Dean Cady

It is not often that a one-design sailor contributes to the improvement of sailing and sailboat racing.  However, Dean Cady is one of those.

Dean started sailing in a rowboat using an umbrella for the sail.  He made it work. That attitude prevailed through his sailing career.  He elected to join the Lightning class to have his children, two daughters and one son, sail with him in all the races in which he participated.  He was an excellent teacher, for he regularly was at the top of the fleet. His talents were noticed and he was invited to race on offshore boats in both the Chicago and Port Huron Mackinac Races.

Dean joined Milwaukee Yacht Club in 1961 and in addition to his sailing, he elected to volunteer in the sport by becoming a US Sailing certified Race Officer and Judge.  He was asked and accepted the charge to be Regatta Chair for the 1983 Finn Gold Cup, that class’ World Championship, with a fleet of 94 boats off shore at Milwaukee.  In addition to that, he has been the Principal Race Officer for many national regattas sponsored by Milwaukee Yacht Club. 

He served as a judge for over 20 years for the Chicago and Port Huron Mackinac Races. Additionally, his judging activity included the 2006 US Singlehanded National Championship in Milwaukee and many times at Antigua Sailing Week.  He was Chief Judge for Milwaukee Yacht Club for many years and served on numerous juries.

Dean has been a World Sailing (formerly International Sailing Federation) International Judge, US Sailing Senior Judge, was the US Sailing Chair of the Championship of Champions and served on the US Sailing Singlehanded Championships Committee.  He has served as Lightning Class Vice President, was Head of Rules and Regulations, and is a Past Commodore – International Lightning Class Association Midwest District.

Dean spent many years active in Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation leadership, serving as Judge Advocate, Chair of the Grants-In-Aid Committee, Appeals Committee, Donation Committee and is a past Commodore.

Finally, Dean was named to the 1982 Merritt R. Hayes Memorial Trophy-Yachtsman of the Year Award at Milwaukee Yacht Club. All this occurred with the continued loving and support from his lovely wife, Lois.

LMSRF proudly inducts Dean Cady into the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame. 

March 30, 2023
Dean Cady was nominated by the Board of Directors of Milwaukee Yacht Club.