National Capital Chapter 70 - Ottawa, Canada
VE3CT Biography 
Croft B. Taylor - SK - QCWA# 10160 (Silent Key)
Background
Croft grew up in London, Ontario.
Education / Employment History
- 1948 - Queen’s University – Graduated with a BSc (Electrical Engineering).
- While at Queen’s, Croft joined the Canadian Officers Training Corps. He was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1949 and remained for a full career, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as Officer in Command of Canadian Forces 712 Communications Squadron
- Upon retirement from the military, Croft began a long career with Bell Telephone Company – Engineering. He directed a team of senior engineers in the long-term planning of Canada’s major telecommunications networks, and their integration with US networks. He also chaired the Carrier Working Group whose mandate was to develop fail-safe high-density networks for the military. Croft’s major contribution to the amateur radio community was the development of a program with the Bell System to distribute surplus Bell teletype and data equipment to amateurs across North America. He personally handled about 5000 tons of such equipment
Amateur Radio History
- 1950 - First licensed as in London, Ontario. Call signs held were VE3BAA, VE3DKZ, VE2MR, VE2AMT, VE3NA, VE3OR and his “initials” VE3CT.
- Member of ARRL and CARTG.
- Member of CARF – Ontario Director (1976)
- Member of PARC – President (1976)
- Member of RSO – Ottawa Delegate
- Member of RAC. He was a recipient of the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, presented at the QCWA Chapter 70 May 2010 dinner meeting.
Additional Information
He was a Life Member of Quarter Century Wireless Association, Director (1998-1999), Vice President (2001- 2002), and President (2002-2004).
During his term on the QCWA Executive, Croft headed two very active committees.
Croft was a Life Member of QCWA Chapter 70, Director (1991) and President (1992-1994). Vice Chair of the Organizing Committee for the QCWA 2004 International Convention.
He received the QCWA “60 Years Licensed” Golden Certificate and lapel pin at the Chapter 70 May 2010 dinner meeting and was awarded Chapter 70 Life Membership at the Chapter 70 November 2010 dinner meeting.
He was elected to the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2009 and to the "QCWA Hall of Fame" in 2010.
In addition to all that, Croft won many QCWA QSO Parties, proving that he was an excellent radio operator.
Croft has amazed many amateur radio friends with his impressive talent as a jazz pianist, playing the "jazz standards" on his concert-grand piano.
Croft passed away November 17, 2010 at Jacksonville, Florida enroute to his winter home in Nokomis, Florida.