Wollaston township remembers Albert Vader

By Jim Eadie

After several months of considering an appropriate tribute, Wollaston township council has decided to honour the late Albert Vader by installing an engraved memorial bench in front of the township office in Coe Hill.

Albert Vader, who passed away in November 2015 at the age of 91, was a lifelong resident, farmer, politician and community volunteer. His political career started in 1953. He served on Wollaston council for 38 years — 18 years as Reeve, and eight years as the warden of the County of Hastings. He had a lifelong devotion to the Coe Hill Fair, and the work of the Agricultural Society. He raised a family with his late wife Muriel on their small farm just outside the hamlet of Coe Hill.

“It is fitting that the bench will be located at the town hall,” said township clerk Jennifer Cohen. “It will be very nice to have a place for people to sit.”

Council approved the expenditure of $2,500 to cover the purchase, engraving, delivery and installation of the bench.

At the council's regular meeting on Sept. 27, councillors heard from a group making a delegation on behalf of Wollaston Heritage. Spokesperson Dan McCaw told council that Wollaston Heritage wished to recognize past township residents who have donated land to the township for the benefit of others to use.

“Norm Gilroy and his wife donated the land where we have the public beach on Wollaston Lake,” said McCaw. “Bill and Pearl McCaw donated the land for the public park in the middle of town, and Hubert and Marg King donated the land for a public right of way into Peter Lake. These were all donated for public use. These were all people who cared deeply about their municipality, and we think people should know where it came from.”

Wollaston Heritage is asking the municipality to support their effort to erect engraved granite monuments at the three sites to honour these past citizens' contributions.

“I was wondering what your thoughts were on this idea,” he continued. “We have found some granite that came from the old Upper Canada Quarry in Wollaston Township. The granite needs to be polished and engraved. Wollaston Heritage doesn't have the money to do it, but we wondered if you had any extra money?”

McCaw told council that the scheduled council meeting date had arrived, and he was still awaiting receipt of an estimate on the cost of the work needed.

Council appeared to be quite interested in the concept.

“By all means, get a quote,” said Councillor Bob Ireland. “Bring it back in and we'll talk about it.”