Edward Whiting Lockwood Sr.
Former New Suffolk summer resident, Ned Lockwood of Traverse City, Mich. passed away peacefully on June 2, 2015. He was 88.
Born August 25, 1926, to William Bruce and Mary Hudnut Lockwood in Boston, Mass., Ned was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked with his family’s steel business, Cold Metal Products Company in Youngstown, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind., Engineering Research firm in Indianapolis, Ind., and was owner of The Country Camping Store in Zionsville, Ind. before he settled his family in Traverse City in the 1960s. Ned was a math, history and shop teacher at Long Lake School and Mesick Schools, opened Traverse Harbor Marina and worked in multiple facets of the sailing industry across Northwestern Michigan. In his retirement he enjoyed distributing the Northern Express weekly newspaper.
Ned’s first and enduring love was sailing. He came from a storied family of sailors from the Midwest and Long Island. He was a dapper gentleman who could set you straight on and off the water. A top collegiate racer, Ned was honored with an invitation to the 1948 Olympic Trials and was hailed “Sailor of the Year” in Indianapolis in 1964. He was a founding member of Indianapolis Sailing Club, an active member of Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago and a lifelong member of the Grand Traverse Yacht Club (GTYC) in Traverse City.
Ned’s passion in life was to share the joy and competitive spirit of sailing. He launched the Youth Sailing Program at GTYC. From dinghies in his youth, to Olympic class one designs, to J-24s, Melges 24s and various offshore racing boats, he sailed on nearly every type of boat. Ned was an intense competitor on the water, having won multiple national and regional championship titles. He never missed a Wednesday night race, the last of which was in late May on the racing yacht Liberty where he was tactician. Ned cherished the camaraderie and friendships of the sailing community and was famous for challenging everyone to enjoy the view of his transom as he raced to the finish line.
Ned was a refined pianist with a passion for music. He minored in piano performance in college, was an avid supporter of Interlochen Center for the Arts, and continued playing daily throughout his life. He was the ultimate ski racing fan and would often be seen on the hill supporting his children and grandchildren.
Waiting in Heaven for him are his twin sister Mary Oakes, and his brothers Bruce and John. Ned was an involved, hands-on dad, and is survived by his children Linda Lockwood (Stacy Horton) of San Francisco Bay Area, Gale Lockwood (Kirk Arndt) of Oxford, England, Ted (Deb) Lockwood of Traverse City, Heather Lockwood (Bob)Clark of Traverse City and Bruce(Kelli)Lockwood of Elk Rapids, Mich. Ned enjoyed his ten grandchildren and nine nieces and nephews immensely and loved his dear friend and caregiver Sandy Egeler.
A celebration of his life will start at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Grand Traverse Yacht Club. Ned’s celebration of life ceremony will be held from 6pm to 7pm. A continued informal time will be held into the evening with the family.
In his honor donations may be made to the Traverse Area Community Sailing (TACS), c/o TACS Permanent Endowment Fund, P.O Box 4149, Traverse City, MI 49685 and/or Interlochen Center for the Arts, c/o Advancement Office P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, MI, 49643.
Please visit Ned’s webpage at www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book, share a message and view his Life Story Video and more. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.
This is a paid notice.
