THE INDUSTRY MOURNS THE LOSS OF LLOYD CRATE
It is with great sadness that the Crate Family announced the passing of their beloved Father, Grandpa and Poppy – Lloyd Crate. The obituary said, "surrounded by his loving family at his home, Lloyd left us at the age of 89 years young. Lloyd was the patriarch of the Crate Family and a leader in the boating industry and he will be deeply missed by everyone whose life he touched. Special thanks is given to all his support staff, especially Donna and Bev, who added so much joy to his life in his final days."
The visitation was held at Taylor Funeral Home and the funeral services were at Knox United Church, both in Sutton, followed by a Celebration of Life at Crate Marine Sales in Keswick.
Lloyd's eulogy was delivered by family members and friends who shared the more personal side to the man who became such an industry leader and who left such a rich legacy. Lloyd leaves his four children, and twenty one grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In a story published by the Georgina Advocate newspaper, key details of Lloyd Crate's life and family history paint the picture of a hard-working and honest man whose family has gone on to be perhaps Canada's largest marina and marine dealership. His father originally started the business in Keswick, in the summer of 1930 as a fishing boat rental business. The business came to be called F.S. Crate and Sons and at first they built building small fishing boats, expanding during the 1940s to larger launches and cruisers, many of which were custom-built.
In 1964, Lloyd took over the helm of that business and by 1987, became the sole owner changing the name from F.S. Crate and Sons to become Crate Marine Sales Limited as it is known today.
The Crate operation doubled in size after purchasing neighboring Dawson's Marina, then later expanded to Lagoon City in 2005, purchasing Willow Beach Marina in 2009 and opening Crates Port McNicholl on Georgian Bay in 2010. The company continued to expand with sales and service offices in Port Credit and Montréal. They are now open in Belleville, Ontario as well. Crate Marine Sales has been recognized as one of Carver's largest dealers worldwide, a top dealer for Carver Yachts, Regal SportBoats and SportYachts, Marquis Yachts, Cruisers Yachts and the Cruisers Sport Series. Lloyd's legacy is carried on by his daughter Lynn, sons Greg, Steve and Brian through the network of world-class marinas.
