
Joseph Creighton Lyttle (1939-2023)
Row Ontario would like to extend our deepest condolences regarding the passing of long-time rowing community member Joe Lyttle. Joe passed away on Sunday, March 26. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family, friends, and everyone who knew him in the rowing community.
Throughout his involvement in rowing, Joe wore many hats including rower, coach, regatta chair, umpire, and club leader. The amount of time he spent volunteering with many different rowing-related organizations and in many different roles led to him becoming a legendary figure in Ontario rowing circles. He initially got his start in rowing as a lightweight competitor, rowing alongside his brother Alex at the Argonaut Rowing Club which began a 65+ year association with the Toronto-based club. He did a little bit of everything at the club over the years which led to him being described as the ‘beating heart of rowing at Argo’s’.
One of Joe’s most prominent volunteer positions was President of the Central Ontario Rowing Association (CORA), which he served as for 40 years (1979-2019). He was also the Regatta Chair of the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta for many years, a member of the Dominion Day Regatta Association since 1975, and organized countless regatta’s for Argo’s and other organizations. He served as Chair of both the RCA and Row Ontario Umpires Committee and was always a teacher and mentor for many in the umpiring community.
In 2021, Joe was inducted into the Builders category of the Row Ontario Hall of Fame.
Information on the visitation and funeral for Joe can be found here.