Armour Livingstone McCrae

Mayor, City of Welland, Ontario 1953-58 -

Passed away, on Saturday November 3, 2007, at Toronto, in his91 year. Armour is survived by his beloved wife Heather (nee Montgomery), and his two loving sons and their families: Armour and Eydie McCrae of Guelph and grand-daughter Cara (Mike); James McCrae of Barrie, daughter-in-law Brooke McCrae and grandson Jamie of Brampton; and by his two loving daughters and their families: Wendy and Bruce Dunning of Newmarket and grand-daughters Abbey and Rebecca; and Donna Creighton of Toronto; and by his daughter-in-law Margaret McCrae and grand-daughter Jessica. Predeceased by his cherished first wife Jessie King (Mains) McCrae, and by his son Nichol. Son of the late Nichol and Emily McCrae of Welland, dear brother of Margaret McCrae Moro and Rudy Moro of London. Predeceased by brothers Alex, James and Charles.

Of all positions aspired to or later achieved, being Mayor of the City of Welland was always first and foremost in his heart, and the one for which he wishes most to be remembered. Elected President of the then Association of Ontario Mayors and Reeves 1956-57. In 1958, as Mayor he presided over the centennial celebrations of the city, and in that same year was the first to be honoured in receiving the Citizen of the Year Award for Welland-Crowland. He was invited by the Queen to attend her Coronation at Westminster Abbey, and was the recipient of the coronation medal. A well-known after-dinner and convention speaker, he addressed the British Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Belfast, Ireland in 1953. On two occasions he was the speaker representing Canada (France and the United States also being represented) at the Annual Flag Day Celebration at Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown, NY, USA. Armour always promoted a better understanding between English and French-speaking Canada, and to that end, was instrumental in "twinning" the city of Welland with the Québec city of Sorel. Member and Vice-Chairman of the Ontario Municipal Board 1958-83; seconded from the Board to be Chief Hearing Officer for the Parkway Belt West hearings in 1976, and seconded again to be Chief Hearing Officer for the Niagara Escarpment Plan hearings from 1980-83.

Friends may call on Tuesday, November 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles). Funeral service will be held at Willowdale Presbyterian Church (38 Ellerslie Avenue), on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 11 o'clock. Private family interment at Westminster Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Willowdale Presbyterian Church, 38 Ellerslie Avenue, Toronto, ON, M2N 1X8 or to the C.N.I.B., 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4G 3E8

Condolences www.rskane.ca