March 5/03 8:32 am - Sad News

Posted by Editor on 03/5/03
 

Sad News

Jim Broomfield passed away this morning at an Ottawa hospital. Jim was a UCI commissaire, former provincial chief commissaire, trainer of many officials (including myself), former member of the CCA Technical Commission and a a member of Canadian cycling as far back as the Canadian Wheelmen's Association.

Jim was a tireless supporter of cycling as an official and a volunteer. He was actually our first subscriber when we started this publication, walking up and handing me money for a subscription just based on faith that we would publish it. Over the years, he has cut back on his duties (he spent considerable time in Florida), but whenever I saw him (last time was at the Road Nationals last year), he wanted to discuss cycling: recent rides we had seen and the state of the sport.

Jim started his life-long passion for cycling with track racing in 1947, on the Paddington Track in London, England. He moved to Canada in 1953, and was one of the 'English mafia' that organized cycling at the Canadian Wheelmen's Association through the late '50s and '60s until the formation of the CCA.

A service will be held in Ottawa at Kelly Funeral Homes, next Tuesday (March 12th) at 1:00 pm. The address is 585 Somerset Street West. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Jim are requested.

We will miss you Jim.

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