Wednesday, March 9, 2022
A tribute to Bob McCracken
Dr. Lloyd Brown-John, Professor Emeritus and founder of ElderCollege Special to the Sun Sometimes you meet a person who almost instantly impresses you with their enthusiasm. We first met Bob McCracken and his delightful life partner Shirley over 25 years ago when we joined the Leamington-Mersea Historical Society. As western Canadians and thus newcomers to the Kingsville-Leamington area, we decided we had to learn about the
history and people of the region. Many of those we enjoyed time with at the old church/museum at Albuna are now gone. Regrettably Bob McCracken has now joined that heavenly entourage. Bob was unique. An avid local historian and raconteur or marvelous story teller. He was also skilled and his talents translated into the world’s largest ironing board, a life-size operational stage coach and a wonderful historical monument recording Leamington’s history on
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the rings of a slice from a fallen tree. It is rumoured that he had a small experimental still tucked away in a barn. Rumour never was confirmed! At one time he volunteered to hold the salvaged remains of a sunken ship, the “SS Nessen”, on his farm. At the time, he and several others were involved in seeking to have the remains of the ship — dredged from Leamington harbour — converted into a Leamington waterfront memorial to all the ships that vanished and all those who died in and around Point Pelee and nearby Lake Erie. Bob was also responsible for another remarkable tribute. At some point in the distant past, I convinced the Historical Society to establish an annual Heritage Awards program. The idea was to acknowledge those who contributed to Leamington and Mersea as pioneers, as preservers of heritage buildings and as innovators within the community. Bob McCracken and his
brother-in-law designed and constructed a steady stream of hand-crafted plaques, which were awarded annually to those nominated and selected for awards. The plaques were astonishing as they incorporated a rainbow of local woods in varying natural colours and a small metal slice from an old railway track. These award plaques are retained by so many deserving people in Leamington and area. A unique award in a entirely unique form. I’ve not had much contact with Bob McCracken these past most immediate years. I’ve been very focused upon ElderCollege and our seniors community. Yet, in some respects, it was a person like Bob McCracken who helped trigger development of ElderCollege. His passion for local history, including a co-authored book on Staples, led me to develop road trips to historical places in southwestern Ontario. Many of those road trips subsequently translated into ElderCollege heritage bus trips. But it was also Bob’s enthusiasm for history. It was his remarkable
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Furnace $ Inspection
Southpoint Sun - 11
creativity and skill. And it was his willingness to undertake almost any task related to Leamington’s history. That sparkle of his and twinkle of the eye were catchy and I thank my buddy Bob McCracken
for his inspiration for ElderCollege and so much more. All who had contact with this brilliant man will deeply miss his presence in the Leamington and Mersea community.
Province increasing seniors community grant funding PROVINCIAL – The Ontario government is doubling its Seniors Community Grant Program funding by investing $6-million in 2022-23 for seniors-based projects that help seniors stay safe, healthy, active and connected to families and friends in their communities. Applications are open now until April 28, 2022, at Ontario.ca/getfunding for community organizations, municipalities and Indigenous organizations to apply for funding for various programs and services across the province that empower seniors to continue being active participants in their community. Funding ranges from $1,000 up to $25,000 for local projects. Each year,
Seniors Community Grants support hundreds of diverse, accessible and innovative activities that provide something for everyone – from Tai Chi lessons, lawn bowling and other physical activities, to arts and music appreciation, to virtual speakers’ series, day trips, and so much more. Throughout their lives, seniors have helped build and contribute to Ontario’s quality of life. Seniors Community Grants provide them with new ways to engage with their local communities to promote physical, mental and social well-being. Ontario’s seniors are the province’s fastest growing demographic, and by 2023, there will be three million Ontarians over the age of 65.
ANNOUNCEMENT
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Dr. Robert McCormick Optometrist, Leamington Eyecare Dear Leamington, Wheatley and Tilbury patients, for the time being I am now only available at my Kingsville Eyecare Clinic to assist you with your eyecare and eyewear needs. We welcome you to call 519-325-0123 or 519-733-3560 to schedule an appointment or if you have questions.
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