetown, Milton and Oakville) (2008)
• Money raised through his leadership with Troy’s Diner Toy Drive (2009) (toys went to local Salvation Army and Sick Childrens Hospital in Toronto )
• Donation to Milton Historical Society to publish local book of history, Milton Streets (2008)
• Annual pilgrimage to India to donate money, including the following:
o Five buses purchased for various Sikh temples in Punjab, India, so that poor had transportation to worship (2009)
o Land purchased for college campus in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, so students could study locally as most couldn’t afford transportation to study out-of-town (2009)
o Donated monies for clothing and other items to unspecified villages (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Lord Athol Layton for Shriners Foundation (late 1970s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Whipper Billy Watson to help expand Newmarket Hospital and raise visibility for plight of handicapped children (early 1970s)
• Anonymous large annual donor to numerous local charities (ongoing)
Pending Philanthropic Activities:
• Annual Tiger Goodwill Tour to major cities through India to raise philanthropic awareness and provide funding for local charities, schools, hospitals, children’s’ hospitals, etc. (planned for 2010)
Humanitarian Activities:
• Non-governmental ambassador (trade) to United Nations with a mandate to reach out to South-East Asian countries (2000 – 2001)
• World-wide Economic Development Ambassador to Milton, Ontario (1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Drug, alcohol, education and physical fitness (Tiger-fit) awareness advocate in Canada, Japan, South-east Asia, addressing thousands of parents and students (1990s, 2000s)
• Chief Patron, Punjabi Sahit Sabha of Ontario (organization facilitates education, culture, societal value and general promotion of Sikhism) (since 1976)
• Recognized leader in Canadian South-East Asian community that members from across the country come to when in need of guidance and support (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at major South-East Asian community religious, community, athletic events (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at Canada Kabaddi Cup (typically alongside Prime Minister of Canada) (ongoing)
Pending Humanitarian Activities:
• Red Cross of Canada/Canadian Blood Services Official Spokesman to South East-Asian community regarding importance of blood donations
• Annual Tiger Goodwill Tour to major cities through India to raise plight of local charities, schools, hospitals, childrens’ hospitals, etc. and help to break down lack of empathy between social classes (planned for 2010)
Slam Wrestling, Tiger Jeet Singh Public School
March 5th, 2010| School named after Tiger Jeet Singh
By GREG OLIVER – Producer, SLAM! Wrestling |
| |
The honours keep rolling in for Tiger Jeet Singh. On Thursday, it was announced that Tiger Jeet Singh Public School will open in Milton, Ontario in September.
“It’s very big news, and a big honour for the family,” Tiger Jeet Singh told SLAM! Wrestling.
The city of Milton, about 30 minutes west of Toronto, inducted Singh and his son Tiger Ali Singh into its Milton Hall of Fame in 2007.
The new Milton elementary school, which is almost completed at 640 Yates Drive, will host junior kindergarten to Grade 8.
Four names were considered for the school: Tiger Jeet Singh Public School, Coates Crossing Public School, Robert McCaw Public School, and John Deacon Public School.
The school board meeting was tough to sit through, said Tiger Ali Singh. “It was excruciating. We were there at the board, but unbeknownst to us, we didn’t know it was going to be a unanimous,” he said, adding that the announcement was “very emotional.”
Milton author and historian John Challinor II made the presentation to the board, and stressed that the honour should be made based on Tiger Jeet Singh’s philanthropy and humanitarian works.
“Naming the new school for Tiger Jeet Singh would afford students and staff at that institution regular access to someone they could relate to and who could mentor them the way he does to thousands of others,” Challinor said.
Singh is not the first professional wrestler in Canada to have a school named after him, however. That honour first went to Whipper Billy Watson. In 1993, the York Region District School Board named W.J. Watson Public School in Keswick, Ontario, after him for all his charitable works.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Area Trustee Donna Danielli addressed the decision, which has been met with some controversy given the violent nature of professional wrestling.
“He definitely makes a difference in the community and I believe that he will be a very positive role model and mentor at that school — he plans to be very involved,” Danielli said.
Tiger Ali Singh said the family was going to take it a step further than just being involved with the school. “Now I’ve got to get all my kids going to that school!” he laughed.
Greg Oliver has been writing about pro wrestling since 1985. His fifth book, SLAM! Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle has just been released. The four previous books are Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (with Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy and Irv Muchnick); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (with Steven Johnson); The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams (also with Johnson) and The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians. Order them all from the SLAM! Wrestling Store. He can be emailed at goliver@canoemail.com.
Troy’s Toy Drive on Breakfast Television
January 25th, 2010Troy’s Diner on BT
Comments on this story are moderated
Tigers Jeet’s Gesture To Sick Kids Hospital
January 25th, 2010
THE WEEKLY VOICE,
SATURDAY, JANUARY 09, 2010 A – 15
COMMUNITY NEWS
Milton: Wrestling Legend Tiger Jeet Singh and his son, former WWE Superstar Tiger Ali Singh really drove home the notion that Christmas is about far more than Santa Claus, shopping and eating. Using his influence around town, Tiger Jeet Singh was able to rally the troops for Troy’s Toy Drive, run by Troy Newton. Singh, Sikh, was able to get the posters for the event up in area Muslim Mosques and Sikh Gurdwaras, helping spur on the giving regardless of faith. His son, Tiger Ali Singh, displayed that with his get-up – a Santa suit, wrestling belt and his turban. It was East meets West, he said. “People of all faiths can come together for children in need,” said Tiger Ali Singh. The celebration at Troy’s Diner located in the Best Western Milton Inn was broadcast live on City TV (Canadian network) by Breakfast Television. The Singhs along with the most famous hockey dad in Canada Walter Gretzky (father of Wayne Gretzky) were in high demand for their pictures and autographs by the fans in attendance. The toy drive was very successful because of the donations made by local Miltonians and area residents that over $30,000 in toys and money were raised. Some of the extra money was used to buy food for a food bank. The toys went to the Salvation Army, with a portion going to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto — at the insistence of the Singhs. “This opportunity to give back truly means the world for our family,” said Tiger Ali. “Less than five years ago my nephew was a patient at Sick Kids when he was diagnosed with leukemia. With God’s grace and the helpful staff at the hospital he survived after he received a bone marrow transplant.” Along with Troy Newton and Honourable Harinder S. Takhar Minister of Government Services, the Tigers delivered toys to the patients at the hospital. The father son team hosted a meet and greet with the children where they signed autographs and had their pictures taken with their championship belt.
Letter to the editor: Canadian Champion, Tiger Jeet Jr Singh
January 25th, 2010Toy drive a big success
Letters
Jan 13, 2010
DEAR EDITOR:
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all my fellow Miltonians and area residents neighbouring our beautiful community for their generosity in making Troy’s (Diner) Toy Drive an overwhelming success.
It was due to their donations and the assistance of sponsors that the toy drive was able to take in more than $30,000 worth of toys.
The entire atmosphere during the campaign wrap-up was truly special. For those who were in attendance, they know exactly what I mean. It was such a magical feeling and the true spirit of the season could be felt throughout the entire building.
Because there were so many toys donated, it allowed us the chance to make a donation delivery to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children in addition to the local Salvation Army.
My father and I were so honoured to be given the opportunity to visit some of the patients, and I was amused by how excited the children were to have their pictures taken with our championship belt. However, it was the children that were the true champs in our eyes.
In closing, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to my dear friend Troy Newton for allowing both my father and me the opportunity to participate in such a noble cause. There’s nothing more gratifying than bringing a smile to a child’s face.
Here’s wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful 2010.
TIGER JEET SINGH JR., MILTON
Welcome to Troy’s Diner!
January 23rd, 2010There’s nothin’ finer than eatin’ at Troy’s Diner!
Troy’s Diner is a 1950’s Coca-Cola inspired diner decorated in a retro, vintage style with a plethora of various Coca-Cola merchandise. Troy’s Diner is a reasonably-priced, family restaurant with a fun, lively atmosphere that serves breakfast all-day, every day. Owner Troy Newton also participates in many of Milton’s major events over the course of the year, donating many dollars to local charities or causes, such as the Milton District Hospital.
Troy Fest is an annual event organized by Troy’s Diner which occurs every October with activities such as: horse and buggy rides, pumpkin carving, Halloween candy sales, face-painting, penny raffles and Troy’s drag car with all proceeds going to Milton District Hospital. The inaugural Troy Fest was held in 2006.