Two new names were inducted into Weyburn’s Walk of Fame, during a special ceremony held in conjunction with the annual Show and Shine on Saturday.
Henry “Hank” Dorsch was inducted into the athletics and recreation category and James “Jim” Buzash was inducted into the arts and entertainment category.
Dorsch was a name synonymous with football. He was born and raised in the Weyburn area, played football at Weyburn Comprehensive School, continued his football career with the University of Regina Rams and then earned a football scholarship at the University of Tulsa. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration and went on to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
He played with the team from 1964 to 1971, winning a Grey Cup with the team in 1966. Over his career, he racked up six interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. Tackle statistics weren’t tracked in those years, but he factored on a great number of them.
After he retired from football, Dorsch moved into the administrative side, serving as a board member, and as the general manager of the Riders for the 1978 and 1979 seasons. He left the organization, and went on to work in the public service for 25 years. As well, Dorsch established the Parkinson’s’ Curling Classic, which has gone on to raise over $1 million for the disease.
This past December, Dorsch passed away in Regina after a lengthy battle with Lewy body dementia, COPD and cancer. His family attended the Walk of Fame, to receive the posthumous award.
“It is truly an honour to be here for the Walk of Fame. Dad would be beaming in joy at the amazing tribute in his honour,” said Debra Dorsch, who represented the family.
“Dad always told us about how he left Weyburn to continue his football adventure, with cardboard holding his cleats together. He was just so proud to be the first from Weyburn to make it to the sports show. It will be an honour that will always be his,” said Debra.
“He was always eager to share his roots of Weyburn with the friends he made in Tulsa. Even after my dad met his bride Pat, a beautiful Tulsa lady, his heart was still in Saskatchewan. He was so honoured to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”
Buzash moved to Weyburn with his family, and quickly settled in. He is known for a number of his business ventures, including the Northside Confectionary, and the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. From there he went on to a musical career, playing violin with the band Betty and her Brothers Five, a family musical ensemble featuring his brothers and one sister. They specialized in cultural gypsy music, recording three albums and were the first group from Saskatchewan to earn a gold record.
Their success as a group led them to establish the Brothers Theatre Restaurant in Regina, where they played their music, in addition to serving cultural food. Buzash soon was in demand as a solo artist, in addition to the group’s popularity, and had performed for many dignitaries during his long musical career.
“My grandfather and Uncle Robert were well-known and noted musicians. My grandfather gave me my very first violin at an early age, which instilled in me a deep rooted love of gypsy culture and music,” said Buzash.
“I share a strong bond with my family, making music and sharing it with everyone. My sister Betty, my brothers Art, Steve, Ernie, Clay and myself were part of an orchestra called ‘Betty and the Brothers Five’.”
“We shared our music across the province and across the nation, being invited to perform for many dignitaries during our musical career,” said Buzash. “Our greatest honour as musicians was providing entertainment to everyone that we had the pleasure of meeting. Among our musical journeys, we recorded three albums and were awarded a Gold Record for one of those albums.”
“It is great to be back in Weyburn. I have many fond memories of this community,” said Buzash.
