Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh found themselves in some unique company recently, honoured in their hometown of Milton, Ontario on its Walk of Fame, along with an astronaut, an actor, some hockey players, politicians, artists, the man who invented the Robertson screwdriver … and Mr. Dressup.
It was a mark-out moment for Tiger Ali, just being associated with the late Ernie Coombs, who was Mr. Dressup on CBC from 1967 to 1996. “I totally flipped for that,” admitted the former WWF and Japanese star.
The Milton Walk of Fame was actually named in 2007 and was unveiled on October 29, 2009. Both Singhs were on hand for the event. Administered by the Milton Historical Society, the Walk of Fame honours Miltonians past and present who have earned significant national and/or international recognition through their enduring achievements.
Needless to say, the father and son duo of Tiger Jeet and Tiger Ali Singh are known internationally, perhaps even more than they are at home.
The evening was memorable, if busy, said Tiger Ali. He missed out on actually seeing his star.
“It was so crazy that night, I didn’t even get to see the damn thing — but I saw a picture. So I have to go back to see it,” he said. “The event itself was jam-packed.”
The town of Milton, about 30 minutes west of Toronto down the 401, is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada, and one of the rare areas around the Greater Toronto Area with significant growth space still remaining. The Walk of Fame links the original town hall, built in 1855, with the just-completed new town hall.
“It was really an endearing opportunity and heart-felt,” said Tiger Ali. “I guess you can do that so much more in a small town because you can see that mushrooming to be huge. They just don’t want to lose their history.”
In retrospect, it seems wise that Tiger Jeet Singh settled his family in a small town with tremendous growth potential.
“We’re very appreciative of how the folks came and stayed in a small town. When we originally came here, it was not even 25,000 people. … So the population is close to 95,000 now. It’s still peanuts compared to Toronto, but it’s catching up,” explained Tiger Ali, who works on the family’s real estate and land development ventures.
Purposefully mum on any future wrestling plans, Tiger Ali did tease that the family might once again seek to promote internationally, as they did a few years back in India.
“It was like a coming-out party — the Tigers are back,” he said.
THE MILTON WALK OF FAME
Peter Appleyard – vibraphonist
Harry Gregory Barnes – triathlete
Lieutenant-Colonel G. Allan Burton – executive in Robert Simpson Company
Albert Casson – wildlife artist
Ernest Coombs – “Mr. Dressup”
Colonel Frederick Herbert Deacon – founder F.H. Deacon & Company brokerage firm
Susan Delacourt – political journalist
Jim Dills – newspaper executive
David James Elliott – actor (JAG)
Colonel Chris A. Hadfield – astronaut
Bruce Hood – NHL referee
Mike Kaszycki – NHL player
Betty Kennedy – television journalist, Canadian Senator
Darlene Kranstz – jiu-jitsu world champion
Robert W. Kranstz – jiu-jitsu world champion
Douglas Leiterman – television producer
Dr. Wallace McCutcheon – doctor, founded Blue Cross
Peter McDuffe – NHL player
Peter Lymburner Robertson – P.L. Robertson Company Limited, created Robertson screwdriver
Enio Sclisizzi – NHL player
Tiger Ali Singh – pro wrestler
Tiger Jeet Singh – pro wrestler
James W. Snow – politician
Bertram G.H. Stewart – cattle showman and judges
Leon Evan Stickle – NHL referee
John Tonelli – NHL player
Ed Whitlock – marathoner
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