Robert Alan Attersley (August 13, 1933 – March 12, 2010)[1] was a well known Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics.

He remained with the Generals for a total of three seasons, receiving the Red Tilson Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League's most valuable player in 1952-1953.

[citation needed] With the contract to the Guelph Biltmores coming to an end, Attersley joined the team the Oshawa Truckmen.

[citation needed] With his centre position secured for the Whitby Dunlops, Attersley went on to win the scoring championship in the league for four of the five seasons.

In the following year the Whitby Dunlops disbanded, leaving Attersley to join the Waterloo Flying Dutchmen to represent Canada for a second time.

[citation needed] After working for General Motors, Attersley became supervisor of maintenance at the new Dunlop Tire plant towards the end of 1954.

On April 1, 1960 he opened his first Attersley Tire store and expanded into the commercial truck area of expertise by the year 1964.

In his first year as mayor, Attersley faced a large challenge when in the summer of 1980 one of Whitby's largest industries, Firestone, had closed bringing with it a loss of 650 jobs and $65,000 in taxes.

[citation needed] Another duty that Attersley assumed as mayor in 1980 was to serve as one of the Regional Council's representatives on the then named Durham Police Commission.

In an attempt to increase industrialism, brochures were made up in English, French, German and Japanese to promote Whitby.

In times of a recession for Ontario, Whitby posted record numbers for building permits, industries and stores being opened, and a population increase.

[citation needed] On August 25, 1984, Attersley presented Anne Ottenbrite with the Key to the Town of Whitby and named a swimming pool in her honour.