Eight Bells: RCYC’s Ted Chisholm
November 6, 2025
Edward B. “Ted” Chisholm sailed peacefully away from us on October 23, 2025, at the age of 88. For years Ted was Director of Sailing at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club and its face of the race committee known all over Lake Ontario and beyond for his stewardship.
In his early years, he and Tom spent many summers on Oakville’s Sixteen-Mile Creek aboard a rowboat crafted by their Dad. It was here he developed a love for being on the water, whether it be sailing, racing, or race management, and this led to many years at RCYC. Appointed in 1975 as Director of Sailing at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club he continued to contribute to sailing everywhere including oversight of Course Bravo at the ’76 Montreal Olympics, and the South Ocean Racing Conference.
Ted was frequently on the RC boat at CORK and at countless other important regattas and championships supporting in many official roles.
The “Chisholm Trophy of Excellence in Race Management” was established by the OSA in 1993 in honour of Ted’s race management leadership. Some will fondly remember him as “Captain Ted,” one of the voices of CKFM radio’s “On the Water” in the 1980s. As he transitioned to retirement and encouraged by the enthusiasm of sailing friendships built over many years, Ted created “Adventures Away”, which provided forays to the Caribbean for fun-filled winter casual regattas.
Ted enjoyed life in charming Unionville, where he and his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Sullivan took on many home building and restoring projects. He had a great interest in preserving the uniqueness of the town, serving on the Unionville Historical Society.
