"When I say Battalion, you say go" superfan Bob McIntyre would shout to fans through his bullhorn.
He was a familiar sight at Centennial games and later Battalion games, leading third-period chants and encouraging fans to cheer on the hometown team.
McIntyre was an impressive sight dressed in a Battalion jersey with his name on the back, an army helmet, and bullhorn. Enthusiastic children would follow him around the rink, echoing his cheer.
No matter the score or how good or bad the team happened to be playing, McIntyre was ready to give them a little extra from beyond the boards.
Last summer, when he was hospitalized, Battalion forward Matt Struthers went to the hospital to visit the Battalion super fan.
See the visit here, as Brad Chenier, Luke Moncada, Brandon Coe, and Matthew Struthers visit Bob at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
And also here.
“Before I went home, I had heard that Bob was sick and he’s obviously been a huge fan of the team for a long time now, and so it was easy for me to drop by and see him and check-in," Struthers said last July after the hospital visit.
See related: Struthers created big impact on and off the ice
Former Battalion coach and GM Stan Butler paid tribute. "Sorry to hear about Bobby passing away. He was the most loyal fan any team could ask for."
McIntyre was a graduate of Chippewa Secondary and former employee with the ONTC. He was always seen riding a bicycle around town.
He had been quite ill the past couple of years, spending much time in hospital and missing most of his beloved team's games. They weren't the same without him.
McIntyre was 74. He passed yesterday. Read the obituary here.
John McLellan is a longtime Centennial and Battalion marketing manager. He's known Bob for years.
"I remember him at Trapper games and then with the Centennials, he was a big fan at those games. But I think his greatest impact was as part of the North Bay Battalion, getting the 'seventh man' going at home games. Bob McIntyre was a big fan of the Battalion. It was probably his life, but he helped at our games, particularly the players and the game night experience."
It was almost two years since McIntyre was able to attend games because of sickness.
"I know that during that time many fans would ask us to play the video during the game and we did. It was important for us to do that. In February he came to our game for the last time, because it was what he really wanted to do. His doctor brought him and the fans gave him a nice ovation. He will definitely be missed, for sure."
While McIntyre was hospitalized the players asked if they could go and visit him and they did.
"We played the video of that at our games and it was probably one of the biggest ovations that we got from our fans. You're always looking for positive feedback and we got a ton, and rightly so. He was a fixture at our games, not only Battalion, but hockey in North Bay in general."
