Many are sharing their condolences after the passing of former Whitby Mayor Desmond ‘Des’ Newman.
He was 94 years old.
As noted by the Whitby Library Archives, he was born in Guyana in 1931 and attended St. Stanislaus College in Georgetown before earning a degree in arts and science at a university in Jamaica.
During his school years, he spent several summers in Canada where he worked at General Motors and other businesses in Oshawa and Whitby.
Newman first moved to Oshawa in 1955, relocating to Whitby three years later.
He became a Canadian citizen in 1960.
His career began as a chemist at Cametoid Ltd. based in Ajax, starting there in 1956. By 1961, he advanced to general manager and took on the role of president by 1967.
An overview from Ontario Tech University indicates that Newman contributed to parts for the Avro Arrow and Canada’s first communications satellite, Alouette.
Elected as mayor in 1966, he made history as the youngest person to hold that position in the town. He served for a decade.
He was instrumental as the founding chairman of both the Durham Region Manufacturers Association and Dennis O’Connor Catholic High School. Additionally, he chaired the Industrial Accident Prevention Association for Central Ontario and was involved with committees establishing Dr. J. O. Ruddy General Hospital and Whitby Arts Incorporated-now known as Station Gallery. He also served as President of the Rotary Club of Whitby.
Newman advocated for merging the Town with Township of Whitby. He supported initiatives like establishing a Durham regional government, building a new international airport east of Toronto, creating a municipal building for Whitby, and developing Iroquois Park Sports Complex.
Upon retirement, he received Freedom of the Town of Whitby.
In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Peter Perry Award in 2011 and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
A boulevard and park bear his name along with the Des Newman Arena Complex located at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.
The current Mayor of Whitby, Elizabeth Roy, released this statement:
On behalf of Whitby Council and the entire community, I extend condolences to the family and friends of former Whitby Mayor Desmond Newman.
Elected in 1966 as the youngest mayor in Whitby’s history, he was a true community builder whose legacy will be felt in Whitby for generations to come.
During his decade as mayor, Newman helped shape the Whitby we know today – championing the amalgamation of the Town and Township of Whitby and helping lay the foundation for Regional Municipality of Durham.
He recognized how important it is to invest in infrastructure that supports growth within our town; advocating for projects like Iroquois Park Sports Centre while assisting with establishing J. O. Ruddy General Hospital (now Lakeridge Health Whitby) alongside supporting arts through what is now Station Gallery).
Whitby has lost an esteemed leader but Newman’s impact will remain alive within our community which he helped nurture into what it is today!
Flags outside Town Hall have been lowered to half-mast; moreover there will be a memorial book available inside Town Hall’s lobby so people can express their condolences should they wish to do so!
Photos courtesy of Diedre Newman and Town of Whitby
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