'A man of the people': Goderich mourns passing of Mayor John Grace
The Town of Goderich, Ont. is mourning the loss of Mayor John Grace Wednesday morning.
According to a press release from the Town of Goderich, Lake Huron communities are paying tribute to the Mayor of Goderich who OPP confirmed died in a boating accident.
OPP received a call in regard to a boat in distress about 35 km south of the Township of Pickle Lake. The barge which was transporting fuel had capsized.
In a statement issued early afternoon by the Town of Goderich, the town mourns Grace’s loss, but remembers him as a dedicated leader.
“Along with the community, Town Council and staff are mourning the loss of our Mayor and friend John C. Grace,” the statement says. “The Town acknowledges John’s devotion and contributions to the Town of Goderich. John enhanced the fabric of the Town and enriched the lives of many, far beyond our community.”
Grace’s political career spanned many years, having served as a councillor and deputy mayor for the Town of Goderich for 17 years, and serving as mayor since 2018.
Details are currently slim, but according to the Facebook group Goderich Citizen's Exchange, Grace died in a boating accident at Pickle Lake, located north of Thunder Bay.
It was reported that Huron County Council held a moment of silence for Grace on Wednesday morning.
Calling him a “man of the people,” the release says that Grace was a “strong leader and decision maker” who worked tirelessly for the Town of Goderich, including the rebuilding of the town following an F-3 tornado in 2011, and most recently, through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We acknowledge his immense contributions, his admirable personality, and his ability to connect and share commonality with so many,” the release says.
“John Grace has left an indelible mark on the Town of Goderich. He loved this town, this community where he grew up. He worked tirelessly to make it a better place,” Jennifer Verdam-Woodward, chair of the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron, also said in a statement.
According to his LinkedIn page, Grace was a lifelong resident of Goderich, and had owned and operated many small businesses, having been involved in the tourism industry for more than 30 years.
“He was a great friend of the business community,” she added.
The circumstances surrounding Grace’s passing have not yet been released.
“John was a bright light, and he will be dearly missed,” the release says. “Our sincere condolences go out to John’s wife Wendy, their three boys, daughter-in-law, and grandson.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.