List of people from Windsor, Ontario

This is a list of people from Windsor, Ontario. This list includes people from the Windsor-Essex County area (Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Leamington, Tecumseh, and Windsor).

A

• Fouad Abiad (born 1978), bodybuilder
• Meghan Agosta (born 1987), Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) player and Olympic medalist
• Ian Allison (1909–1990), Olympic silver medalist in basketball (1936)
• Glen Angus (1970–2007), Canadian artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games and video games
• Albert Anstey (born 1966), former darts player
• Oshiomogho Atogwe (born 1981), former NFL player, analyst on TSN

B

• Steve Bacic, actor, raised in Windsor
• Ahmad Bateman (born 1961), former professional golfer
• Iain Baxter& (born 1936), OC, Governor General Award-winning visual artist, forerunner of Canadian conceptual art
• Matt Beleskey (born 1988), NHL player
• Michael Dougall Bell (1943–2017), Canada's Ambassador to Jordan (1987–90)
• Brett Bellemore (born 1988), former NHL player
• Dave Beneteau (born 1967), former UFC fighter and wrestler
• Douglas G. Bergeron (born 1960), CEO, investor, philanthropist
• Reno Bertoia (1935–2011), former MLB baseball player
• Alan Bernard (1934–2011), Emmy award winning sound engineer
• Hank Biasatti (1922–1996), former MLB baseball player and National Basketball Association basketball player
• James Bondy (born 1965), entertainer, star of the children's show Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld
• Bob Boughner (born 1971), former NHL player and former head coach of the San Jose Sharks. Also part-owner of Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires
• Pat Boutette (born 1952), former NHL player
• Bill Brady (born 1932), CM, journalist
• Trish Brown (born 1963), national education advocate, first openly lesbian school board president in the State of Michigan
• Mike Brkovich (born 1958), former NBA player, businessman
• Brian Bulcke (born 1987), former CFL player
• Seth Bullock (1849–1919), merchant and U.S. Marshal famous for tenure in Deadwood, SD
• Ted Bulley (born 1955), former NHL player
• Sean Burke (born 1967), former NHL player
• Jeff Burrows (born 1968), drummer of The Tea Party

C

• Stuart Chatwood (born 1969), bass player of The Tea Party, composer for video game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
• Frank Chauvin (1933–2015), former police detective, resigned from Order of Canada over abortion rights^[1]
• Kenneth Church (1930–2020), jockey, Windsor / Essex County Sports Hall of Fame inductee
• Stubby Clapp (born 1973), former MLB baseball player, current first base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals
• Peter D. Clark (born 1938), Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carlton (1991-1997)
• Jay Justin "Nig" Clarke (1882–1949), former MLB player and member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.^[2]
• Dorothy Collins (1926–1994), singer, actress, and recording artist
• Arjen Colquhoun (born 1992), CFL player
• Joe Comartin (born 1947), former politician
• Greg Constantine (born 1938), artist
• Dave Cooke (born 1952), politician, former Minister of Education
• Peter Cory (1925–2020), CC, Supreme Court of Canada judge from 1989 to 1999
• Aileen H. Cowan (1926–2024), Canadian painter and sculptor
• Jack Cowin (born 1942), billionaire, founder of Hungry Jack's
• Tyrone Crawford (born 1989), former NFL player
• Sharon Creelman (born 1964), field hockey player
• David Croll (1900–1991), former mayor of Windsor, first Jew appointed to a federal or provincial cabinet in Canada
• Keith Crowder (born 1959), former NHL player
• Emilia Cundari (1930–2005), operatic soprano

D

• George Dadamo (born 1953), former MPP (1990–1995)
• Scott D'Amore (born 1974), professional wrestler, manager and booker
• Ken Daneyko (born 1964), former NHL player
• Jaime D (born 1976), also known as Sirelda, former professional wrestler
• Edward Dawson (1907–1998), Olympic silver medalist in basketball (1936)
• Alexander Deans (born 1997), inventor, artist, and public speaker
• Andy Delmore (born 1976), former NHL player
• Johnny Devine (born 1974), professional wrestler^[3]
• Roman De Angelis (born 2001), professional racing driver in the IMSA SportsCar Championship
• Drew Dilkens (born 1972), present mayor of Windsor
• Michael DiPietro (born 1999), NHL player
• Jesse Divnich, industry personality and analyst, video games (from LaSalle)
• Roxi DLite (born 1983), burlesque performer
• Tie Domi (born 1969), former NHL player (from Belle River)
• Charles Drake (1920–1998), CC, Canadian neurosurgeon known for his work on treating aneurysms
• Dwight Duncan (born 1959), former Finance Minister of Ontario

E

• Murray Eaves (born 1960), former NHL player
• Aaron Ekblad (born 1996), NHL player
• Hoda ElMaraghy (born 1945), CM, first woman to serve as dean of engineering at a Canadian university

F

• Christine Fellows (born 1968), musician
• Ron Fellows (born 1959), former NASCAR driver
• Colm Feore (born 1958), OC, actor
• Bob Ferguson (1931–2014), sports journalist and writer^[4][5]
• John Ferguson, Sr. (1938–2007), former NHL player and executive
• Katie Findlay (born 1990), actress
• Cam Fowler (born 1991), NHL player
• Gino Fracas (1930–2009), CFL player and long-time coach of Windsor Lancers football
• Eddie Francis (born 1974), former mayor of Windsor
• Ron Friest (born 1958), former NHL player

G

• Frances M. Gage (1924–2013), sculptor
• Marty Gervais (born 1946), poet and publisher
• Barbara Gowdy (born 1950), CM, novelist
• Mary Henrietta Graham (1857 or 1858–1890), first black woman to be admitted to, as well as to graduate from, the University of Michigan
• Tommy Grant (1935–2011), CFL player and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
• Herb Gray (1931–2014), CC, former Liberal Member of Parliament and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
• Tony Gray, comic book illustrator

H

• Mary Jo Haddad (born 1957), CM, former President and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children, first female Chancellor at the University of Windsor
• Richie Hawtin (born 1970), techno musician
• Frank Hayden, OC, professor and pioneer of the Special Olympics
• George Hester (1902–1951), Olympic athlete
• Ken Hodge Jr. (born 1966), former NHL player^[6]
• David H. Hubel (1926–2013), research scientist and Nobel Prize winner^[7]
• Garth Hudson (born 1937), CM, organist and keyboardist for Canadian rock group The Band
• Michael D. Hurst (born 1950), former mayor of Windsor, Justice of the Peace

I

J

• Dan Jancevski (born 1981), former NHL player
• Alaric Jackson (born 1998), current NFL player
• Gordie Johnson (born 1964), guitarist and vocalist of Big Sugar
• Jennifer E. Jones was the first women to lead Rotary International in 2022.^[8]
• Spider Jones (born 1946), former boxer
• Ed Jovanovski (born 1976), former NHL player
• Jeon So-mi (birthname Ennik Somi Douma) (born 2001), South Korean singer

K

• Zack Kassian (born 1991), former NHL player
• Jerry Kauric (born 1963), former NFL and CFL player
• Rick Kehoe (born 1951), former NHL player and coach
• Ruth Kerr (1916–1974), athlete, 1932 Summer Olympics, at age 16; first Windsor-born person to represent Canada in Olympics ^[9]
• Tim Kerr (born 1960), former NHL player
• Malcolm Knight, Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank and former General Manager of Bank for International Settlements
• Robert Knuckle (born 1935), historian, bestselling author, actor and playwright
• Killer Kowalski (1926–2008), WWE Hall of Famer, professional wrestler and trainer
• Tomasz Kucharzewski (1968–2008), martial artist

L

• Mathew Charles Lamb (1948–1976), spree killer acquitted on grounds of insanity, later killed in action while fighting for the Rhodesian Security Forces
• Thomas W. LaSorda (born 1954), former CEO of Chrysler Canada Group
• Karen Lawrence (born 1951), writer
• Mike Lazaridis (born 1961), OC, CEO of Research in Motion, inventor of the BlackBerry
• Lou Lefaive (1928–2002), Canadian sports administrator and civil servant^[10]
• Ken Lewenza, Sr. (born 1954), former head of the Canadian Auto Workers
• Marion Lewis (born 1925), OC, Canadian medical researcher known for her work on the Rh factor
• Aaron Lowe (born 1974), former pairs figure skater with Megan Wing
• Budd Lynch (1917–2012), announcer for the Detroit Red Wings

M

• Sir Archibald Macdonell (1864–1941), decorated Canadian police officer and soldier
• Angus MacInnes (born 1947), actor
• Alistair MacLeod (1936–2014), OC, novelist, short story writer, and academic
• Marco Marsan (born 1957), author
• Jeff Martin (born 1969), guitarist and lead vocalist of The Tea Party
• Matt Martin (born 1989), NHL player for the New York Islanders
• Paul Martin (born 1938), Liberal former Prime Minister of Canada
• Paul Martin Sr. (1903–1992), longtime federal cabinet minister; father of the former PM
• Sheila Martin (born 1943), wife of former Prime Minister Paul Martin
• Medo Martinello (born 1935), former NLA lacrosse player, NLL Quebec Caribous and MILL Detroit Turbos lacrosse coach, IHL and NCAA hockey referee
• Brian Masse (born 1968), politician
• Kylie Masse (born 1996), swimmer, two-time Olympic medalist and World Champion in 100 m backstroke
• Brandon McBride (born 1994), Olympian, 800m runner, Canadian National Record Holder
• Sean McCann (1935–2019), actor^[11]
• Howard McCurdy (1932–2018), the New Democratic Party's first African-Canadian Member of Parliament
• Gordon Morton McGregor (1873-1922), a Canadian businessman who founded the Ford Motor Company of Canada in 1904
• Irving "Toots" Meretsky (1912–2006), Olympic silver medalist in basketball (1936)
• Steve Moore (born 1978), former NHL player
• Eugene McNamara (1930–2016), poet, novelist, University of Windsor English Professor Emeritus
• Eddie Mio (born 1954), former NHL player
• Noelle Montcalm (born 1988), Olympic hurdler
• Mychal Mulder (born 1994), NBA player
• Sandy Munro (born 1949), automotive engineer

N

• Stanley Nantais (1913–2004), Olympic silver medalist in basketball (1936)
• Isabelle Nélisse (born 2003), actress^[12]
• Sophie Nélisse (born 2000), actress in movies including The Book Thief
• Dan Newman (born 1952), former NHL player

O

• Joseph "Gerry" Ouellette (1934–1975), Olympic gold medalist in Men's shooting

P

• Mark Paré (born 1957), former NHL linesman
• Alton C. Parker (1907–1989), CM, first black Canadian police detective
• Christina Pazsitzky (born 1976), Canadian-American comedian
• Richard Peddie (born 1947), former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
• Maryse Perreault (born 1964), former short track speed skater
• Ed Philion (born 1970), former NFL and CFL player
• Jacqueline Pillon (born 1977), actress
• Casey Plett (born 1987), writer
• Oliver Platt (born 1960), television and film actor
• Lloyd Pollock (1909–1993), president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
• Barry Potomski (1972–2011), former NHL player
• Cathy Priestner (born 1956), speed skater, 1976 Winter Olympics, silver medalist in 500-metre event
• Valerie Pringle (born 1953), CM, journalist & TV Host
• Bob Probert (1965–2010), former NHL player
• Sandra Pupatello (born 1962), politician
• Matt Puempel (born 1993), former NHL player

Q

• Joel Quenneville (born 1958), former NHL player and former NHL head coach of 4 teams. 3x Stanley Cup winner.

R

• Rob Raco (born 1989), actor, musician
• Amanda Reason (born 1993), Olympic swimmer, former world record holder^[13]
• J. Paul Reddam (born 1955), academic, businessman, racehorse owner
• Mark Renaud (born 1959), former NHL player^[14]
• Brett Romberg (born 1979), former NFL player
• Ernestine Russell (born 1938), first female Olympic gymnast, 1956 Melbourne Summer games
• Warren Rychel (born 1967), former NHL player

S

• Lionel Sanders (born 1988), triathlete
• Cid Samson (born 1943), former MP
• Dave Schreiber (born 1944), NHL play-by-play man
• Erika Schmutz (born 1973), paralympic athlete (wheelchair rugby)
• Jack Scott (1936–2019), rockabilly singer
• Tyler Scott (born 1985), former CFL player
• Kim Shaw (born 1984), actress
• Dakoda Shepley (born 1994), NFL player, minor acting role as Omega Red in Deadpool 2.,^[15][16] and stunt and body double in Game Over, Man!^[17]
• Larry Shreve (born 1941), National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) professional wrestler known as Abdullah the Butcher (WWE Hall of Famer)
• Joe Siddall (born 1967), former MLB baseball player
• Al Siegel owner of Elmwood Casino and Windsor Raceway
• Bob Simpson (1930–2007), former CFL player
• Thomas Joseph Simpson (1921–2017), one of the 114 Canadians to receive the Distinguished Service Medal for World War II service.
• Jimmy Skinner (1917–2007), former NHL coach and executive
• Art Skov (1928–2009), former NHL referee
• Glen Skov (1931–2013), former NHL player
• Brad Smith (born 1958), former NHL player, nicknamed "Motor City Smitty"
• D. J. Smith (born 1977), former NHL player, current head coach of the Ottawa Senators
• Brad Snyder (born 1976), Olympic athlete 1996, 2000, 2004
• David Sobolov (born 1964), voice actor and director
• Skip Spence (1946–1999), composer, multi-instrumentalist, member of Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape
• William W. Spencer (1921–2007), Emmy award winning cinematographer
• Niki Spiridakos (born 1975), actress^[18]
• The Reverend J O L Spracklin (1886–?), Methodist minister who killed an illicit trader in alcohol in 1920, later tried and acquitted
• Dave Steen (born 1959), CM, decathlete, Olympic bronze medal winner
• Marta Stępień (born 1994), Miss Universe Canada 2018
• Alek Stojanov (born 1973), former NHL player
• John Swainson (1925–1994), Governor of Michigan 1961–1963
• Mark Suzor (born 1956), former NHL player

T

• Tamia (born 1975), R&B singer
• Chris Taylor, lawyer, Global President of eOne Music
• Fred Thomas (1923–1981), multi-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football)
• Shirley Thomson (1930–2010), CC, civil servant
• Ray Timgren (1928–1999), former NHL player
• Daryl Townsend (born 1985), CFL player
• Keegan Connor Tracy (born 1971), actress
• David Tremblay (born 1987), freestyle wrestler, 2012 Olympian
• Tim Trimper (born 1958), former NHL player
• William Troy (1827–1905), abolitionist and preacher
• John Tucker (born 1964), former NHL player
• Shania Twain, OC (born 1965), country singer

U

• John Upham (born 1940), former MLB player

V

• Daniel Victor (born 1979), singer, songwriter, producer of Neverending White Lights
• André Viger (1952–2006), OC, multi-time Paralympic athlete and medalist
• Christian Vincent (born 1980), actor, dancer, choreographer
• Tessa Virtue (born 1989), CM, ice dancer, Olympic gold medallist and World Champion with her partner Scott Moir
• Harold Vokes (1908–1998), malacologist and paleontologist

W

• Danielle Wade (born 1992) Broadway actor
• Hiram Walker (1816–1899), founder of distillery
• Aaron Ward (born 1973), former NHL player, now hockey analyst for TSN
• Felix Watts (1892–1966), inventor
• Kyle Wellwood (born 1983), former NHL player^[19]
• Solomon White (1836–1911), lawyer and politician
• Petey Williams (born 1981), professional wrestler^[20]
• Robert S. C. Williams, CM, humanitarian^[21]
• Tom Williams (born 1951), former NHL player
• Kortney Wilson (born 1979), professional house-flipper and musician
• Luke Willson (born 1990), former NFL player
• Ron Wilson (born 1955), former NHL player and coach
• Ryan Wilson (born 1987), former NHL player^[22]
• Megan Wing (born 1975), former pairs figure skater with Aaron Lowe
• Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (born 1987), actress

X

Y

Z

• Alexander Zonjic (born 1951), jazz musician

References

1. "Chauvin to return his medal". 23 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
2. "Justin Jay Clarke". Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
3. Hot Shot Johnny Devine
4. "Bob Ferguson". Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame. 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
5. Holder, Gord (November 25, 2014). "Bob Ferguson 1931–2014: Citizen sportswriter covered it all in a 44-year career". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved November 14, 2021.; Holder, Gord (November 26, 2014). "Sports writer had all bases covered". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. p. 14.
6. "Ken Hodge (b.1966) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com.
7. David H. Hubel - Autobiography
8. Iyer, Sahana (2022-07-27). "A new reign in Rotary". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
9. The Olympians among us ISBN 1-895305-37-3 page 2
10. Ferguson, Bob (2005). Who's Who in Canadian Sport, Volume 4. Markham, Ontario: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. p. 256. ISBN 1-55041-855-6.
11. "Sean McCann". IMDb. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
12. "Isabelle Nélisse". IMDb. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
13. "Reason, Pierse shut out of medals in 50m breaststroke". CBC News. August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
14. "Mark Renaud". QuantHockey.
15. "Jets rookie OL Dakoda Shepley has a role in Deadpool 2". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2018.
16. "Dakoda Shepley".
17. "WCS EP 184 - Dakoda Shepley - the WinCity Sports Podcast".
18. "Niki Spiridakos". IMDb. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
19. NHL Player Profile - Kyle Wellwood
20. "Petey Williams". IMDb. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
21. "Order of Canada". archive.gg.ca. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
22. "Ryan Wilson". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 12, 2019.