Jim Minards
After a brief illness Jim passed away peacefully on November 9, 2022, in his 94th year. Jim was predeceased by the love of his life Marilyn (Sullivan) whom he married in 1965. They shared a wonderful life together in Port Dalhousie until her passing in 2020.
Jim was a true historian of the sport of rowing and loved to share the tales of memories made over his years of involvement in the sport. Jim’s love of the sport began in 1949 when he joined the St. Catharines Rowing Club as a lightweight oarsman – “no medals to speak of…” he said!! From his early involvement in building high school rowing, to being Club President and Captain, and his instrumental role in obtaining Henley Island for CHRC and it’s development Jim was the St. Catharines Rowing Club. The Alumni Clubhouse, the first bridge to the Island, the boathouses, medical facility and the CHRC offices all happened due to his leadership and financial support. St. Catharines would not be a Class A facility if Jim had not taken such a lead role. Jim also organized the regatta facilities and was the CHRC as facilities manager for many years. There is no feature on Henley Island that does not have Jim’s hand in building. His entire life has been dedicated to the sport of rowing.
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Jim served the rowing community in many executive positions including the St. Catharines Rowing Alumni, Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association, Captain and President of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, facilities manager with the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation, World Rowing 1970 and 1999 committees, the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta Commission and was President of Rowing Canada. His experience and input were sought by members of the rowing community throughout North America which aided in the development of countless rowing venues.
Recently Jim Minards made a very generous donation to the SCRC to further enhance the boat house facilities including the installation of concrete floors in all 10 bays.
Honours for his commitment to the sport have been many. He was inducted into the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, presented with the highest awards from Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association, numerous provincial and national awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rowing Canada.in 2022. His involvement in rowing and the development of the sport for the benefit of the young people that he so passionately cared about spanned 73 years. Simply put, Jim Minards was a legend in the rowing community. His passion for the sport is equaled only by the affection held for him by those whose lives he touched. He will be so missed
Honours for his commitment to the sport have been many. He was inducted into the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, presented with the highest awards from Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association, numerous provincial and national awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rowing Canada.in 2022. His involvement in rowing and the development of the sport for the benefit of the young people that he so passionately cared about spanned 73 years. Simply put, Jim Minards was a legend in the rowing community. His passion for the sport is equaled only by the affection held for him by those whose lives he touched. He will be so missed