He gave his all to Innisfil.
Former police officer and three-term council member Roy Bridge died peacefully at his home Oct. 6, wife Vicki by his side. He was 92.
“On behalf of Town of Innisfil council, we want to extend our sincerest condolences,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said. “Roy was a pillar of our community. He was so dedicated to Innisfil. He was involved in so many organizations; he was also a proud Mason and member of the Innisfil (Royal Canadian) Legion branch. There is not a corner of Innisfil he didn’t impact and he will be greatly missed.”
Bridge arrived in Innisfil in the 1960s and throughout the next few decades became heavily involved in the Stroud Curling Club and legion and served as president of Big Cedar Golf and Country Club. He became director of municipal law for the municipality and rose to president of the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association of Ontario. He first ran for council in 1994, at a time when members served three-year terms. Bridge was also chair of the municipality’s committee of adjustment.
But his dedication to Innisfil may have been equalled by his appreciation for the environment. In this realm, he sat on the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) board from 1995 to 2006, including a stint as its chair between 2001 and 2006.
“Bridge brought a deep understanding of the environment to his role as a board member,” LSRCA chief administrative officer Rob Baldwin said in a news release. “(He) was passionate and worked tirelessly on important issues that mattered to our watershed community. His passing is a true loss and I know it will be felt by all who knew him.”
On its Facebook page, the town offered its “heartfelt condolences.”
“He’ll be remembered for his profound impact across Innisfil,” a statement reads.
Current LSRCA chair Wayne Emmerson called Bridge a “champion for his local community” and “our watershed.”
“I understand from board members, past and present, that Bridge was a wonderful supporter of the work of the conservation authority,” he said. “I know he will truly be missed.”
Bridge was married to Vicki for more than four decades and he had four children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at The Wheel, 2 Weeping Willow Dr., in Sandy Cove Acres Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. A short ceremony will begin at 2 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Hospice Simcoe.
