Jacob “Jake” Gill Gaudaur Jr. longest serving CFL Commissioner
On my walk in Orillia, Ontario, at St. Andrew’s and St. James’ Cemetery—just behind the grave of music legend Gordon Lightfoot—I discovered the final resting place of another Canadian icon: longtime CFL Commissioner,Jake Gaudaur.
Born in Orillia, Jake was the son of Jake Gaudaur Sr., a Canadian national rowing champion. Like his father, Jake Jr. was also an accomplished rower, but it was football where he left his most lasting mark.
As a player, Jake won the Grey Cup in 1942 with the Toronto RCAF Hurricanes, a wartime team composed of servicemen. He went on to play with Hamilton, where he captured another Grey Cup in 1953, capping off an impressive athletic career.
The Toronto RCAF Hurricanes were formed in 1942 from players in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team lasted only one year, but in that year they won the Grey Cup, defeating the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers 8-5.
In 1968, Gaudaur took on the role that would define his legacy—Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. He served in that position for 16 years, making him the longest-serving commissioner in CFL history.
During his tenure, he:
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Redrafted the CFL Constitution
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Modernized league operations
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Negotiated a record-setting television deal with Carling-O’Keefe Brewery
Jake Gaudaur is remembered as a visionary leader who strengthened the CFL’s identity as a uniquely Canadian institution.
The CFL Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Canada recipient, W.W. II Veteran, Jake Gaudaur Jr., died in Burlington, Ontario on December 4, 2007. He was 87.
1920-2007.
Jake Gaudaur Sr. legendary rowing champion
Jake Gaudaur Sr. & Jake Gaudaur Jr. graves side by side.
Jake Gaudaur Jr. flat marker at foot of monument.
