Martin Vieira was a selfless servant of cricket
February 16, 2025
When Dominican-born Victoria Park Cricket Club player Michael Burke died nearly five decades ago, close friend Martin Vieira became the son’s father figure.
“Uncle Martin was an integral part of my life,” recalled Patrick Burke who is a retired Toronto Police Service Detective Constable. “Though living in the Victoria Park Ave. and Danforth Ave. area at the time, he drove to Bowmanville to take me to and from cricket practice during the week and on weekends for games. He did that for other kids as well. When I was 15, he gave me my first job at Wallace Sporting Goods store he co-owned with Austin Ward (retired Canadian cricket administrator). He did that for many other youths at places he worked, including Matel, Borisco Brothers that was a moving and storage company and Gibson Textile. He made sure a lot of people were comfortable by giving them jobs.”
The selfless Vieira, who went on to be a key figure in the development of cricket in Canada and the Americas, passed away on February 13.
He was 78.
Burke visited him in hospital a few days before his death.
“We kept in touch and talked a lot about cricket,” said the Township of King By-Law Services Manager. “On the last visit, I mentioned that the ICC Champions Trophy tournament is starting soon in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. His eyes lit up, and he said, ‘That is the 50-overs tournament’. I said yes.”
After nearly 30 years as a player, coach and administrator, Vieira was appointed the International Cricket Council (ICC) Regional Manager for the Americas region in 2003.
He agreed to interview for the job on the condition that he would be based in Toronto if he got the position.
The largest of the ICC regions, the Americas was the only area without support staff at the time. That changed with the hiring of a Regional Development & Coaching Officer and a Program Officer.
“The ICC is prepared to develop the game in this area, especially Canada and the Americas, which they have identified as the leading Associates in the region,” he told me in an interview in April 2003. “The ICC is, however, counting on these Boards to engage in sound planning and their ability to deliver their commitments. I believe in getting value for my investment and I am not prepared to recommend ICC funds be used in instances where it is not worth it.”
Vieira served in the position for nine years.
Ravin Moorthy was Cricket Canada’s President during the majority of Vieira’s time with the ICC.
Martin Vieira (l) with former International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat (c) and ex-Cricket Canada President Ravin Moorthy in Toronto in May 2012 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“Coming from Calgary and being so young with a lot of fresh ideas when I first started the role in 2007, I encountered pushback,” he recounted. “The old guard did not like what I was bringing to the table. One day, Martin put his arm around me in his office and said, ‘You keep doing what you are doing because you are the future, not them’. To hear that coming from him meant so much to me. Later, he took me to an ICC meeting in the Cayman Islands and introduced me to every delegate as Cricket Canada’s new President. He never shied away from trying to support me.”
Cricket Canada General Manager Ingleton Liburd and Vieira worked out of the Sports Alliance Ontario building in North York.
“Martin did a lot for cricket, particularly junior cricket in the community,” said the former Canadian left-handed batsman who is managing the national team in Zimbabwe for a three-match 50-over series from February 26 to March 1. “He was also a good listener and someone who was very sympathetic to others.”
Martin Vieira (r) with coach Larry Gomes (c) and ICC Americas official Grant Dugmore at a celebration to mark Canada’s junior cricketers win in the 2005 regional tournament (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Just before joining the ICC, Vieira played a pivotal role in Canada’s bid for the ICC Trophy tournament in the Greater Toronto Area in 2001.
Dr. Geoff Edwards was Cricket Canada President at the time.
“I went to London to make the bid, but it was people like Martin Vieira, Calvin Clarke and others who did a lot of work to put together the presentation,” said the 2017 Hartford Cricket Hall of Fame inductee. “He was disciplined competent, proficient, professional and always sought excellence from himself and others.”
One of Cricket Canada’s longest serving executive members before retirement, Clarke said Vieira poured his heart and soul into junior cricket.
“He was always there willing to help young cricketers grow and achieve their full potential,” he said. “His unmatched organizational skills and dedication will be sorely missed.”
Martin Vieira (c) with the Canadian Under-19 team that won the Americas Cup youth tournament in the Greater Toronto Area in 2005 and qualified for the World Cup in Sri Lanka the following year (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Migrating from Guyana (then British Guiana) in 1959, Vieira was recruited to play for Victoria Park five years later while attending Neil McNeil High School in Scarborough.
The wicketkeeper with the third division team served in various capacities for almost thirty years at the club.
Later, Vieira was President of the Toronto District Cricket Association and Vice President of Cricket Canada. He also served as Junior Co-ordinator with both organizations.
Martin Vieira was a selfless servant of cricket (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
He is survived by his partner, Lynda Wade.
“Martin was a loving and giving person who touched many lives,” she said.
The funeral will be held on February 22 at St. Martin de Porres Parish, 4179 Lawrence Ave. E., starting at 10:30 a.m.
