Rowing Canada Aviron's VP - Marketing John Anderson, died after a multi-vehicle accident yesterday on the 401 near London, Ontario.
John Anderson, who was 62 and a long-time member of RCA's Executive Committee, retired from a position as a senior manager at an advertising firm (Maclaren) in 2001 and was working for City Buick Pontiac Cadillac Ltd., Toronto, as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was returning from the Detroit Auto Show when he was involved in a 16-vehicle accident in severe white-out conditions.
"John was a dynamic, charismatic, effective leader who brought a laser-like approach to things. He saw the big picture and advised the RCA Executive and Board brilliantly over his many years of service," said Rowing Canada Aviron Executive Director Alan Roaf. "We are just shell-shocked. John will be missed by his many friends in rowing."
John Anderson's wife Janet and two daughters, Melinda and Bronwyn, were at the London hospital last night.
Rowing Canada President John Carmichael, Chairman and CEO of City Buick Pontiac Cadillac Ltd., Toronto, worked with John Anderson in the car business and on the Rowing Canada board. Carmichael's son, Michael, and another City Buick employee, Sam Cunsolo, were travelling with Anderson, but received only minor injuries.
Anderson, a board member of RCA since 1996, was also a member of Hanlan Boat Club in Toronto.
"John Anderson was one of the great builders of rowing in Canada at both domestic and international levels (he also worked with FISA's marketing commission)," said Michael Murphy, who was president of RCA when Anderson joined the organization in his volunteer role. "His tremendous passion for the sport, and his considerable skills as a professional marketer, brought rowing into the new millennium."
Further details will be communicated as they become available.