Brian Chapman: Celebration of Life

Mar 22, 2018

Wendy Loat speaking for ABYC recounted Brian Chapman’s many contributions to the club over his tenure

Brian Chapman, who passed away earlier this year triggered by a sudden bout of influenza, was a fixture around the GTA and though much of the Canadian sailing competitor as a sailor, competitor and bon vivant. He was a member of Port Credit Yacht Club as a young many and had subsequently joined Queen City and most recently Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club not far from his UK-Halsey loft. It wasn’t surprising, then, to see the very large turnout of his friends and admirers who came together on March 11 to wish him well on his way.

Host Bob Wilson of ABYC welcomed the many guests representing a broad collection of Toronto area racers, and then introduced several speakers who reminisced about Brian’s adventures and misadventures as well. Adam Loory, General Manager at UK-Halsey International, came from New York and spoke of Brian’s professional skills and his contribution to the loft’s designs and organization.

The room was dominated by the sadness of losing a fine sailor and great friend but the stories were tempered with amusing anecdotes that Brian would certainly have appreciated. Several speakers also lauded Brian’s accomplishments and many generous acts assisting racing friends, sponsoring junior sailors and helping pretty much anyone who needed his skills.