Tollyclub Past Commodores
In 1995, David Ellard (The Good Years) became the first Commodore of the Tollycraft Boating Club. Since then, numerous men and women have volunteered to provide leadership as the club grew from just a few Tollys to more than 250. Thank you to our Tollyclub Past Commodores.
David Ellard ~ 1995
David Ellard was the 1st commodore of the Tollycraft Boating Club in 1995. Along with wife Pam, David was a member long before the club officially began in 1988.
They held the first rendezvous in 1985 with five boats in attendance. Later, in Poulsbo, 13 boats attended.
To generate club interest, David worked the boat show in the Kingdome at the Western Yacht Sales Tollycraft area.
In these early years, dues were about $20 a year and both David and Pam wore many “hats” within the club. One of these “hats” was spending hundreds of hours accumulating hull numbers, boat names and owners, Thanks to their hard work, the club grew resulting in David composing the basic club by-laws.
David and Pam bought their beloved Tolly, “THE GOOD YEARS” in 1982. Now retired as a yacht captain, David and Pam live aboard their Tolly in Elliot Bay Marina
George Haskin ~ 1996
Howard Glazer ~ 1997, 2000, 2001
Doug Filer ~ 1998
Ken Pearson ~ 1999
Don Ballew ~ 2002
Dan Eastlick ~ 2003
Lee Worthy ~ 2004
Rheta Pearson ~ 2005
Norm Culbert ~ 2006
Kirk Gronvold ~ 2007
Dave Tosch ~ 2008
Steve Monrad ~ 2009
Cara Clark ~ 2010
Joined the Tollycraft Boating Club: 2004
Occupation: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (semi-retired)
What she’s doing today: Native Texan now living life in New Braunfels, Texas (between Austin & San Antonio). My Tolly 30, “Enough Time” is moored in Anacortes, WA and I enjoy cruising WA and BC waters in summer.
Her favourite Tollycraft Boating Club memory: The “Margaritaville Rendezvous in 2008! One of the largest rendezvous held at Roche Harbor. Never ending fun and memories.
She joined the Tollycraft Boating Club Bridge because: I wanted to get more involved with Tollyclub, meet new people who loved boats like me, and give back to an organization that allowed me to make so many life long friends.
What she’s most proud of during her time as the Tollyclub commodore: We were able to attract a higher than usual number of Canadian Tollys. That number varies throughout the years, but one of my goals was to make it as high as possible.
Her Rendezvous theme and its inspiration: Tolly Fiesta “Fiesta de Barco”; Being a native Texan, Fiesta was a way of life! Fiestas are celebrations, getting people together to have fun! That fit the Tollyclub perfectly!
Her Tolly: Enough Time, 1988, Tolly 30 Sport Cruiser
Final thoughts: Buying a Tollycraft opened up a world of new friends who share my love of boats. Some of my very best friends are people I met at my first Tolly Mini at La Conner in Sept 2004. Many of those people are cruising companions today as well as personal best friends.
Brett Peck ~ 2011
Bob Erwin ~ 2012
Mike McCormick ~ 2013
Lori Potts ~ 2014
Joined the Tollycraft Boating Club: 2002 ( the last Rendezvous held in Port Orchard)
Spouse/Partner: Steven Holmes
Occupation: Hardware Engineer (retired)
What she’s doing today: I am so busy now that I am retired!
Her favourite Tollycraft Boating Club memory: There are too many to just pick one. But one fond memory was our first rendezvous in Port Orchard when the “red shirt’ brigade greeted almost every boat and made sure we were tied up securely.
She joined the Tollycraft Boating Club Bridge because: My husband was obsessed with Tollycrafts.
What she’s most proud of during her time as the Tollyclub commodore: The friendships I have made and having a successful rendezvous, without my husband. The Tollyclub has always been so welcoming, and have always had my back.
Challenges she and her bridge overcame while she was commodore: Sadly, you cannot always please everyone. Listening to complaints and not being able to resolve them at the last minute were the most challenging.
Her Rendezvous theme and its inspiration: My theme was a country “Round Up”. Love country music and hoped to have a line dance or square dance, which we did have an instructor for square dancing!
Her Tollys: Lori Ann II (Godot),1984 Tolly 34 Tri Cabin and Lori Ann, 1978 Tolly 26 (current boat)
Mark Wilson ~ 2015
Jim Maddox ~ 2016
Joined the Tollycraft Boating Club: 2005
Spouse/Partner: Marilyn Maddox
Occupation: Retired,
What he’s doing today: We
His favourite Tollycraft Boating Club memory: Every
He joined the Tollycraft Boating Club Bridge because:At
What he’s most proud of during his time as the Tollyclub commodore: Surviving
Challenges he and his bridge overcame while he was commodore: Just
His Rendezvous theme and its inspiration: Marilyn’
His Tollys: We
Pete Simpson ~ 2017
Keith Christenson ~ 2018
Duane Oswald ~ 2019
Pierce Hoover ~ 2020
Joined the Tollycraft Boating Club: September
Spouse/Partner: Sharon Hoover
Occupation: Marathon
What he’s doing today: Recently
His favourite Tollycraft Boating Club memory: Every
He joined the Tollycraft Boating Club Bridge because: I
What he’s most proud of during his time as the Tollyclub commodore: Boy
Challenges he and his bridge overcame while he was commodore: COVID-
His Rendezvous theme and its inspiration: Tollyribean.
His Tolly: Island Time, 1977, Tolly 37 Sedan
Paul Jones ~ 2021
Sandra Lewis ~ 2022
Shifty, Sandra’s first Tolly, had her at TEAL. She fell in love with the lines and the infamous color of the brand. Sandra and her husband, Trevor are fully invested in Tolly.
It seemed like it was just minutes, and she was contributing as a member of the Tollycraft Boating Club Bridge! Sandra’s support of prior commodores and leadership as commodore has been transformative! Her creativity and talent for communication reinvigorated the club!
Leaning strong on her communications skills, Sandra created opportunities for members to connect in a variety of ways. Under her guidance the club website became an efficient hub for club information, event registration, and membership.
During Covid, she created the Zoom Docktails, which was a great way to get the group together both near and far. Our members looked forward to the Zoom calls and we saw the club engage members outside of the PNW.
Sandra accomplished what may have been a first, serving as the big cheese for the Canadian Tollycruisers, as well as the Commodore for the Tollycraft Boating Club. A lot of us look at her with amazement and wonder, “How does she do it all?” Sandra has been a mentor and positive influence, shaping the future of the club leadership. She is always willing to help others.
Sandra oozes Tolly Club and brand history. She made sure this valuable information was shared on the club Facebook page, our website, and at club events. Of course, our members are central to any telling of history. Her view was always toward the future, growing the Tolly brand and drawing others in to experience the joy of the Tolly community.
Sandra’s rendezvous theme was inspired by her love of fun and Dr. Seuss, Seussical the Rendezvous(ical) was a smashing success! Two significant leadership changes that made the event truly special were Sandra’s engagement of volunteers and the delegation of tasks along the bridge. We all loved getting involved in the event at a new level!
Most recently, their first love, Shifty, received an engine rebuild. This could possibly be Sandra’s favourite get around vessel. Second in command and their liveaboard is Shiloh. Talk about a beautiful home!
Shiloh might just be her muse as she creates delicious food, shares beautiful photos and creates intriguing web designs, blogs and shares all things Tolly (possibly her second love to Trevor?).
Sandra is appreciated more than words can fully express, our club will retain her indelible mark and contributions for years to come!
Steve Dittoe ~ 2023
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