Journey with the Sherpas: The Story of Zeke O'Connor and the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation

by William (Zeke) O'Connor, Christopher Shulgan (As told by)

Join Zeke O’Connor as he takes you through the many journeys he has travelled over the past six decades, first as a remarkably successful athelete (yes, it’s the Zeke O’Connor who scored the winning touchdown with the Toronto Argonauts in 1952), then as a friend and companion to Sir Edmund Hillary as the two towering men scaled Mount Everest, and finally to the most amazing journeys of all. As the founding President of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, there is no one better equipped than Zeke O’Connor to tell of how this foundation enabled the Nepalese Sherpas to build their own 13 medical clinics and 17 schools over the past few decades, to establish literacy programs for women, and to spearhead a reforestation project that saw the planting of over 2 million seedlings over a 30-year span. Each journey described in this unique memoir is told with grace and humility. It is a celebration of the human spirit and lives well lived.

264 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2012

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful! Filled with images of Zeke O'Connor and the Sherpa community that he became so involved with. If anyone has ever wondered what it would be like to devote your life to a cause you truly believe in, this is an incredibly uplifting book. Zeke started his life in New York and became a professional football player, and eventually played for Notre Dame. Then he came to Toronto to play with the Argonauts, and won a major game in 1952 for the Argos. He worked after for Sears, in their outdoor and camping gear department. Eventually he rose to the top level of management and buying, and met Sir Edmund Hillary whilst testing out some new gear on a camping trip in Quebec. They became fast friends, and soon Sir Ed took Zeke to the Himalayas to introduce him to the Sherpas and show him their need for focused, philanthropic assistance. Zeke founded the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada, and planted trees, creating protected environmental areas, built schools and hospitals, and funded the education of several medical professionals. I love this book, because it really does show how friendship and respect can be the basis of Western assistance in developing nations. It is not condescending in any way, and you are left with an incredible heartwarming feeling. The ghost-writer for this memoir, Christopher Shulgan, wove an excellent story out of his discussions and research. I highly recommend this book!