St. Catharines Rowing Club — Presidents
| Years | President | Biographical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 – 1904 | George Warburton Hodgetts |
First rowing club President George Warburton Hodgetts stands as a foundational figure in the early history of the St. Catharines Rowing Club. Born on October 29, 1850, in Heath, West Bromwich, England, Hodgetts immigrated to Canada with his family in 1854, settling first in Toronto. His life would become closely tied to both community leadership and the growth of organized sport in St. Catharines. Elected as the Club’s first President on April 2, 1903, Hodgetts served during the inaugural years of the organization, including the 1903 and 1904 terms. At the time, he was the manager of the St. Catharines branch of the Bank of Toronto, a role that reflected his standing as a respected and trusted leader within the community. His administrative experience and steady guidance helped establish the Club’s early structure and direction during a formative period. Hodgetts married Jessie Agnes Clark in Toronto on January 1, 1874, and together they raised a family whose legacy remains commemorated in St. Catharines. He passed away on December 28, 1933, in Clarkson, Ontario, and was laid to rest in Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines, a fitting resting place in the city he helped serve. As the Rowing Club’s first president, George Warburton Hodgetts occupies a lasting place in the Club’s history—as a pioneer whose leadership helped set the course for generations to follow. |
| 1905 – 1906 | Dr. William Hamilton Merritt |
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. Dr. Merritt died on April 22, 1924, in his hometown of St. Catharines. He was laid to rest in Victoria Lawn Cemetery, where his monument records his military rank, medical profession, and family heritage. 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. |
| 1907 – 1909 | Alexander Hugh Malcolmson |
Alexander Hugh Malcolmson was a prominent early leader of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, serving as President for three consecutive terms in 1907, 1908, and 1909, and being re-elected on February 23, 1909. His presidency coincided with a period of continued development for the Club, and his commitment to rowing extended well beyond his official terms of office. 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. 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. Alexander Hugh Malcolmson died on November 16, 1937, in St. Catharines and was laid to rest in Victoria Lawn Cemetery. His monument records his and his wife’s names and dates, marking a life of service to the community and to the enduring legacy of rowing in St. Catharines. |
| 1910 – 1912 | Edward Fairgrieve Seixas |
Edward Fairgrieve Seixas was one of the most enduring leaders in the early history of the St. Catharines Rowing Club, serving multiple terms as President over a six-year span. First elected on February 10, 1910, he was re-elected in 1911 and 1912, and later returned to the presidency in 1915, with a further re-election on May 5, 1916. His repeated elections reflect the confidence placed in his leadership during a period of growth and consolidation for the Club. 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; she was laid to rest in Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines. In 1913, Seixas remarried, wedding Dorothy Glayds Almon on September 21 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. 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. Edward Fairgrieve Seixas died on April 10, 1946, at Toronto General Hospital and was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. 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. |
| 1913 – 1914 | Arthur Allen Briggs |
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, remained his partner until her death in 1930. 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. Arthur Allen Briggs died on January 11, 1928, in Toronto, Ontario, and was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Weston, Etobicoke. His monument bears a simple inscription recording his name and dates, marking the life of a man whose contributions to the St. Catharines Rowing Club formed part of its enduring early history. |
| 1915 – 1916 | Edward Fairgrieve Seixas |
Edward Fairgrieve Seixas returned to the presidency in 1915, with a further re-election on May 5, 1916 |
| 1917 - 1920 | World War I | During and immediately after the First World War, the club was dormant in 1917, 1918, 1919, and 1920. |
| 1921 | Richard Frederick Foote | 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. Richard Frederick Foote passed away on January 27, 1924, in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. He was buried alongside his wife in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, with the side of the O’Brien family monument marking his name and lifespan: RICHARD F. FOOTE / 1859–1924. His contributions to rowing, business, and local governance left a lasting imprint on the community he served. |
| 1921 – 1922 | Richard L. (Dick) Schram | 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 never married and devoted much of his life to rowing and athletic administration. Schram passed away on February 4, 1957, at his residence at 376 Sheppard Ave. E., Willowdale, Ontario. His cremation took place at Toronto Crematorium, 200 Winchester Ave., Toronto, Ontario. 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. |
| 1925 – 1926 | A. E. (Ernie) Coombs | 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. Beatrice, born in 1878, would remain his lifelong partner until her passing in 1948. 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 |
| 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.
