Gananoque remembers former mayor Bill Code
Gananoque and the Thousand Islands are mourning the loss of former mayor Bill Code, a pillar of the community, who passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Code served as mayor from 1981 to 1985 and left a lasting impact on the town.
Known for his warm personality and dedication, he operated Code Ford Mercury Lincoln for 38 years and earned numerous accolades, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
In his honour, flags at Gananoque Town Hall will fly at half-mast from Jan. 17 to Jan. 23.
A celebration of life will be held at the Gananoque Curling Club on Jan. 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tributes to Code have poured in.
Douglas Wood, a Gananoque Secondary School graduate, fondly recalled how Code sold him his first car.
“I … had joined the Canadian Forces and needed a car to take my stuff to Nova Scotia,” said Wood. “He sold me a 1976 Pinto Station Wagon.”
Others remembered Code’s kindness and dedication.
In a statement, Carolyn and Jim Gates described him as “a loyal, understanding, and supportive friend.” They added: “Even with failing health he visited dad and took him for drives. He shall be dearly missed.”
The Town of Gananoque also extended condolences to Code’s family, who remember him as a devoted husband to the late Nicole “Niky” (née MacLean), loving father to Wendy Rée (Simon) and Alan Code, and cherished grandfather to Keira, Carter (Hannah), and Shan.
Donations in Code’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.