Evelyn Mary (Finnigan) Buck

Evelyn Mary Finnigan was born in the Town of Irvine in Ayrshire Scotland on December 1st, 1928. She was the fourth child of Anne Finnigan (nee Diamond) of Irvine Scotland, and John Finnigan of Ireland. She grew up in the old town of Irvine, and in her late teens, demonstrating her courage, independence and curiosity made the move to London England. She worked in the East End of London as an au pair and a bank teller before she met, fell in love with and married Cyril Buck. The year was 1950. They had two children Stephen 1951 and Francis 1954.

Post war Britain was facing challenging economic times and the Commonwealth countries were crying out for young immigrants to help them re-build after the war. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Canada were all worthy destinations and offering immigration incentives to boot. After reading a promotional article about Canada the couple decided they were going to try their luck across the ocean in The New World. Bravely, packing up their lives, they travelled to Canada on one of the first jet powered transatlantic crossings aboard the Comet jet with BOAC. Now that must have been exciting! After a re-fueling stop in Gander Newfoundland and clearing customs in Montreal they landed at a small regional airport in the Town of Malton Ontario (now Pearson International Airport). They began their Canadian adventure in Toronto and soon added an additional son (Martin) to the gang.

In the meantime, back in England Cyril’s father had passed away and left a modest inheritance to his son. The family will always be grateful to Grandfather Buck for providing the money for a down payment on a future family home. During her fourth pregnancy Evelyn travelled to the small town of Aurora with some friends to look at a brand-new home. It was one of the highlights of her young life and it led to the purchase of a four-bedroom bungalow in the subdivision of Regency Acres in the spring of 1960. Regency as it came to be known was in the extreme south end of the town behind the Sterling Drug factory. The red brick home featured a royal blue roof, it was the only blue roof on the street, and it sent a clear signal that Evelyn had arrived. For a young immigrant family this life changing event was pivotal in determining the future of the Buck family in Aurora and beyond. Later that year her first daughter Theresa joined the band, followed by Heather and Mark with Andrew completing the clan. She lived in that same home for 60 years.

She began her political career around 1963 by chairing The Regency Acres Rate Payers Association that met regularly in the basement of the family home at 26 Holman Crescent. During this period, she was elected to her first term on town council and her regular letters to the editor of the Aurora Banner were featured in many issues of the paper. Evelyn’s journalistic skills and popular political views led to an assignment as a weekly column writer in the paper. Not surprisingly the weekly feature was appropriately titled “Buckshot”. Following her entry into local politics she also became the subject of acclaimed political satirist/cartoonist Lyle Glover and many now famous caricatures of Evelyn appeared in the paper throughout her early career. Through the 60’s and early 70’s she continued to run for and be elected to Town Council because as she repeatedly put it “she didn’t know that she shouldn’t” and she knew she could and wanted to make a difference.

During and between council terms she served on several boards including: The Police Board, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, Board of Education, York County Hospital Board, York Region Planning Board, The Historical Society, several library and environmental boards to name a few.

In 1969 she became the last Reeve of Aurora. After her second term on Council and having topped the polls she assumed the role of Mayor, after a conflict of interest required a replacement of the sitting Mayor. This made her the first female Mayor in the history of Aurora. Determined to be elected Mayor in her own right she ran for and won the 1975 Mayoral race by a wide margin and served her first two-year term.

Following her tenure as Mayor she took a break from politics. During this time, she was appointed by the provincial government to the Province of Ontario’s Social Assistance Review Board and travelled extensively throughout the province adjudicating social assistance claims and advocating for families.

In 1981-1988 she returned to municipal politics serving three consecutive terms on Town Council. Later on, when most people would have been enjoying retirement, a group of citizens approached her and encouraged her to return to the political scrum. Feeling she could make a difference on council and in the lives of Aurorans, the people returned her to council serving from 2003 – 2014.

This was the culmination of a long career in the service of the people of Aurora. A career that is an inspiration to sitting municipal politicians and those who would seek political office in the future. She has been a credit to her family, her community, her province and her adopted country of Canada. We are all profoundly proud of her.

Evelyn was a fierce defender of truth and honesty in politics and in life. She was a champion of the underdog and always sought out justice and fairness for those less capable of advocating for themselves in the communities she served. We will not see the likes of her again and live with the hope that others will follow in her footsteps and pursue the noble cause of elected public service.

During this time her children were growing up and making lives of their own and having children of their own:

Stephen and Mary of Kitchener – Myles, Vanessa, and Patrick

Frank and Lorna of Mono – Maria

Martin and Marnie of Barrie – Justin, Cameron and Elizabeth

Theresa of Holland Landing – Stephanie, Lindsey, and Rory

Heather and Andy of Newmarket – Adam, Keenan, Aaron, and Robyn

Mark Sr. and Storm of Keswick – Mark Jr., Michael and Ryan

Andrew and Rhonda of Aurora – Meghan and Haley

The fourth generation continues to flourish and add branches to the Buck family tree with new spouses, 13 great grandchildren and more on the way.

In later years, Evelyn became passionate about her Scottish roots and through social media began exploring and communicating with extended family and friend connections that spanned from Ontario, to Scotland, and throughout the United States.

Evelyn Buck’s story is one of the many Canadian success stories that began with immigration to this great country of ours. Her courage, intelligence, determination, talents, passion and skills leave us feeling humbled and wondering if we would have had the same strength of conviction and belief in ourselves that she brought with her. Sometimes you just have to get on with it!

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Aurora Able Network would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made by cheque, payable to The ABLE Network, 44 Metcalfe Street, Aurora, ON L4G 1E6 or by e-transfer to [email protected]. Please include your postal address to receive a charitable receipt.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Buck family.