Wellington County councillors paid tribute to former warden Brad Whitcombe on Nov. 25.
Whitcombe, who served as a councillor, deputy reeve, reeve, mayor of Puslinch, and three terms as county warden, died on Nov. 16 of a severe bacterial infection following emergency surgery.
Warden Chris White said Whitcombe was the catalyst behind the initiative that became the county’s Green Legacy Program and “created a legacy that will be here in a hundred years.
“He was a friend to many and quite a visionary,” White stated.
Councillor Don McKay said Whitcombe was “a friend and mentor for over 20 years,” and recalled Whitcombe’s role in the start up of the Friends of Mill Creek organization in their home community.
“He was a visionary and a communicator,” said McKay.
“He always spoke very kindly about others and he was just a super person,” said councillor Shawn Watters.
“Brad and I worked together on many projects, but I remember his strength and support the year I was warden,” said councillor Lynda White.
“He was adamant the library system should be accessible and available to anyone who needed to use it,” recalled White.
“I am so sad about the loss of such a remarkable person.”
Councillor George Bridge commented on “the passion [Whitcombe] had for our Carnegie libraries,” noting, “we are beneficiaries of it in Harriston and Palmerston.”
Councillor Lou Maieron remembered advice from Whitcombe when Maieron was seeking to chair the county’s solid waste services committee.
Whitcombe told him, “If you want to make a change, get involved. If you want to go for a ride, tag along.”
Following the tributes, councillors held a moment of silence in memory of Whitcombe and later in the meeting his contributions to culture and heritage in the county were the subject of the “cultural moment” feature of the meeting.
A celebration of Whitcombe’s life is on Dec. 7 from 2 to 4pm at the Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle.
