{"id":428138,"date":"2020-04-21T12:34:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T19:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=428138"},"modified":"2020-04-21T18:44:40","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T01:44:40","slug":"kevin-thorburn-etobicoke-director-of-swimming-dies-at-63","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/kevin-thorburn-etobicoke-director-of-swimming-dies-at-63\/","title":{"rendered":"Passages: Kevin Thorburn, Etobicoke Director of Swimming, Dies at 63"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kevin Thorburn<\/strong>, the director of swimming and high performance coach at Etobicoke Swim Club in Ontario, passed away Tuesday at age 63.<\/p>\n

Etobicoke announced Thorburn\u2019s death on its Facebook page<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Head Coach Kevin Thorburn. Our thoughts and condolences are with Coach Thorburn\u2019s family and friends. As the head of the ESWIM family, he will be deeply missed – Kevin Thorburn – 1956-2020\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thorburn coached 18 Canadian champions, including Olympians Brittany MacLean, Amanda Reason, Rylie Mants, Jenna Gresdal<\/strong> and Alexa Komarnycky.<\/strong> He was a member of the Canadian staff for the Olympics in 1996, 2012 and 2016. He\u2019s also coached at three World Championships (Long- and Short-Course), two Commonwealth Games, three Pan Pacific Championships and three Junior World Championships, including as the head coach in 2006.<\/p>\n

MacLean posted a lengthy tribute to Thorburn on Instagram that reads in part:<\/p>\n

“Kevin, you shaped me into the person I am today. For over 20 years, you have led Etobicoke Swimming to excellence far beyond the 8 lanes of the Olympium. \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for instilling in me the importance of my impact on the next generation and keeping me involved with the team throughout my retirement. ESWIM was the only club I ever represented, and I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. This team truly means the world to me, and you connected us all through hard work and a sense of purpose.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

My heart is heavy today as we mourn the loss of one of best on the pool deck. Kevin, you shaped me into the person I am today. For over 20 years, you have led Etobicoke Swimming to excellence far beyond the 8 lanes of the Olympium. You had the experience, knowledge, and pride for what you did and everyone that was coached or mentored by you, could see that. You brought me from my first national standard, through two Olympic Games, and finally we got to share that podium together. I\u2019m forever grateful for the lessons I learned, lifelong friends I met, and places I went due to the opportunities you gave me. Thank you for instilling in me the importance of my impact on the next generation and keeping me involved with the team throughout my retirement. ESWIM was the only club I ever represented, and I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. This team truly means the world to me, and you connected us all through hard work and a sense of purpose. I\u2019m so thankful for the journey we went on together. You were more than my coach; I trusted you with my dreams, and they were all exceeded. Your swimmers were your family, your passion, and the cause of a few greys. Here\u2019s to every 2\u2019s warmup, every Friday that Bog tried to convince you for a get out swim, and every joke we didn\u2019t laugh at until you told us that we should. I miss you already. #EswimForever #Lane2 #DJKtrix<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by britt_mac3<\/a> (@britt_mac3) on