OTTAWA, ON: It is with a heavy heart that Skate Canada says goodbye to cherished Hall of Famer Donald Gilchrist. He passed away peacefully at age 95 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Gilchrist of Toronto, was a champion for figure skating and synchronized skating throughout his life.

His skating career began as a national and international competitor and then went on to become a judge. He began officiating at the international level in 1951 and judged several world championships and Olympic Games over his career. His technical expertise filled a tremendous need in the growing years of figure skating in Canada. Gilchrist was the first Canadian delegate to participate at the 1951 International Skating Union (ISU) Congress.

For the next 40 years Gilchrist was active in every technical aspect of the highest-ranking skating competitions. An event referee at countless competitions, he was made an honorary member of the ISU when he retired in 1992. Gilchrist was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 1996 and was induced into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2006.

Skate Canada offers its sincere sympathies to Gilchrist’s family and friends.