UNITY — Oscar Housen spent much of his time at the Unity ball diamonds. That is why Unity Minor Ball has now erected a memorial bench to be the best seat in the house at the Unity diamonds.
The family wanted memorial donations to go towards Unity Minor Ball. The bench is set up at the Lions diamond for those needing a shady place to rest or a great front row seat to a ball game taking place there, a location where Oscar’s lawn chair was often found with him in it cheering enthusiastically.
Prairie Town Redi-Mix provided the bench at cost and a plaque was purchased to put on it. The inscription reads, “Oscar Housen – he loved life and he loved ball.” A fitting tribute to a man who is inducted into the Unity Sports Hall of Fame in the builder category and who spent so much of his time giving back to the sport he loved.
A Unity Minor Ball spokesperson, Roxanne Greenwald, says, “We are always grateful and humbled by donations made in memory of someone who passes away to purchase items like this to beautify our ball diamonds venue and honour the person whose legacy shall remain there forever.”
Maurice “Oscar” Housen was well known in Unity and especially at the ball diamonds. He passed away in 2020.
Housen was a player until 1955, he then coached little league until 1968. He became an umpire for little league as well as men’s and women’s fastball until 1985. When he was no longer behind the plate, he migrated to the role of number one fan, cheering on all ages and divisions.
Housen was inducted into the Unity Sports Wall of Fame in 2006. In the January 2021 story in this paper, Unity Minor Ball President, Reagan L’Heureux said, “... we will ensure the family is okay with whatever we decide to go with for this very kind gesture of directing donations to our organization. When we have it finalized you can expect us to ensure the community knows how this kind gesture was put in place.”
Whether you are out for a walk or coming to watch a game on the Lions diamond, have a seat at Oscar’s bench and remember the man who contributed so much to the highly successful, decades-long minor ball association that he helped build and support for many years.
