HALL OF FAME 2020 EDITION National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: City of Orillia Hall of Fame 2020 edition Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Isabel Brillinger, 1916-2011 author Commemorative Awards Committee / Kym Kennedy / Ellen Cohen -- 2020 edition. ISBN 978-0-9689198-2-8 (paperback) 1. Orillia (Ont.)--Biography. 2. Awards--Ontario--Orillia. I. Orillia (Ont.). Commemorative Awards Committee, issuing body II. Title. FC3099.O74Z48 2020 971.3’17 C2020-905298-X HALL OF FAME 2020 Edition Updated by: The Commemorative Awards Committee City of Orillia Cover Art by: Jieun Kim Introduction The Orillia Hall of Fame was established in 1964 to recognize residents, or past residents, of Orillia and area for their outstanding accomplishments. The award serves to build upon the history of our city and the incredible patrons who have built its past and present. Those nominated have received national and/or international recognition in their field of work or endeavour. Nominees have included those in the arts, professions, politics, business, philanthropy, athletics and more. In all cases, the nominees and, ultimately the inductees, have made a substantial impact on the destiny of Orillia. In order to ensure the legacy of the deeds and achievements of our Orillia citizenship, we invite nominations of those who inspire and illuminate. Details regarding criteria and deadlines are available at orillia.ca/halloffame. Take some time to visit the display of the 50+ inductees at the Orillia City Centre in the hall outside of the council chamber. 4 Chair’s Remarks Orillia isn’t just a beautiful city. It’s a colourful story of vibrant characters, impressive progress and genuine community. It boasts a culture that has raised small town principles to meet global achievements. The individuals celebrated in this book rose to greatness through committed effort, phenomenal talent, and the support of a beautifully knit City of Orillia. It is my great honour to be a part of a committee that is granted the privilege of learning about our citizens’ incredible achievements and overwhelming inspiration. The Commemorative Awards Committee invites you to read through these profiles and learn about our city’s most remarkable characters. We believe in the people in our community, one that has so much diversity in thought and talent. Orillia will continue to produce incredible accomplishments much as we see in the pages of this publication. Help to write the next chapter of our story. Kym Kennedy Commemorative Awards Committee Chair Special Thanks A number of people have contributed to this publication over the years and made this publication possible: • Ms. Isabel Brillinger • Ms. Amelia Shilling • James Pauk Photography • City of Orillia Staff, past and present 5 Mayor’s Remarks The City of Orillia is rich with culture and history. Great individuals from a wide array of disciplines have called Orillia home and we are proud to recognize the significant contributions they have made to Orillia and beyond. With over 50 people named to the Orillia Hall of Fame since its inception in 1964, this Orillia Hall of Fame book provides the opportunity to formally acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of these well deserving individuals, both past and present. This book is not only filled with a wealth of information, but it will also fill you with pride and great reverence as it honours the people and the fabric of our great city. On behalf of Orillia City Council, I would like to thank the Commemorative Awards Committee for their great efforts and dedication to preserving the legacy of the members of the Orillia Hall of Fame and creating such a wonderful publication for all to enjoy. Sincerely, Steve Clarke Mayor 6 Hall of Fame Inductees Anderson, Thomas Gummersall Ley, Rick Baillie, Alexander Charles Lightfoot, Gordon Bain, Frank “Piper” Long, Erastus Bartleman, the Honourable MacInnis, The Very Reverend James K. John Angus Bartlett, George W. McDonald, Bob Beaton, Dr. Alexander McGarvey, J. A. “Pete” Bell, William McKenzie, L. Mervyn Boyle, John “Benny” McKinlay, the Honourable Cairns, Peter W. Duncan E. Carmichael, Franklin Mulcahy, Gertrude Chalmers, Floyd S. O’Brien, Lucius Richard Curran, Robert Parnaby, Tayler “Hap” De La Roche, Mazo Plunkett, Albert, Merton & Frost, the Honourable Leslie M. Morley “The Dumbells” Gaudaur, Jacob Gill “Jake” (Sr.) Shilling, Arthur Bradford Gaudaur, Jacob Gill “Jake” (Jr.) Shrum, Mamie (Faris) Gill, Harry Sissons, Hon. John Howard Gould, Glenn St. George, Laurent Quetton Greene, Canon Richard W. Steele, Sir Samuel B. Hale, Dr. Charles Harold Tapscott, Don Harvie, Eric Thomson, Dr. David Henry, Walter Tudhope, James Brochett Hutchings, Jeff Watson, Gordon Alexander “Skid” Keith, Marian (Mary Esther Miller Wood, Elizabeth Wyn MacGregor) Yellowhead, Chief William Knox, Walter “Musquakie” Leacock, Stephen Butler Lewis, the Honourable Douglas G. Submit nominations to the Hall of Fame at orillia.ca/halloffame. 77 Thomas Gummersall Anderson (1779-1875) Government Agent INDUCTED 1993 As a trader and government Bond Head in 1839 to make room employee, Thomas Gummersall for new settlers. Anderson had close contact with Anderson was said to have a the First Nations for fifty-eight shrewd judge of character and was years. He was the government devoted to First Nation interests agent who oversaw the first and was highly regarded by them. project of the British Empire to settle aboriginal people on Prior to his work as a government reserves. agent, Anderson was an accomplished trader and a At the instruction of Sir John military commander in The War Colborne of York, he was of 1812. He was the supervisor responsible for the settlement of of construction of the mill on the Ojibwa tribes at Coldwater the Coldwater River, as well as a and the Narrows in 1829, before school for the children of the First they were moved at the request of Nation. the new Lt. Governor, Sir Francis 8 Alexander Charles Baillie (1939 - ) Banker INDUCTED 1999 Alexander Charles Baillie was campaign for the Orillia Museum appointed Chairman and Chief of Art and History at its inception. Executive Officer of the Toronto This Orillia-born man began Dominion Bank shortly after it his education at Hillcrest Public was created by the merger of The School and Orillia District Dominion Bank and The Bank of Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Toronto. He went on to attain his BA at A philanthropist, advocate for the University of Toronto and his greater commitment to education, MBA at Harvard Business School. and a fund raiser for many causes, He received the Award of Merit Baillie was also the honourary from the B’nai Brith, their highest chairman of the fund raising honour. 9 Frank “Piper” Bain (1908-1991) Athlete INDUCTED 1969 Frank “Piper” Bain was a University of Toronto Blues for a professional lacrosse player from month in 1931. 1932-1936 with the Chicago “Piper”, whose nickname came franchise of the American from his father’s involvement as Lacrosse League. There, he won a Pipe Major of the Toronto Irish the Jim Murphy Memorial Trophy Regiment, moved to Orillia in as the most valuable player in 1936 to play lacrosse. Over the the Senior Lacrosse League in next three years, the Orillia team his final year. He played with won two Ontario Championships the Irish-Canadian Dominion and one Dominion Championship. Championship Team in the Junior In 1937, Bain coached the first Division, represented Canada in Junior Lacrosse Club in Orillia for the World Championships in 1930, boys twenty years old and under. and toured the USA with the 10 The Honourable James K. Bartleman (1939- ) Lieutenant Governor INDUCTED 2004 The Honourable James K. his career as a Senior Diplomatic Bartleman was the first aboriginal Advisor to Prime Minister Jean person to be named Lieutenant Chretien. Governor of Ontario, a position Bartleman was an Ambassador or he used to champion literacy High Commissioner to Bangladesh, camps for native children. Israel, NATO, South Africa, He has written three biographies: Australia and the European Union. Out of Muskoka (2002), He brought his experiences to life Rollercoaster (2005), and Raisin in his book On Six Continents: A Wine: A Boyhood in a Different Life in Canada’s Foreign Service Muskoka (2007). These books 1966-2002 (2004), focusing on his cover his growth through humble beginnings as an aboriginal self-education, his university kid from Orillia and Muskoka. education assisted by a wealthy In 1999, Bartleman received the Muskoka cottager, the beginning National Aboriginal Achievement of his diplomatic career with the Award. Canadian Foreign Services, and 11 George W. Bartlett (1852-1939) Park Superintendent INDUCTED 1995 George W. Bartlett was the park wildlife. He hired former superintendent of Algonquin trappers to become park rangers Park from 1897 to 1921. There who would help control poaching he successfully accomplished his and illegal trapping. Bartlett was task as charged by the Premier recognized both nationally and of Ontario, the Honourable internationally for preserving Arthur Hardy, “to make it a credit wildlife in a controlled area. to the province” after the park Bartlett came to Canada in administration had fallen into 1863, and to Orillia in 1872. His disrepute in 1897. He served work on railroad construction as postmaster, police magistrate, and lumber camps up north led chief coroner of the District of to a position of considerable Nipissing, and Commissioner of responsibility with the J.R. Booth Oaths. Company. As park superintendent, Bartlett was dedicated to maintaining 12 Dr. Alexander H. Beaton (1838-1932) Physician INDUCTED 1973 Dr. Alexander H. Beaton graduated the only institution in Canada from the Toronto School of for developmentally-challenged Medicine in 1864, where he people. acquired his specialty in surgery. Dr. Beaton served as a two-term In 1876 Dr.