Vancouver Whitecaps FC are mourning the passing of Dan Stinson, a long-time soccer writer and friend of the club.
Widely considered as the dean of Vancouver soccer writing, Stinson covered the 'Caps as their beat reporter when the club was born in 1974.
"Dan was the first Whitecaps beat writer from the Sun, and spent a lot of time with the team, travelling on the road. He was there from our inaugural year, and saw us through the NASL years, the CSL years, and A-League," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "I'll always remember him being part of our ride in 1979, culminating with the NASL Soccer Bowl."
Stinson also covered the Canadian national team, following the team's qualification for the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
"He was a constant presence, and I always respected him as a journalist," said Lenarduzzi. "He's someone who saw us evolve, including the 86ers era. His mother even kept a scrapbook of all his work. She must have compiled a lot of scrapbooks with 40 years worth of work."
Born in New Westminster and raised in Maple Ridge, Stinson first became a reporter with the Richmond Review in 1970, before making his move to the Victoria Daily Times in 1971. He moved to the Vancouver Sun in 1972, where he enjoyed a lengthy career until his retirement in 2010.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Burnett Fellowship Church, 20639-123 Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC.
Stinson is survived by his father Bob, his sister Sherry and brother Tom, as well as his nephews and niece.
Whitecaps FC wish to offer condolences to the Stinson family at this time.
(Pictured: Stinson in the newsroom in 1977. Credit: Deni Eagland/PNG)
