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George Warburton Hodgetts was a prominent early leader of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, serving as its first president after being elected to the role in 1903 and again in 1904. His presidency was foundational to the club’s early development, providing organizational structure, stability, and civic credibility during its formative years. At a time when rowing was emerging as an important athletic and social pursuit in St. Catharines, Hodgetts’ leadership helped establish the club’s governance and public standing within the community.
Born on October 29, 1850, in Heath, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, he was the son of George Hodgetts and Susannah Gittoes. He immigrated to Canada in 1854, settling in Toronto. On January 1, 1874, he married Jessie Agnes Clark in Toronto. By the time of his presidency, Hodgetts was a well-established banking professional, serving as manager of the St. Catharines branch of the Bank of Toronto. His professional experience and community influence played a key role in guiding the early direction of the St. Catharines Rowing Club and securing its place within the city’s sporting and social life. |
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Dr. William Hamilton Merritt was a distinguished leader of the St. Catharines Rowing Club during the early years of the twentieth century, serving as President for the 1905 and 1906 terms and being re-elected on April 5, 1906. Born on June 13, 1865, in St. Catharines, Merritt represented a deep local lineage, as the eldest son of Jedediah Prendergast Merritt and Emily Alexanderine Graydon, a family long associated with the civic and cultural life of the city.
A respected medical doctor by profession, Merritt balanced his demanding career with active community involvement. His presidency coincided with a period when the Club was becoming firmly established, and his leadership helped sustain its momentum following its formative years. Residing at Rodman Hall, one of St. Catharines’ most prominent historic homes, Merritt’s personal and professional life reflected both service and distinction. Beyond his contributions locally, Merritt served overseas during the First World War, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel—an achievement later commemorated on his monument. He married Maud Cloudman Hudson on October 12, 1892, in Chicago, Illinois, and together they shared a life marked by public service and commitment to community. As President of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, Dr. William Hamilton Merritt is remembered as a steady and principled leader whose influence extended well beyond the boathouse, leaving a lasting imprint on both the Club and the city he served. |
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During his presidency, Malcolmson was the proprietor of the Welland House Hotel, a role that placed him at the heart of St. Catharines’ social and civic life. His leadership and hospitality background contributed to his effectiveness as a community organizer and advocate for rowing in the region.
Even after his presidential years, Malcolmson continued to play a vital role in the sport. In 1920, during a period when the rowing club was dormant, he worked alongside Richard L. Schram to help regenerate the Henley Regatta, ensuring the survival and renewal of one of Canada’s most important rowing traditions. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed an honorary director of the Henley Aquatic Association. Born on March 17, 1862, in Hamilton, Ontario, Malcolmson was the son of Samuel Malcolmson and Jane Malcolmson. He married Mary Helen McKean on January 5, 1892, in Hamilton. Mary Helen, born in Belfast, Ireland, on March 7, 1864, would remain a central figure in his life until her death in 1935. |
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Professionally, Seixas served as the general manager of the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway Company, a position that placed him at the centre of regional transportation and economic development. His executive experience and organizational skills translated effectively to his stewardship of the Rowing Club during his presidential terms.
Born on October 22, 1870, in New York City, Seixas was the son of Gershom Arnold Seixas and Elizabeth Caroline Kopper. He married Charlotte Helen Soulsby on May 5, 1895, in Montgomery County, Ohio. Charlotte’s death in 1912 marked a significant personal loss. In 1913, Seixas remarried, wedding Dorothy Glayds Almon on September 21 in Atlanta, Georgia. Beyond the local level, Seixas was actively involved in the broader rowing community, serving on the executive of the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen. His contributions helped strengthen connections between the St. Catharines Rowing Club and the national rowing framework. His legacy within the St. Catharines Rowing Club is defined by sustained leadership, national engagement, and a lasting commitment to the sport of rowing in Canada. Edward Fairgrieve Seixas returned to the presidency in 1915, with a further re-election on May 5, 1916 |
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Arthur Allen Briggs served as President of the St. Catharines Rowing Club following his election on April 22, 1913, and continued in the role through the 1914 term. His presidency came during a period when the Club was navigating the challenges of the pre–First World War era, requiring steady leadership and practical management.
Born on November 27, 1852, in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, Briggs was the son of Charles Briggs and Anne Byers Duffield. He immigrated to Canada in 1870, where he would go on to establish both his career and family. On October 31, 1882, he married Alice Harriet Mayou in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Alice, born in England on July 12, 1857. Professionally, Briggs worked as the manager of a paper mill, a position that reflected his experience in industrial management and operations. These skills translated well to his leadership of the Rowing Club, where organization and oversight were essential to maintaining facilities and programming. |
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Richard Frederick Foote served as President of the St. Catharines Rowing Club in 1921 and was also president of the Henley Aquatic Association during the same year, overseeing the entry of a St. Catharines crew into the 1921 Henley Regatta. His leadership played a key role in re-establishing competitive rowing in the region following the club's dormant period.
Born on December 3, 1859, in Bridport, Dorset, England, Foote was the son of Isaac Forster Foote and Mary Harding Thomas. He married Josephine Monica O’Brien (1865–1948) in Brooklyn, New York, USA, though the exact date of their marriage is unrecorded. Together, they shared a life that bridged business, civic service, and sporting leadership. Foote was a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating the Maple Leaf Rubber Company in Port Dalhousie and the Independent Rubber Company in Merritton, Ontario. His move to Port Dalhousie in 1894 marked the beginning of a long period of civic engagement, including serving as Reeve of Port Dalhousie in 1901, 1907, and 1908. |
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Richard Louis Henry (Dick) Schram played a crucial role in sustaining rowing in St. Catharines during a challenging period. During and immediately after the First World War, the club was dormant in 1917, 1918, 1919, and 1920. In 1920, Schram, along with A. H. Malcolmson, stepped in to help resurrect the Henley Regatta, ensuring the continuity of this important rowing tradition. On August 15, 1921, Schram was elected president of the newly formed Niagara District Aquatic Club, which entered St. Catharines crews in competition, and he was re-elected on March 29, 1922, as president of the N.D.A.C.
Born on November 12, 1873, in London, Ontario, he was the son of Burwell Schram and Isabella Bowman. Schram devoted much of his life to rowing and athletic administration. Beyond his local contributions, Schram served as president of the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen in 1934 and 1935, and in December 1951, he was made a life member of the C.A.A.O. A charter member of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, he also served as club captain and coach, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian rowing. |
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Charles George Rose was elected President of the Niagara District Aquatic Club on February 18, 1923, guiding the organization during a period of growth and community engagement in aquatic sports. His leadership reflected both his commitment to the sport and his professional acumen.
Born in February 1876 in Foveran, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Rose was the son of John Rose and Jessie Lawson Thomson. He married Martha Horrocks on April 29, 1902, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Rose immigrated to Canada in July 1905, bringing with him international experience and a passion for community involvement. During his presidency, he worked professionally as an insurance agent, balancing his career with his dedication to the Club and local aquatic activities. |
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Albert Ernest (Scout) Coombs was a dedicated and influential leader in the early history of the St. Catharines Rowing Club. He was first elected President on March 10, 1924, re-elected on March 19, 1924, and again on March 10, 1925, serving as president of the Niagara District Aquatic Club. Between January 16 and March 11, 1926, the Niagara District Aquatic Club officially renamed itself the St. Catharines Rowing Club, and Coombs continued as president. He also served as president in 1926, 1928, and 1929, and was awarded honorary membership at the 1930 annual meeting in recognition of his years of service.
Born on April 2, 1871, on a family farm in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Coombs was the son of John Coombs and Susan Tait. He married Beatrice Marguerite Elliott on August 11, 1897, in York, Ontario. During his presidency, Coombs worked as a teacher at St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School, balancing his professional responsibilities with his commitment to rowing |
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William Thomas “Doc” Tait was a respected and energetic leader of the St. Catharines Rowing Club during the interwar period, serving as President following his election on March 21, 1927. His presidency occurred at a time when the Club was navigating both growth and continuity, and his steady guidance reflected a deep commitment to the sporting and civic life of the city.
Born on April 24, 1885, in the Halifax area of Nova Scotia, Tait was the son of William Maxwell Tait and Agnes Thorburn. He relocated to St. Catharines in 1913, where he quickly became a familiar and trusted figure within the community. Known widely by the nickname “Doc,” he established himself professionally as the owner of a hearing-aid business. Beyond his formal role with the Rowing Club, Tait was deeply involved in the leadership of the Henley Aquatic Association, where he served multiple terms as president, underscoring his long-standing dedication to rowing in St. Catharines. |
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| Years | President | Biographical Notes |
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| 1929 – 1930 | Jack Graham | |
| 1931 – 1933 | E. T. (Ed) Sandell | |
| 1934 – 1944 | Jack House | |
| 1945 – 1946 | D. F. (Don) Thom | |
| 1947 | Norris Davis / Merrill Blank | Davis was transferred to Toronto; Vice-President Merrill Blank completed the term. |
| 1948 – 1949 | F. F. (Ted) Nelson | |
| 1950 – 1951 | S. C. (Stu) McIntosh | |
| 1952 – 1953 | Harry T. Harper | |
| 1954 – 1955 | John Newman | |
| 1956 – 1957 | Alex Champion | |
| 1958 – 1959 | Russ Wood | |
| 1960 – 1961 | Hudson Mossop | |
| 1962 – 1963 | Jim Minards | |
| 1964 – 1965 | Fred Marlow | |
| 1966 – 1967 | Oscar Tasane | |
| 1968 – 1969 | Harry Edmonstone | |
| 1970 – 1971 | Don Baker Sr. | |
| 1972 – 1973 | Gordon Thompson | |
| 1974 – 1975 | Bill Dann | |
| 1976 – 1977 | John Dewar | |
| 1978 – 1979 | Jim Stone | |
| 1980 – 1981 | Harold Cove | |
| 1982 – 1983 | Jim Anderson | |
| 1984 – 1985 | Craig Swayze | |
| 1986 – 1987 | Susan Erskine | |
| 1988 – 1989 | Don Baker Jr. | |
| 1990 | Bill Bunston | |
| 1991 – 1993 | Ken Campbell | |
| 1994 – 1995 | Jim Marino | |
| 1996 – 1997 | John Mirynech | |
| 1998 – 1999 | Matt Wilson | |
| 2000 – 2002 | Jim Marino | |
| 2003 – 2004 | Stephanie Brooks | |
| 2005 – 2006 | Don Markarian | |
| 2007 – 2012 | Doug Kerr | |
| 2013 – 2018 | Michelle Kerr | |
| 2019 – 2022 | Rick Crooker | |
| 2023 – Present | David Derry |
The dates shown in square brackets [ ] are probably correct but could not be fully verified.
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