Hundreds attend memorial service for Jeno Tihanyi

A memorial service was held Friday before a packed house at Laurentian University's Fraser Auditorium to celebrate the life of legendary Laurentian University swim coach Jeno “Doc” Tihanyi.

He died from cancer this past Sunday at the age of 71.

Family, friends, colleagues, leading members of the local sporting world and business community all joined together to remember the life of one of Canada's finest and most successful coaches.

It's common knowledge Tihanyi had a profound impact on the life of Alex Baumann. The two combined in the 1970s to form an unstoppable force which resulted in Baumann winning two gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Summer Games.

Baumann relived some of his most precious moments with Tihanyi and how he shaped him into the man he is today.

“He will be dearly missed...he brought the best out of people,” said Baumann. “He touched many people and left a strong legacy.”

Long time friend and current Laurentian University swim team head coach Phil Parker also spoke kind words about Tihanyi and how the man viewed every swimmer under his guidance as a winner.

“To Doc...every swimmer was a champion,” said an emotional Parker, who considered Tihanyi his best friend.

Tihanyi touched more than just the local athletes. He coached swimming for over 44 years in Canada and owns a lengthy list of accomplishments.

As stories were shared, many people laughed and cried. They also had moments of clarity as Tihanyi had an ability of reaching people, even in his death.

“Grief is the price we pay for respect and love...of a man we're all here to celebrate and honour,” said former Laurentian athletic director Ken Shields. “Don't feel guilty if you laugh or cry...it's alright, Jeno would have wanted it that way.”

Tihanyi was a passionate man with a fiery spirit.

“He was a pit bull,” said long time friend Stu Duncan. “A man who never gave up. I always said if I was ever in a back alley brawl, I wanted him on my side. He had no fear. He was the ultimate crusader for the Laurentian swim team.”

Duncan had a clear message for city and Laurentian officials in regards to honouring Tihanyi.

“He was Canada's greatest swim coach,” said Duncan. “He's a legend. They should rename the road that comes off South Bay Road to the Ben Avery Gymnasium Tihanyi Way. There should be another sign at the end of the road that says Tihanyi Way, the Only Way.”


Tihanyi established the Laurentian swim program in 1974. It has grown from five swimmers to almost 50. Over his 32 years, the program's swimmers have accomplished 10 CIS records, 19 OUA records and 215 university medals.