Memorial service today for Whitehead

April 16, 2015 · 0 Comments

A public celebration is planned for today for former Caledon coucillor Richard Whitehead.
It will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Caledon Community Complex in Caledon East.
Mr. Whitehead, who had been the representative for Wards 3 and 4 on Peel Regional and Town of Caledon councils until his defeat in last fall’s municipal elections, died April 1 after a brief illness. He was 71.
A book for people to write messages of condolences to the Whitehead family has been established outside the Council Chambers at Town Hall in Caledon East. Mayor Allan Thompson made the announcement at Tuesday’s council meeting, adding it will be there at least until the end of this week.
Council meetings are normally opened with one of the members reading a prayer. It was councillor Doug Beffort’s turn Tuesday, and he read one that he composed himself.
“We begin each council meeting with a prayer of focus to work with each other and our constituents in a calm and methodical and professional way.”
“Today, we remember Richard Whitehead as someone who led the way in that regard. We give thanks that we had the opportunity to be part of his incredible political and historical memory and book of anecdotes. We give thanks for his well-thought out answers to issues and for his stories and for his lenghty but pertinent solutions to problems. We simply give thanks that we were able to work with and enjoy Richard and we ask that his goals and his desires and his bank of memories will become part of us and will help us as we move forward to help make Caledon a better place to be.”
“May he rest in peace and his legacy provide comfort to those of us who continue the work.”
“Amen.”