Hugh Greenwood
March 16, 1939 – April 16, 2019
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the passing of former chuckwagon driver and outrider Hugh Greenwood on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 80 years.
As the son of legendary chuckwagon driver Bill Greenwood, there was little doubt that Hugh would have some active involvement in chuckwagon racing, and in the early 1960’s Hugh started his competitive career as an outrider. He soon developed the reputation as being one of the best stove men on the grounds at a time when the stoves weighed in excess of 40 pounds. As an outrider Hugh was extremely successful, with his most notable wins coming at the Calgary Stampede in 1965 with his father Bill Greenwood, 1973 with Slim Helmle, twice a champion at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and later on in his career he helped Dallas Dorchester win the North American Chuckwagon Championship three consecutive years from 1977 to 1979.
Hugh started driving chuckwagons in 1968 and in his rookie season he drove his father’s Janko Brothers wagon to victory at the Handhills Stampede, and made his debut at the Calgary Stampede later that year driving the Harold Teter outfit from Wainwright. In 1969 while driving the Orville Burkinshaw outfit, Hugh had his most successful single run at the Calgary Stampede when he won day money on night 7, besting his closest competitor by well over a second. 1970 was Hugh’s most successful season as a chuckwagon driver. Driving the Les McLaughlin outfit from Calgary, Hugh placed 16th overall at the Calgary Stampede and 8th overall in the World Standings. Hugh’s last season as a driver was in 1972.
Hugh leaves to mourn his wife Marilyn, daughter Roberta Lang, son Bill (Jane) Greenwood, son Warren (Loretta) Greenwood, and daughter Holly (Wayne) Skocdopole, grandkids Kyle (Shanon) Shingoose, Tyler (Lyndsay) Greenwood, Sean (Taylor Woodford) Greenwood, Paige Greenwood, Kelsey (Calvin Dicker) Greenwood, Jessica (Gerard) Michielson, Shaun Shepard, Cody Shepard, Brooke (Kelly Buhler) Skocdopole, Hope (Adam Ternes) Skocdopole, Luke Skocdopole, and Chase Skocdopole, great grandkids Rhett, Chloe, Carver, and Kayne Shingoose, and brothers Wally Greenwood and Dale Greenwood. Hugh is also survived by his sister in law Susan Greenwood and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Hugh’s life will be held at the Lousana Community Hall on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 2:00. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made to the Trey Purdie Memorial Scholarship. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Innisfail entrusted with arrangements. 403-227-0006. www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.
Hugh will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Greenwood family.
Billy Melville
