(July 17, 2006)
| |
Osborne Colson and Barbara Ann Scott at 2006 BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships |
Skate Canada is mourning the loss of legendary skating coach Osborne Colson, who passed away on Friday, July 14 in Toronto.
Colson, 90, who coached at the Granite Club in Toronto, had quite the list of talented skating pupils, including national champions Karen Preston and Don Laws, as well as 2005 Canadian Junior Champion Patrick Chan and choreographer Sara Kawahara. Colson has also worked with Barbara Ann Scott, the 1948 Olympic Champion and two-time world champion.
In addition to his solid record as a coach, Colson was also a successful skater. A two-time Canadian Champion, Colson retired from amateur skating and went on to star with the Ice Follies in 1937.
He turned to coaching in 1946 and taught at clubs in Washington, Cleveland and Toronto, as well as summer schools in Barrie, Ont. and Simcoe, Ont. In 1960 he formed the Banff School of Fine Arts Summer Skating School, which, for 10 years, provided the unique blend of dance, theatre and skating and the innovation of team coaching.
Colson was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in the coach category in 1995, and he was recognized for his outstanding coaching achievements in being awarded the Skate Canada Competitive Coach Award of Excellence at the association’s annual awards gala in June 2005 in Winnipeg.
Skate Canada passes along its condolences to all of Colson’s friends and extended skating family.
Donations to the Skate Canada Athlete Fund in memory of Osborne Colson can be made through the Skate Canada national office at 1-888-747-2372, extension 2519, or click here to print off a donation form. A celebration of Colson’s life will be scheduled for the fall. More details will follow at a later date.