Statement from Warden Basil Clarke on behalf of County Council
It is with deep sadness and regret that we share the unfortunate news that Councillor Jack Contin, Deputy Mayor for the Town of Midland, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in the early morning hours of November 9, 2023.
As County Council, our collective hearts go out to his wife Judy and the Contin family and we wish them strength during this time of sorrow. Similarly, we offer our deepest condolences to County Councillor Bill Gordon, Midland’s Council, and the community as a whole as they grieve the loss of this thoughtful leader who was known to put his family and community before all else. We also like to acknowledge the very thoughtful message posted by our colleague Councillor Bill Gordon, Mayor of Midland, and we appreciate the kind words he shared in memory of his Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Contin served his Indigenous Community well as he strove to protect Turtle Island and its resources. Through his environmental stewardship, he ensured the permanent and long-term protection of Georgian Bay. As a past President of the Aboriginal Tourism Association for Southern Ontario and through his formation of the Georgian Bay Island National Park Indigenous Cultural Relations Committee, Jack’s contributions to his community will be sadly missed, but long-standing and thanks to him will be seen across the region in perpetuity.
Personally, I would like to thank Jack for his leadership and his guidance across the region. He will be dearly missed. I encourage all County Councillors and residents of Simcoe County to take some time to remember the life of this great man as we collectively mourn the loss of a friend and a leader in our community. Together, as County Council we are pledging to move forward for our community and for the protection of the land that we stand on in Jack’s memory.
Flags have been lowered at the County Administration Centre and will remain so, in Jack’s honour.
~ Warden Basil Clarke
on behalf of County Council