The passing of Willard Kinzie has people reflecting on the man, the mayor and the legacy that has been left to carry on.
Kinzie died Sunday at the age of 99 and had served as mayor from 1957 to 1961 with Barrie officially became a city in 1959 and making the beloved political figure the first mayor of the City of Barrie.
Flags at Barrie City Hall are at half-staff to honour Kinzie and condolences have been expressed by many who knew him.
The former mayor’s son, George Kinzie, spoke to BarrieToday on Monday evening and said that while the family is doing OK, they do have their emotional moments.
“We’re fine, although some are taking it harder here and there,” said George Kinzie. “Dad had a stroke about a month ago and when we thought maybe he was fighting back through it, he did start to decline.
"I think he made a decision to more or less call it day if he got too bad, and he was laid up in a bed and feeling weak as time went on," he added. "We got the call Sunday morning and though we knew it wasn’t going to be too long before we got that call, it’s still hard and we miss him right now.”
George Kinzie thanked Simcoe Hospice, whose staff he said treated his father wonderfully in his last days and made him as comfortable as possible.
Speaking on behalf of the family, George was also in awe of the outpouring of condolences and love from across the city and said while his father had three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, he knows there is a large amount of people sharing in the family’s grief.
“We feel very honoured to know that there are so many people who loved Dad and got the chance to experience his life and his passions,” said George Kinzie. “Anyone who got to meet him knew that he put everything into all he did whether it was politics, sports or just life in general; it's certainly rewarding for us to look back and remember seeing people just truly love to be around him.”
While Willard Kinzie was involved in many sports and activities such as hiking, curling and even a poker night with the guys, it was the hiking he was known most for and mixed with his love of local history he made the Barrie Waterfront Trail possible as his last major project.
“About 10 years ago, Dad told me about this vision he had for a trail around the lake, encouraging folks to take in the beauty of the waterfront that he really had a part in creating to what it is today,” said George Kinzie. “The end of the trail has his handprint bronzed, almost like a high five motion for those who made the trip.
"We’re going to miss him very much, but we are so proud to have called him 'Dad'.”
Others who knew him shared their condolences on Monday, one of which was Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, who served on Barrie council from 2006 to 2015.
Brassard issued a statement on the passing of a man he felt was instrumental in so many local politicians pushing for community change.
“I relied heavily on Willard’s wisdom and knowledge to serve my constituents and he taught me so much about our history and public service,” Brassard stated after hearing about mayor Kinzie’s death. “In the spirited manner that only Willard could, he told many of us as leaders to have the audacity to be bold in our vision for Barrie.”
Visitation for Willard Kinzie is Sunday, Dec. 2 from 3-8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, located at 445 St. Vincent St., in Barrie.
There will be another visitation Monday, Dec. 3 beginning at First Baptist Church, located at 550 Grove St. E. in Barrie, which will be followed immediately by the funeral, also at First Baptist Church, from 1-2:20 p.m.
A reception will be held at the Barrie Country Club, at 635 St. Vincent St. N., from 2:40-4:30 p.m.
