2026 Female Athlete Inductee - Patti Blondia

As a youngster, Patti Blondia asked her mother if she could play the piano, however she thought that would be very expensive and instead she registered her with the Wallaceburg Figure Skating Club.

Blondia put on her first pair of figure skates at the age of eight, attending group lessons twice per week. Dave Matthewson was the senior coach of the club at that time. He approached her parents about giving her private lessons and so began her 10-year amateur figure skating career. With Matthewson as her main coach, Blondia became a triple gold medalist in Figures, Free Skate and Dance. She also qualified for the All-Canadian National Figure Skating Champions for five consecutive years in all three categories, Novice, Junior and Senior winning a silver medal in the Novice Ladies event.

After retiring from the amateur circuit, Blondia continued as a coach with the Wallaceburg and Chatham Figure Skating Clubs for 30 plus years - training, teaching and building children’s skills and character. Although she no longer coaches figure skating, Blondia uses the skills she acquired as a figure skater to continue helping others achieve their personal goals and become the people, they strive to be.

Patti Blonida achieved many goals throughout her career with the support of her parents, Gordon and Albertine Modde, her family, and the community she grew up in.