Flags have been lowered at the Municipal Centre in Brighton following the passing of former Coun. Chuck Ward. /Mayor Brian Ostrander of Brighton Ontario Facebook photo
Former Coun. Chuck Ward – who also touched the lives of many as a crossing guard in his retirement – is being remembered as a “true Brightonian.”
Flags at the Municipal Centre on Alice Street in Brighton have also been lowered for the week to honour his life and service, said Mayor Brian Ostrander.
“Chuck served on the former town council for several terms and on the amalgamated municipal council for the first two terms,” wrote Ostrander online. “I had the good fortune to sit on council with Chuck during my first term.
“I admired his calm demeanor and good-natured humour,” recalled Ostrander, adding he always took great care to make decisions he believed were in Brighton’s best interest.
After his time on council and a sales career, Ostrander highlighted how Ward continued to serve Brighton as a crossing guard in Smithfield and at the Main Street corner.
Calling him a close family friend and a good and faithful servant, Ostrander also remembers Ward as always quick with a smile and a joke at the ready – a sentiment many other Brightonians are also echoing in the wake of his passing.
Condolences and memories have been flooding in online following the news of Ward’s passing.
“Your quick wit and smiling face will be missed,” said Brighton Public Library staff, while thanking Ward for his service.
Library CEO Heather Ratz similarly always enjoyed chats at the corner, calling Ward a great guy, while extending condolences to his family.
Liz Thomson called Ward “a true Brightonian,” and “jolly soul,” while also saying he was a fantastic councillor who had the interests of all constituents.
“Chuck was an amazing asset to Brighton (while) serving on council and in retirement as a crossing guard,” wrote Susan Moore. “I’ll miss him hugely as I walk past the Sobey’s corner where he kept many of us safe and always had a smile and joke and words of encouragement and joy.
“I would cross at his corner just to enjoy a few words with him …” continued Moore.
Former long-time director of parks and recreation Jim Millar recalled how Ward was part of the arena board when Millar was first hired. He was always interested and supportive over the years while on council and afterwards, said Millar.
“We will all miss his smiling face as we drop and pick up our kids at school, as well as at the baseball fields,” wrote Pamela Peckford. “He was such a kind man.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
