Dozens evacuated in overnight grass fires in Hobbema


Famed chuckwagon driver dies fighting grass fire

07 May 2013

published by www.calgaryherald.com


Canada — Heart attack suspected in death of Doc Mullaney

Animal owners simply referred to veterinarian Doyle Mullaney as “Doc.”

Chuckwagon racing fans may have recognized his other, more lively, nickname, the “Colourful Irishman.”

For more than 30 years, Mullaney treated animals — including an elephant from a travelling circus. But that was his second career.

His first was chuckwagon racing. That career spanned almost five decades and a continent, as well as several championships, many accolades and regular appearances at the Calgary Stampede.

On Sunday, Mullaney died from an apparent heart attack while fighting a grass fire on his property in Hartell, Alta. He was 68.

Born and raised in Manitoba, Mullaney would follow in his father Pete’s footsteps, who was also a well-known chuckwagon driver.

Doyle cut his teeth as driver and outrider in Cliff Claggett’s legendary chuckwagon show in 1964.

That gig took Mullaney and other up-and-coming drivers across North America. Claggett was renown for allowing his drivers to try new things, even if they weren’t always successful.

“They smashed up a lot of wagons,” said Billy Melville, historian for the World Professional Chuckwagon Association.

Over the next 40 years, Mullaney would win an impressive number of races and awards, and would eventually be recognized as an ambassador for the sport.

In 1971, he won the World Pony Chuckwagon Championship. He went on to post wins at the Meadow Lake Stampede, the Dawson Creek Fall Fair and Rodeo, and twice won the Chuckwagon Championship at Fort Nelson, B.C.

He was the second driver to win the World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s Person of the Year Award.

In 1973, he graduated from a veterinary school in Saskatchewan.

Seven years later, Mullaney opened his veterinary clinic, Big Rock Animal Clinic, on McRae Street in Okotoks. He would operate the clinic until 2010.

But all the while, he continued to race chuckwagons, promote the sport and earn the admiration of fellow riders and fans.

His wagon sported a leprechaun and four leaf clovers — a nod to his Irish heritage.

John Down, a former Calgary Herald rodeo reporter, recalled Mullaney “as always happy-go-lucky — probably the Irish in him coming out all the time.”

“He was a character, one of the old throwbacks,” said Down. “He was one of the sport’s unforgettable characters. If you ever met him. you’d never forget him.”

In 1988, he drove his wagon around McMahon Stadium at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Games in Calgary. He also participated in several Grey Cup and Calgary Stampede parades.

An injury ultimately forced Mullaney to retire in 2005. He would make a brief return to the sport in 2008, filling in for a fellow chuckwagon driver who was sidelined by a heart attack.

In 2005, the World Professional Chuckwagon Association recognized Mullaney with its George Normand Lifetime Builder’s Award.

On Monday, the WPCA acknowledged Mullaney’s accomplishments and contributions to the sport and offered condolences to the Mullaney family.

Doyle Mullaney is survived by his two children, Dallas and Daryle, as well as his brother, Deryle, and father, Pete.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
 


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