Monday, April 12, 2004
Donald MacDonald was one of the founders, if not the main inspiration behind the Toronto Hydroplane Club, established in 1951. We had the good fortune of having Don and his wife Lee attend our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2001. He kindly donated the bulk of his hard won trophies to his club that same year and they are on display along with a considerable portion of Lake Ontario hydroplane racing history at the club on Ashbridge's Bay Road in Toronto. Reading of Don's achievements in racing and organizing hydroplane events throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s introduces you to quite the host of characters including Allan Lamport, His Excellency Roland Michener and Guy Lombardo. Don further favoured the club with a donation that we turned into a new multi purpose (but still fast) boat named Mac 1 in his honour. We were hoping that Don could make the formal launch of his new boat this year but it was not to be. He lived a long and full life and there are not many of his contemporaries around to share stories of his life but rest assured Don that we at Toronto Hydroplane and Sailing Club remember and appreciate.