Sonia Scurfield, (née Onishenko; September 19, 1928 – June 14, 2018) was a Canadian philanthropist. She was the co-owner of the Calgary Flames hockey team from 1985 to 1994. She became the second woman, and the only Canadian woman, to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup when the Flames won the National Hockey League championship in 1989.[1]

Sonia Scurfield
Scurfield in February 2006
Born
Sonia Onishenko

(1928-09-19)September 19, 1928
DiedJune 14, 2018(2018-06-14) (aged 89)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
NationalityCanadian
EducationUniversity of Saskatchewan
University of Manitoba
Known forco-owner of the Calgary Flames (1985–1994)
SpouseRalph Thomas Scurfield

Early life and education edit

Sonia Scurfield was born on September 19, 1928, to Ukrainian immigrant parents, John Onishenko and Motia (Stupka) Onishenko.[2] She was educated at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts as a lab technician. Afterward, she completed one year at the University of Manitoba where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work.[3]

Career edit

She married Ralph T. Scurfield, on July 24, 1954, in Edmonton, Alberta. Together they raised seven children in Calgary, Alberta. Ralph Scurfield was part of the original consortium that bought the Atlanta Flames in 1980 and moved them to Calgary, and Scurfield inherited his interest upon his death.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ J.d.m. Stewart; Kelvin Tiemstra (May 8, 2012). "Calgary Flames". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  2. ^ "Sonia Scurfield". Calgary Sun. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "University mourns passing of Sonia Scurfield". ucalgary.ca. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Junker, Anna (June 15, 2018). "Former Flames co-owner Sonia Scurfield, only Canadian woman to be on Stanley Cup, dead at 89". National Post. Retrieved March 10, 2020.