Oct. 26, 2005: Rowing Remembers Mark Lowry
Mark Lowry, the COC's head administrator and former rowing executive director, is remembered by many as a strong leader, who put athletes first and brought great enthusiasm to the sport community. Lowry died at home on October 21 after a two-year battle with cancer. (photo: www.olympic.ca)
“Mark was a great friend to the sport community and will be sorely missed. We have lost a leader and a friend and offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends in Canada and around the world,” said Rowing Canada Aviron President John Carmichael. “He was a mentor to many within the sporting world in Canada and most noticeably in rowing, serving as Executive Director of Rowing Canada during the resurgence of the sport through the '90s. Mark helped develop many world class athletes and was highly respected by Olympic champions.”
Bob Ellard, former president of the Canadian Amateur Rowing Association (now Rowing Canada Aviron), hired Lowry as the organization’s executive director. “If there was one compelling reason for hiring Mark it was his passion and infectious enthusiasm for absolutely everything.
Three weeks ago - and 19 years after I first met him - I spoke with Mark from his home. He had that same passion and enthusiasm for life, and he spoke courageously and optimistically about his battle with pancreatic cancer.”
During his tenure as rowing’s executive director, Lowry was known for putting athletes first.
“That focus, coupled with Mark’s leadership, passion and enthusiasm, brought tremendous results to Canadian rowing over the past 20 years, both internationally and domestically. If one could have bottled Mark’s enthusiasm you would have one of the purest and most efficient energy sources ever – enough to power a small city,” said Ellard.
Marnie McBean, one of rowing’s most successful athletes, told the Globe and Mail: "I knew him as a good friend and a trusted adviser. Whenever there was a committee set up to revamp sport in this country, if I saw Mark's name on the committee I knew I could trust it."
Michael Murphy, a past Rowing Canada president, also worked closely with Lowry. “Mark was a significant player in the resurgence of Canadian rowing in the early '90s. … I was always impressed with the person and his many abilities - his kindness, friendliness, competence, determination, leadership and vision. He was truly one of the great sport administrators in Canada”
Brian Richardson, former Canadian head rowing coach and COC international performance director, received the news in Australia, where he is currently coaching. “It is an understatement to say that I am in shock and feel extremely sad about the news. It is a great loss to Canadian sport and his family.”
Lowry joined the COC in June of 1997 as the Executive Director, Sport with overall responsibility for facilitating and directing Canada’s participation at the Olympic and Pan American Games, athlete and coach programming, and support to National Sport Federations. Prior to joining the COC, he held various positions within the Canadian sport movement, including Executive Director of the Canadian Amateur Rowing Association.
Lowry leaves his wife Jennifer and his son, Brendan, 20.
The COC, in response to the wishes of the Lowry family, has established The Mark Lowry Memorial Fund to benefit Canada’s Olympic athletes and coaches.
One of Canada’s most accomplished rowers, Silken Laumann, spoke at the memorial service at St. Paul High School in Ottawa, and rowing was represented by Wes Kuran of the Ottawa Rowing Club.
•Cards can be sent to the
COC Toronto office,
21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 900,
Toronto, Ont. M4T 1L9.
Cheques for the fund can be made out to the Canadian Olympic Committee with a notation on the front or back that it is for the Mark Lowry Memorial Fund.
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