Thomas D. Patton

General Facts

Born: April 15, 1865, in Danville, Estrie Region, Quebec, Canada

Died: April 1, 1944, at the age of 78 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Wife: Bertha Kate L. David Patton (1854-1941)

No Children

Items of Interest

  • Accompanied James Naismith on a train trip from Montreal to Springfield College when he first arrived in 1890.
  • One of the Canadian players to bring basketball to Canada.
  • Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanics Degree during Commencement Ceremonies at Springfield College in 1912
  • Among the 18 Original Team members inducted into the inaugural class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 3, 1959

Important Dates

September 2, 1890: Arrived in Springfield for the first time, accompanied by his future instructor, James Naismith

1892: Graduated from the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College)

1892-1894: Assistant Secretary, YMCA, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1892-1901: General Secretary, YMCA, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1901-1903: Branch Secretary, Central European YMCA

1903-1905: Acting General Secretary, Calcutta, India

1905: International Deputation Secretary, City Associations, China, Korea, and Japan

1905-1910: General Secretary, YMCA, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

1910-1915: General Secretary, YMCA, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1915-1916: Engaged in army work for the soldiers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1916-1920: Army Work Secretary – supervision of work in Manitoba, Canada

1920-1922: National Territorial Secretary, YMCA, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1922-1926: Territorial secretary, National YMCA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1926: Retired from the YMCA

1926-1927: Organizer of The Ontario Prohibition Union, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1927-1932: Executive Secretary, Dixon Hall, Toronto Ontario, Canada

1932-1941: Treasurer of The Christian Social Council of Canada