(22 Jan. 1914-10 Jan. 1996), veterinarian, worker in public causes. (Doc Gamble, Donald Gamble, Don Gamble, Dr Gamble) Born at Cumberland, Ont. Parents: John Gamble and his wife Susannah Cochrane. When he was a child his parents moved to Russell, Ont., where they operated a farm. Donald Gamble graduated from the veterinary school at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, in 1936. Active in hockey, he had been drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in his student days, and Maxville-area people who persuaded him to settle as a veterinarian at Maxville intended him to be a player for the Maxville Millionaires, the well-known Maxville hockey team of that era. He was playing for the team before the end of 1939. He ceased to play hockey when he broke his leg in 1945.

     On 4 Jan. 1940, Dr Gamble opened his veterinary office at Maxville. Besides being a veterinarian and beef inspector, Doc Gamble was actively involved in an amazing number of local institutions, activities and projects, being a tireless worker for the public. He was one of the founders of the Maxville Manor and was the co-chair of its building committee. He was one of the principal founders of the highly-successful Glengarry Highland Games held at Maxville annually since 1948. With Angus H. McDonell, he was one of the founders of the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. Dr Gamble helped re-organize the Glengarry Highland Pipe Band and organize the Glengarry Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association. He also worked for WWII blood donor clinics, the Maxville council, the public school and high school boards, the United Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Kenyon Agricultural Society, and he promoted sports including hockey and curling. He has been named to the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame.

     When he retired from his veterinary practice, Dr Gamble moved to Metcalfe to be near his son. Dr Gamble died in hospital at Almonte, Ont. He is buried St. James’s cemetery, Maxville. He was married on 7 June 1941 to Violet M. Lagroix (1912-2 Jan. 2000) of Maxville. (three children) One of their two sons, Donald (Don) Gamble, Jr, was commissioner of culture and recreation for the City of Ottawa. Don Gamble Jr, born 22 Aug. 1942, died in April 1995, the year before his father. The Don Gamble Community Centre, Ottawa, part of the St. Laurent Complex in that city, is named after him.

Glengarry News 17 Jan.1996 (2 items, portrait) * detailed biog. sketch by Angus H. McDonell for Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame, GN 30 June 1982, with portrait by Douglas A. Fales * Maxville (1991) : autobiog. sketch by Dr Gamble 389-390 and and his lively short sketch 409-410 of the history of the Highland Games at Maxville; other material 600-601 &c. * biog. sketch, portrait, MacPhee 101-103 * gravestone, Maxville Roman Catholic cemetery * death of his widow, Winter GN 5 Jan. 2000 * Don Gamble, Jr : obituary, front page, Ottawa Citizen (ND); Winter GN 3 May 1995; biog. sketch for his induction into Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame, GN 22 July 1998, Vankleek Hill Review 12 Aug. 1998, both portraits * KAS 128-131, portrait * marries, Standard Freeholder 9 June 1941