Hall of Fame

1989 Hall of Fame Inductees

Gerald (Gerry) Angel
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Mr. Gerry Angel was born in St. John's and educated at St. Partick's Hall School.

As a young man Gerry became interested in Rowing and at the age of 15 started his rowing career. He was considered a superior oarsman and continued for 10 years. Several years after his retirement from rowing he was invited to be a member of the St. John's Regatta Committee in June 1946. In his first year he was asked to take over as Secretary of the Boathouse and Pond Committee. This position he held for lO years. In 1957 and '58 he was elected as Hon. Secretary of the St. John's Regatta Committee. From 1958 to 1962 he was Vice Chairman of the Boathouse and Pond Committee. In 1963 the body saw the potential of this young man so they elected him Vice President. The following year he was voted President of the Regatta Committee, the position he held until 1967 when he declined nomination. From 1968 to 1980 Gerry was Chairman of the Past Presidents Committee. In 1981 the Committee could not find a suitable candidate to take over the position as Hon. Asst. Secretary so Gerry was called upon once again. In 1982 he was named Hon. Life President, a position no other member of the St. John's Regatta Committee was ever named. Gerry still attends meetings and assists in all activities - Judge, Timekeeper, etc.

In 1952 Gerry Angel was Secretary of the New Boat Committee. Mike Howley has produced a detailed set of plans of the Blue Peter I in that year Gerry made contact with Jencraft of Kelowna B.C. and four new boats were obtained for the 1953 Regatta. The boats were Blue-Peter IV, Royalist II. Telegram and Bob Section II. They were so successful that this Committee tried to purchase four more, but Jencraft were out of business. In 1962 Gerry made contact with Sims in Toronto and four new boats were built. They were Miss India, Miss CJON, Royalist III and Blue Peter VI. The Caribou was brought in during 1965 and these Sims shells were excellent. In 1966 this Committee ordered four more shells to ensure that we have five shells for Regatta Day. The extra one as a backup in case of an accident and also four boats of exactly the same type for practice. Having nine shells from the same builder was a giant step forward. The last shells purchased were Blue Peter YI, Kitty Vitty, Viking and Native. Gerry Angel felt that having nine shells would ensure the continuation of the Regatta. Thirteen shells were purchased from 1953 to 1967.

Gerry Angel is firm in his determination to have these 3 events firmly entrenched in Regatta history and recognized by the general public of st. John's

As a member of various other sub-committees, Gerry endeavored to see that new members joining the Committee would carry on the tradition and that oarsmen, coxswains and other interested citizens be also brought in. He is very proud of the fact that he was one of the Sponsors of the first lady member of the Committee, Gale Malone. There are now 3 ladies on the Committee (1986)

A great admirer of the late Jimmy Clancy, Hon. Secretary of the Regatta Committee, for many years. and a member of the Nfld. Sports Hall of Fame. Gerry spearheaded a successful request to have Jimmy's name perpetuated by the St. John's Municipal Council by naming the Road from Carnell drive, down past the Boathouse "Clancy Drive."

Although honoured by the Committee, as Hon. Life President, Angel's interest in all Regatta matters never waned and he is further honoured by the fact that he may attend meetings, act as a timer or a judge for races on Regatta Day or time trials, and still be a part of the great "Day of the Races". He is also pleased that his son Robert J. (Bob) Angel, after 2 years as the Hon. Secretary, was elected to the position of Hon. Treasurer in 1986. He is also happy that one of his 4 sons, John, was considered a good oarsman competed in the 1974, 5 & 6 regattas and rowed in the Championship Race of 1977 with the olympic Track Crew. One of this 2 daughters Cathy (Mrs. Bob Squires) also rowed one year in the Ladies Races.

One of the founders and secretary of the Catholic Boys Club for several years, he saw members of that Club rowing in the Annual Regatta.

President of the Patrician Association, in 1944 he was pleased to see how much Patrician Crews contributed to the Regatta.

As a member of the Newfoundland Hiking Club, he rowed with several of their crews and encouraged members to participate.

While on the staff of the Newfoundland Brewery Ltd. he watched a crew from that company win the Factory Race in 1962 in "Miss India" a boat the company donated.

In the year of 1966, Jack Reardigan who was interested in sliding seat rowing, consulted Gerry Angel who at the time was Pres. of the St. John's Regatta Committee to see if sliding seat rowing could be introduced into Nfld. With much opposition Gerry Angel sent Jack Reardigan to Wyandotte in Detroit to purchase the first coxed four sliding seat. This shell was later used to train a crew to compete in the First Canada Summer Games in Halifax.

Mr. Angel is a very dedicated and independent gentleman. He was an exceptional husband and father. He went beyond the confines of his home to become involved in, and indeed a leader of many, organizations.

In April 1965 he received from Pope Paul VI a Papal Medal (Pro Ecclesia et Pontific), for his outstanding Church work, as he was Tres. of the Fall Festival Committee for twenty years.

He was the second President of the Patricians Assoc , Tres. of the St. John's Tourist Commission, and also he was Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Hall of Fame in 1979-80.

Headline: Jerry Angel Saves Boy from Drowning

At the dock premises last Saturday Jerry Angel of T.H. Estabrook's, while at the dry dock on business for his firm, saw a small boy accidently fall over the wharf into the water. Without hesitation, just as he stood, plunged into the chilly water and rescued the little boy, swimming with him to a boat near by when they were helped into it by two men who happened to be quite near. It was stated by on-lookers to be a plucky rescue. Jerry is a splendid swimmer and his heroic action under the circumstances deserves further recognition.