Former Milton Mayor Mike Ledwith Passes Away

Just this past week, former Mayor of Milton Mike Ledwith was recognized by the province of Ontario and the Town of Milton as 2010’s Senior of the Year.  He was unable that Monday to attend the meeting and accept this honour, but his family was there.  They expressed their deep gratitude for the acknowledgment and recognition of their fathers hard work in Milton.

I had a chance to meet and speak with Mike at length during Milton’s 150th Anniversary celebrations and he spoke of his time as Mayor of Milton with great happiness.  He was Mayor of Milton during the towns 100th anniversary celebrations and he took part in many of the events for the 150th anniversary.  These days, its hard to think of anyone else being Mayor of Milton other than Gord but…there he was.  He could keep crowds riveted with stories of Milton and was always amazed to see how the town was growing the way it has been since 2000.

Over the years, he has been behind the scenes helping out many Milton organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Hospital board, and as former president of the Milton Evergreen Cemetary, doing what he could to continue to help Milton be a great place to live.  He didnt want all the glory or recognition … he just wanted to do his part.  He will be missed.

Here is an article from the Champion on Mike being named Milton’s Senior of the Year.

Former mayor Ledwith named Senior of Year

He’s known for his humility and his preference for working behind the scenes.

So although disappointing, it somehow seemed in keeping with his nature that newly-named Senior of the Year Mike Ledwith wasn’t on hand Monday night to accept his award — although he no doubt would have been had he been able.

“He’s someone who quietly helps those in need in the community without drawing attention to himself,” said Director of Community Services Jennifer Reynolds at Monday’s town council meeting.

Two of Ledwith’s children, Peter Ledwith and Ellen Riordon, accepted the award for their father, who resides at Allendale.  “I really wish my dad could be here tonight,” said Peter.

Said Riordon: “My dad would say he only deserves this because of the help of everybody.”

This isn’t the first notable recognition for the elder Ledwith. In the early ’60s he was named Citizen of the Year, while in 1997 he was chosen to receive the Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“This is his hat-trick,” Peter joked.

Senior of the Year is a Provincial initiative designed to recognize a notable senior’s contributions. The Milton recipient is chosen from among nominations by the Town’s Community Services Advisory Committee.

Ledwith, 86, has worn many hats during his more than six decades in town, including mayor of Milton.

For more than 30 years, he owned and operated Ledwith’s grocery store, which eventually became Quality Greens at Main and Martin streets.  His volunteerism included 10 years as a member of the Milton District Hospital Board and he’s one of the founding members of the Rotary Club of Milton, which started in 1947. He remained active until just recently.

“Mike to me is the embodiment of a volunteer,” the Rotary Club of Milton’s Ries Boers told council. “He’s really set a good example for our club.”

Ledwith’s dedication helped keep the club alive during times when membership was at an all-time low, Boers said.  Among other feats, Ledwith has served at St. Paul’s United Church for more than 50 years and was a member of the Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre’s Song Spinners Chorus.

“He’s a very positive influence on everyone, putting others before himself,” Reynolds said.

 James Michael “Mike” Ledwith

LEDWITH, James Michael ‘Mike’ – Died peacefully at Allendale in Milton, Ontario on Saturday, July 3, 2010 in his 87th year. Survived by his three children Ellen Riordon (Dan), Linda Bitton (Dennis) and Peter Ledwith (Cindy). Predeceased by his wives Kathleen (Kay) Garbutt, Vere Henderson and Mary Emmerson. Greatly loved by his seven grandchildren Christopher (Andria), Tara (Stephen), Ryan (Caroline), Michele, Sean (Ana), Owen and Evan and by his great-granddaughter Sophie. He will be deeply missed by his younger brother Austan ‘Oz’ (Janette). Mike was extremely active in the town of Milton for over six decades, beginning in 1946, when he opened a small grocery store in town. ‘Ledwith’s Food Market’ grew to become a downtown landmark. He served the town as Mayor in Milton’s Centennial year of 1957; he was a Charter Member of the Milton Rotary Club in 1947 and remained active with the club until recently. He served on the Milton Hospital Board and the Milton School Board; he was President of Milton’s Evergreen Cemetery for more than 25 years. Mike was very involved with St. Paul’s United Church for more than 60 years. In the early 1960s, he was named Milton’s Citizen of the Year. In 1997, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milton Chamber of Commerce and very recently, he was declared Milton’s Senior Citizen of the Year for 2010. Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKERSIE-KOCHER FUNERAL HOME, 114 Main St., Milton, 905-878-4452, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday. The funeral service will be held at Grace Anglican Church, 317 Main St., Milton on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Paul’s United Church would be appreciated. Letters of condolence may be left for the family at www.mckersie-kocher.ca

Published in the Toronto Star on July 5, 2010