Charles “Terry” Provost, who served as the Racing Secretary for several Canadian Standardbred tracks, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6.
Provost was quoted as saying that there was never a day that he did not want to go to work! From horse owner and the “worst groom ever (his words),” he started as Racing Secretary at Paterson Park, Ladner, B.C., in 1968, later working at Connaught Park, Orangeville Raceway and Frontenac Downs through the early 1970s. He served as Racing Secretary at Western Fair Raceway from 1973 through 1991 and as a Judge for the Ontario Racing Commission from 1992 to 2014.
He was honoured by The Raceway at Western Fair District with his induction into London’s Wall of Fame in 2012. He was welcomed that night with the following words: “Terry ran the race office with skill, imagination and an innate ability to classify horses in order to ensure the most competitive races possible... He was a visionary and introduced races and innovative events including stakes for claimers which were unheard of at that time but commonplace now.”
In July 2019, he lost his wife of 43 years, June-Marie, to Alzheimer’s. They had met and married while at Western Fair but later (at age 56), she was encouraged to start race walking by her husband. She won more than 400 medals in competitions on five continents and was a member of the London Sports Hall of Fame.
Provost was a longtime member of the American Harness Racing Secretaries, Inc., joining in 1974. He received the honour of Lifetime Membership in 2016.
He is survived by June-Marie’s children, Robert Elms, Lois Bergen, Mark and Gabriele Elms, Jennifer and Ken Dungavell, Melanie Elms, Steve Thomas, and Sherri Elms (Brad). He was preceded in death by her youngest son, Capt. Brad Elms.
Update: A date has been set for Terry's celebration of life, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Highland Golf & Country Club in London, Ont.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Terry Provost.
(With files from USTA)