HURON COUNTY – John Grace, mayor of the Town of Goderich, has passed away.
The news of Grace’s sudden passing was announced during Huron County council this morning.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grace family at this time,” Huron County Warden Glen McNeil said as he opened the special audit committee meeting on Aug. 10.
For two minutes all councillors, staff and members of the public bowed their heads in an extremely emotional show of sorrow.
While few details have been released to the public as of publishing, McNeil stated “there has been an accident.”
According to an email sent to members of the Goderich Lions Club, Grace passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at his camp near Pickle Lake, 530 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
“Apparently, he was transporting a load across the lake in his big boat, which is like a landing craft, and it capsized,” reads the email.
“As most of you know, John’s work in Lions (and elsewhere) is epic.”
The Town of Goderich issued a statement on Wednesday morning, honouring Grace’s contributions to the Town of Goderich.
“Along with the community, town council and staff are mourning the loss of our mayor and friend, John C. Grace… The Town acknowledges John’s devotion and contributions to the Town of Goderich. John enhanced the fabric of the Town and enriched the lives of many, far beyond our community.
“John was committed to his family and the community. He was a man of the people through and through.
“John was a strong leader and decision maker, who worked tirelessly for the Town of Goderich. John helped to navigate the community through the 2011 F3 Tornado and the rebuilding of the downtown, and most recently provided leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, along with many other challenges that Goderich has faced. He was integral in so many projects and initiatives, including the Maitland Recreation Centre and the Maitland Valley Medical Centre, and was passionate on environmental and social issues. We acknowledge his immense contributions, his admirable personality, and his ability to connect and share commonality with so many.
“John was a bright light, and he will be dearly missed.
“Our sincere condolences go out to John’s wife Wendy, their three boys, daughter-in-law, and grandson.”
Grace was born and raised in Goderich, and spent more than 30 years in the tourism industry. He was first elected as a councillor in 1998, then served as deputy mayor from 2007-2014. He was elected mayor in 2018, and was slated to run in this fall’s municipal election for another term.
Grace was the founder and former chair of the Huron Manufacturing Association and Huron County Economic Development Board, and has been involved in various other local and charitable organizations.
