Durham, Charles W. (Died)

Charles W. Durham, veteran municipal official, passes - served as Reeve of North Grimsby for 9 straight years without contesting an election - was Warden of Lincoln in 1943 when county became debt free.

Charles W. Durham, veteran Reeve of North Grimsby and an ex-Warden of Lincoln County, passed away suddenly Monday night between 11 and 12 o'clock at his home at Grimsby Beach.

The late Mr. Durham entered municipal life at an early age and served on Grimsby council, but it was not until he moved into the township that he attained prominence. In 1932 he was elected to North Grimsby council and served on that board for 5 years. In 1937 he was elected Reeve of the municipality by acclamation and served in that position for 9 consecutive years and never was called upon to contest an election.

Always one of the most popular members of Lincoln County Council, Mr. Durham was given the honor of being Warden of the County in 1943. During his long term on the County Council, he served for 5 years on the Road Committee, being chairman for 4 terms. He had also been chairman of the printing and building committee (later the general administration committee); chairman of the finance and of the charity and welfare committees. Mr. Durham also served on the reception committee for several years.

It was during his term of office as Warden that Lincoln became debt free in 1943.

After moving into the township he fruit farmed for some years and latterly conducted a large tea room and tourist camp at the corner of No. 8 Highway and Park Road, where his late residence stands today.

Ex-Reeve Durham was a native son of Grimsby, being born here in 1879, the youngest son of the late Mathias and Mandalia Durham. In his youthful days he gained some prominence as a bicycle rider and as a hockey player on the the Peach Kings of those days of seven man hockey.

Deceased was a man whose whole interests were that of his township and the people of his community. He was a willing official and worker behind all community projects and was especially interested in the welfare of the veterans and their families of both wars. At the time of his demise he was Welfare Officer for the township.

On Tuesday morning Warden W.L. Patterson of Niagara-on-the-Lake and members of the Lincoln County Council paid tribute to his memory at the opening of the May sessions of Council.

Surviving besides his widow, the former Melissa Book, are a daughter Jean, at home, three nephews and two nieces.

The remains are resting at this late home until 2:30 this afternoon when funeral services will be held. The honorary pall bearers will be ex-Wardens of Lincoln County. Interment will be in Queen's Lawn Cemetery.