8 bells: Tribute to Helen Cuthbertson

Helen Cuthbertson

Nov 10, 2022

by JohnKelly Cuthbertson

Mom passed October 25 in her 88th year. Here is an article I wrote for International Women’s Day on her contribution to C&C.

C&C comes from Cuthbertson and Cassian. In the archiving of the history of George Harding Cuthbertson’s work, I’ve come across many names associated with the creation of the company and of my Dad’s legacy. There is scant reference to one of the important persons that worked from almost day one to make my Dad and C&C Yachts the success it became. Helen Isabelle Donaldson was born in Teeswater, a small farming community in southern Ontario into a large family.

As a young lady she moved to Toronto and worked for CIL chemical company on Eastern Avenue. Up for some adventure she moved to California with Joy, one of her girlfriends from work. There she worked for a brassiere salesman for almost 2 years before coming back to Toronto.

One summer evening, at a social gathering of sailors with her boyfriend, she stole another young man’s heart. The second date was a road trip to Meaford with George, Bernice and Dick Telford to see the progress of Inishfree. In 1959, they got married.

She became the support that GHC needed. Cooking meals for surprise guests at their house in Port Credit, and if those guests agreed over dessert, she would quickly type up a contract and another boat was sold. Michael, the first child was born while George was off sailing, GHC was sure to be home for Jill’s and my birth. Helen looked after us kids, taking us to camps, riding lessons and sports, maintaining the house for those surprise guests.

She was the support that Dad needed to build the company. And her contribution has never truly been recognized.

Love you Mom, thank you.

 

Related Articles


New Boats: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 – A Sleek, Good -Looking Delight To Sail

By Katherine Stone

There is nothing more that I enjoy than being with friends and messing about in boats. Messing about in brand-new boats on a champagne sailing day on Lake Ontario at the beginning of the summer doesn’t get any better. To have the new owner, Helmuth Strobel and Anchor Yachts dealer Pancho Jimenez aboard made it even more special, as they can also speak to what they truly enjoy about the boat. We keep our own boat in a harbour that has a long waiting list for boats over 35 feet, so this little gem would definitely fit the bill and feels like a much bigger boat. True to the spirit of the 7th generation Oceanis line, the 34.1 is built in Poland and replaces the 35.1. It is 1,000 lbs lighter, 14 cm narrower and has 29% more sail area.

Read More


Destinations

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has Reopened

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has opened its rebuilt and re-envisioned luxury private island in 2024 after the property closures from the Virgin Islands’ 2017 hurricane season. Peter Island Resort has been undergoing its transformation for over six years. Its evolution includes brand new and upgraded accommodations and new state-of-the-art facilities and five stellar beaches amid hundreds of acres of unspoiled tropical island.

Peter Island Yacht Club

The new Yacht Club will be a must on the itineraries of sailors, boaters and yachtsmen with a marina that can accommodate a range of vessels from power boats, sailboats and catamarans, to super yachts of up to 200 feet. Located in Sprat Bay harbor, the Yacht Club will be its own destination with a dedicated swimming pool for Yacht Club guests, Drunken Pelican restaurant and bar, a commissary, Sea Chest Boutique and a sports recreation area with pickleball, basketball and bocce ball courts and a lawn-games area. To protect the coral reef and marine life surrounding the island, moorings will be located in White Bay, Sprat Bay, Deadman’s Bay…

Read More