In nautical tradition, when a sailor has died, he or she can be honoured with the sounding of eight bells: meaning they have come to the end of their watch.
This page is dedicated to the memory of deceased FYC members. May they be remembered for their friendship and the contributions they made to Fanshawe Yacht Club. We wish them Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Information from public obituaries etc. will be posted with the families’ permission.
Joan Ellington
Joan Ellington, wife of John Ellington, and mother of Julie Stewart at FYC has sadly passed away.
Some of you may remember Joan from our dinners out at the Fireside restaurant or at the Commodore’s Reception.
We are thinking of John and family at this difficult time. We know Joan will be sadly missed. Fair winds Joan. Here is her Obituary:
Joan Ellington (nee MacDonald) passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, on Friday, July 19th, 2024, in her 86th year. Joan will be missed by her loving husband John. Beloved mother of Robin Sober (Ron), Julie Stewart (Neal) and Marty Ellington (1990). Proud grandmother of Brandon and Danielle Stewart. Dear sister of Judy Makey. Aunt to Joseph Makey and Karen Smout. Daughter of the late Joe and Marion MacDonald.
Joan’s love of lists and math combined with her natural ability for accounting provided a solid foundation to our family and family business in London. As an expression of sympathy, donations in memory of Joan may be made to Diabetes Canada.
Cremation has taken place. As per Joan’s wishes, there will be no funeral service held. A private family interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery will take place at a later date. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
Posted July 24, 2024
Hans Schaffner
Hans Schaffner was a long time member of Fanshawe Yacht Club. He was Commodore of FYC in 1978, and Member of the Year in 2003. He had a great heart for volunteerism, a quietly competitive nature when racing sailboats, and a fantastic sense of humour.
He was key to many improvements at Fanshawe Yacht Club such as building the Barbeque gazebo and overseeing the design and construction of the Sailing School Building.
Hans was a keen racer in the Y-Flyer class. Over the years, his opponents on the race course were in awe of his ability to read the wind. He was Ontario Y-Flyer Provincial Champion many times, and his name is engraved on several trophies at Fanshawe Yacht Club. If he wasn’t racing, he helped with manning safety boats during regattas as you can see in the photos above.
He also loved to cruise his Tanzer 22 sailboat in Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Sometimes he cruised solo, but more often he was joined by one of his sons. He was part of many great memories made during those summer cruises.
Hans enjoyed a good time, and his hearty laugh and ready smile charmed all those who knew him. He was a great inspiration to many of us racers and an example of a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. Fair winds Hans.
Here is his Obituary:
Hans Schaffner passed away peacefully on March 22, 2024, a day after his 90th birthday. He will be greatly missed by his wife Christel who, in their 64 years of marriage built a beautiful life that included 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Hans and Christel immigrated from Germany in 1959 and chose London, Ontario as their home. Hans had a very successful career in the automobile industry, loved big band music and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was an amazing craftsman and avid sailor. He had a quick wit, piercing blue eyes and a smile that lit up the room. He will be mostly remembered for his incredible work ethic and love of his family which included his children Peter (Jill), Patrick (Gail), Paulette (Aldo) and Paul (Carrie). Dad/Papa will be dearly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren (Genna (Jamie), Lisa (Matt), Patrick (Christine), Paige (Cole), Allie, Emily, Ella and Avery) and great grandchildren (Natalie, Kaylee, Auston, Grace, Owen and a soon to be named great granddaughter).
Thanks to all of the hospital staff on the 7th floor and especially to the amazing, compassionate staff on the palliative floor.
A private family service will take place with a Celebration of Life to be held at a future date.
Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Click Here to view his Obituary and post online condolences at Harris Funeral Home.
Posted March 30, 2024
Ralph Smith
Ralph Smith was a long time member of Fanshawe Yacht Club. He was Commodore of FYC for part of 2006, Member of the Year in 2000, and was editor of the Dockside Scuttlebutt club newsletter for many years. Fanshawe Yacht Club was his favourite place and he very much enjoyed spending his time there catching the breeze when he could on his sailboat Cygnus, or gabbing with the other sailors on the dock when the winds were too calm for sailing. He was a dedicated volunteer both at FYC and other organizations in London. He had a great sense of humour and loved to tell jokes and funny stories about his travels. He will be greatly missed. Fair Winds Ralph.
His obituary is below:
Unexpectedly with his wife by his side, Ralph Smith of London passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024 in his 91st year. Ralph was the beloved husband of Irene for nearly 70 years. He was the proud and supportive father of Kevin Smith and Sandy Perry and her husband Larry. Dear Papa of Kaley Bill. Predeceased by his sister Ruth Curtis (the late Lyle). Ralph will also be missed by his five nephews, one niece, and his many friends and neighbours.
Ralph worked for Suncor, finally retiring as Manager of Real Estate and Development of Western Ontario after 36 years. After his retirement, he spent many years as a treasured volunteer with Children’s Aid and the Power and Sail Squadron. Ralph loved taking the family to Florida when they were young and later in his marriage travelled extensively with Irene. He was an avid curler, but sailing was his great passion, becoming a long-term and valued member of the Fanshawe Yacht Club. The Smith family wish to thank their dearly loved neighbours for all of their support, especially over the last few years.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Ralph’s life will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Mocha Shriners, 468 Colborne Street, London. In memory of Ralph, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online obituary and condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com
Posted February 12, 2024
Don Campbell
Don Campbell was an avid sailor and former member of Fanshawe Yacht. At FYC, he raced Y-Flyers (18′ scow) with daughter Lesley, son Colin, or anyone else he could entice onto the boat. He loved travelling to regattas and the camaraderie with his fellow sailors. Later, he and Phoebe acquired an Alberg 30 “White Opal” which they raced and enjoyed for years. Don was a great guy with a wide scope of interests and immense knowledge about many things. He will be greatly missed. His obituary is below. Fair winds Don.
On September 10, 2023, Donald Kilgour Campbell (‘DK’) concluded a remarkable 78 year journey on this earth. Don’s life was a tapestry of dedication, discovery, and resilience.
He was the cherished husband of Phoebe Campbell (née Melland) for four decades and the proud father of Lesley Campbell (Mike Suksi) and Colin Campbell (Natalie Harper). Brother to Janet (Ross) McCrimmon (née Campbell). His role as a grandfather to Dasch was one he embraced with joy. He was predeceased by his parents, Katharine Campbell (née Kilgour) and Dr. Donald Dennison Campbell, as well as his first wife, Gladys Campbell (née Munro).
An alumnus of the University of Guelph, Don earned degrees in Crop Science. His passion for the land was evident in his dedicated farming both in Dunnville and Embro (Bennington Station Farms), spanning over half a century.
Life’s trials, including the untimely loss of Gladys at 33 and a life-altering collision with a deer at 55, only strengthened DK’s resolve to live each day with purpose and to check things off his bucket list as soon as possible. His later years were enriched with pursuits such as competitive and recreational sailing, golf, reading, engaging in discussion groups, photography, and botanical hikes with the Field Botanists of Ontario, where he often sought out rare ferns and orchids. A lifelong naturalist, DK planted hundreds of trees over his lifetime, expanded our knowledge of rare plant habitats, and was an avid bird watcher since childhood.
While there will be no traditional funeral, a garden gathering will be announced in the future, allowing friends and loved ones to share memories and celebrate DK ‘s life. In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Don’s commitment to the environment by donating to The Nature Conservancy of Canada (natureconservancy.ca) or supporting the VON Sakura House (vonsakurahouse.com). In memory of Don’s love for literature, he hoped that individuals would purchase two books by Canadian authors from local bookstores, like Fanfare Books in Stratford: one for a young reader in your life and another for personal enjoyment, to be passed on when the time feels right.