Jim Minards

Jim and Marilyn at the Captain's Dinner

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.  

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Jim's Honours and Accomplishments in Canadian Rowing

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​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.   ​

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.

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Jim Minards Recognized For Lifetime Achievement in Rowing

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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 ​

Jim and Marilyn Minard's donation is currently being used to enlist Rankin Construction who is investigating the foundational structure of the boat house. ​In Bay 7 Rankin drove piling into the ground until they hit bedrock at 17 metres. ​The pictures below are of the tests that took place. The results will be used to determine the most effective method for installation of concrete floors in all 10 Bays.​

Trench in Bay 7

Driving the piling

Piling set in the ground

​The SCRC is forever indebted to Jim who has been dedicated throughout his life to building and enhancing of the facilities of the St. Catharines Rowing Club. His dedication and support have directly affected all athletes and others who access the SCRC and the island.

Thank You, Jim!

Jim Minard's Honours, Contributions, and Accomplishments in Canadian Rowing

In the 1950s he a developed St Catharine’s’ High School rowing program from about 14 “poorly equipped rowers at St. Catharine’s Collegiate and expanded it to include 15 schools – the foundation of St. Catharine’s’ strong high school program of today. Jim has had a hand in everything done on the island since 1949 when he first joined the St Catharine’s
Rowing Club.

Jim has been a National Team Manager, the Facilities Manager of the Henley Island, and was responsible for the building of the offices, medical building and other structures. He was instrumental in moving an existing bridge, by barge from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Martindale pond to link Henley Island to the mainland, and in the building of the Old Boys Association’s Clubhouse in the 1950’s.

Jim's Rowing Timeline

Lightweight Oarsman, St. Catharines Rowing Club (“no medals to speak of”, per Jim) - 1949-1953     ​

Coach, St. Catharines High School Program - 1955-1956

Old Boys Association, now St. Catharines Rowing Alumni Association - 1953

Central Ontario Rowing Association Executive (CORA) -  1954

Henley Island Committee Executive -  1955     

Captain, St. Catharines Rowing Club - 1954-1957 & 1959 

Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) - 1959 

Director, Henley Island Operations - 1960

President, St. Catharines Rowing Club - 1962 ​​

1st Vice President, Henley Regatta Association - 1965 ​

Organizing Committee, 1970 World rowing Championships, held in St. Catharines - 1968

President, Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen – CARA now RCA - 1972

Design Assistant, Montreal Olympic Rowing Venue - 1974

100th Henley Committee - 1981

C.A.A.O Award of Merit - 1984

Henley Regatta Commission - 1990

Co-Chair, World University Games Rowing - 1993

World Rowing Facilities Committee - 1999

Canadian Henley Rowing Association – Facilities and Operations - 2000+

Jim's Rowing Honours

Most Valuable Member, Old Boys Association - 1964 ​

Award of Merit, Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen - 1984

Builder, St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame - 1994

President’s Award, St. Catharines Rowing Club - 1996

RCA 50 Years Long Service Award - 2003

Ontario Syl Apps Special Achievement Award​ - 2005

Rowing Canada Aviron Lifetime Achievement Award - 2021

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 member of the Retired Salaried Employees of General Motors.

Jim became 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.  After coaching high school rowing, he became instrumental in the development of Henley Island.

Jim was a visionary and his efforts contributed to Henley Island becoming one of the best rowing facilities in the world and the only Canadian Class A international rowing site.

​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 committees, the Henley Regatta Commission and 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.

​As an ambassador of the sport of rowing Jim and Marilyn hosted many athletes at their home from all corners of the globe.
 
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.

His involvement in rowing and the development of the sport for the benefit of 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.
 
As his health deteriorated Jim was so very grateful for the support of his many close friends, especially his neighbours Sam Baio, Elizabeth Andreen, and countless others from the rowing “gang”.
 
He leaves behind Marilyn’s nieces Susie Giganti and Joie York (Bruce) and many, many great friends who share his loss. He was predeceased by niece Shirley Duggan and cousin Linda (Larry) and leaves behind cousin Jack Trueman (Shirley) and their children Sandi, Diana (Larry), Larry (Brenda),

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 2-4pm & 6-8pm at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. Funeral Service will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 3pm with interment to follow. Details for Jim's visitation and funeral are available here.
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In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Catharines Rowing Club would be greatly appreciated.

Used with permission from George Darte Funeral Homes.