LES WATMOUGH, long-time leader on the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and man of many hats, passed away suddenly from a heart attack Sunday afternoon at age 83.
Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin, who recently had lunch with Watmough and his wife Diane, said the late honourable “mayor of Thornhill” will be missed in both Thornhill and Terrace.
“He kind of dedicated his life to helping others in the community,” said Austin. “He was somebody who always thought about other people and their needs and that's what he spent a lot of time doing,”
Known for his tireless work as board member and director of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine for over 25 years, Watmough was, according to Austin, a very accomplished individual.
“He was a pilot, a logger, head of the northwest trapper association,” said Austin. He was also a lay preacher at the Lutheran Church in Terrace and a lifetime honouree of the NDP party.
It was in fact several hours after giving his Oct.27 Sunday sermon that Watmough passed away.
He is survived by his four children and wife, Diane.
The funeral will be private according to Watmough's wishes, with a public memorial held at a later date.
Watmough lived in the area since 1953. On the regional district he left his mark on several aspects of Thornhill society, everything from street lights to water systems.