by Rob MacNeil, President SFU Pipe Band Society
On October 2, SFU Pipe Band members got together at the Port Moody Legion Branch 119 for a social evening and to recognise the transition of Jack Lee’s multi-decade tenure as Pipe Sergeant.
Pipe Major Alan Bevan announced to the members that Craig Sutherland has been appointed Pipe Sergeant. Craig, from Crieff in Perthshire, joined the band in early 2016 following many years playing in the Vale of Atholl Pipe Bands, rising to Pipe Sergeant of their Grade 1 band.
Since then, Craig has been a front rank player in SFUPB and has captured some of solo piping’s top awards: Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal (2017), Northern Meeting Gold Medal (2024), Northern Meeting “A” Grade MSR (2023).
Like several couples in the band, Craig met his future spouse Tori Killoran, also a SFUPB piper, through the band and in November 2024 Craig moved to BC. They were married in Italy in May of this year.
Of interest, Jack Lee became Pipe Sergeant of the City of Port Moody Legion 119 Pipe Band (which later became the SFU Pipe Band) at that Legion Branch in September 1977 and 48 years later, Jack has passed the torch to Craig Sutherland at the same Legion Branch.
Also, Port Moody Legion Branch 119 holds a special place with the SFU Pipe Band, as since becoming the SFU Pipe Band in 1981, the band has returned every year to perform for the Legion’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.