A tireless community booster is gone - but Ray Benns will never be forgotten, thanks to the renaming of the Centreton park in his honour.
Only a handful of his Benns's years were spent outside Alnwick-Haldimand Township. After his grammar-school years at the one-room Mulholland SS11, he went to CDCI West – then CDCI East, when it opened. He left the community long enough to graduate from Kemptville College, before returning to the family farm and the life he really wanted to pursue.
In 1998, with retirement looming, he was encouraged to run for Alnwick-Haldimand Township council. He would serve for more than 20 years, including a term as deputy mayor.
Benns died in March 2019, and town crier Liam Cragg said (during his opening cry) it was the COVID-19 protocols and lockdowns that delayed this day.
Cragg also incorporated his own tribute in his cry.
“The highest compliment I can give is that Ray first and foremost made decisions based on what he felt was in the best interest of the township. He listened to every person with an open mind. It was only once sufficient information had been presented and debated that he made his decision,” Cragg announced in ringing tones.
“If there was a resolution he didn't like, he never publicly said anything. And he never took individual credit for a good idea – it was always council's decision, and he was merely part of that council.”
Following the cry, former township Chief Administrative Officer Terry Korotki took over as emcee, with memories of his own to share from 20 years of working with Benns.
It was such a pleasure, Korotki said, because they had so much in common, including putting a priority on family and enjoying a good feed.
“He was always chuckling, always happy,” he recalled.
“He was very proud to live here, to be raised here, to raise his family here. His goal was to make everybody's life better. He would make a point of listening and addressing the needs of the residents – in a restaurant, in a house, in the township hall, even on the side of the road, he would answer anyone's concerns or issues.”
“He brought a lot to the council meetings,” Mayor Gail Latchford said.
She recalled how patiently Benns would listen to discussions and, when it was his turn, he often had a piece of history to contribute to the talk that would throw a new light on things. Because he contributed, she said, the correct decision would be made.
And every Christmas, she added, “the staff loved to see Ray come in – he always came in with big bags of home-made goodies he and his wife Marg had made. He was like Santa Claus, there was such an uproar in the office. And he always had a little treat for council as well,” Latchford said.
“We miss Ray. He certainly served this community and the entire township.”
Son Steven added more personal touches, saying, “My biggest wish is we weren't here today. I would give anything for another couple of months with my dad.”
During his lifetime, Steven said, his dad saw the family farm acquire electricity, running water and an indoor toilet. And his dad grew very popular when his family was among the first to get a TV.
“But he always wanted to serve his community, and now Alnwick-Haldimand is a better township,” Steven declared.
“He sat through a lot of meetings, read a lot of information, listened to the debates and always had an open mind. And he always looked at what was best for the community in the long run.
“He didn't always have the best answers, but he really made sure people knew he was there for them.”
Standing in the park, Korotki literally pointed to the many ways Benns left a lasting impression in the Hamlet of Centreton – the new firehall, the new library, the upgraded community centre.
“Being a public servant, in my opinion, is the highest honour - placing others above yourself, the sacrifice of personal time that Ray and others have done over the years,” he said.
“They were there for the good of the community. Ray was one of those people. Ray has made a lasting impression on us. He will never be forgotten.
“When I go fishing, I think of Ray and really miss him. He was a good person, good father, good husband, good man, good community person.”
From several dozen in attendance, Korotki called up members of the family and dignitaries to perform the unveiling that renamed the Centreton Park at 2360 County Rd. 23 the Ray Benns Memorial Park.