Family, friends, colleagues and members of council gathered outside the Bradford Court House today to lower the flags to half-staff and stand for a moment of silence, in memory of Ward 2 Councillor Gary Baynes.
Baynes passed away on Saturday after a lengthy illness.
Mayor Rob Keffer thanked everyone in attendance.
Keffer and members of town council lowered the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury flag, while MP Scot Davidson lowered the Canadian flag, and MPP Caroline Mulroney lowered the flag of the province of Ontario.
Mulroney and her daughter, Miranda, had a special bond with Baynes, and were devastated to hear the news that their longtime friend and colleague had lost his battle.
Mayor Keffer noted how hard the pandemic had been on Baynes, being stuck indoors when he was such a social, outgoing member of the community who enjoyed mingling with the residents of Bradford.
"I think we all are in a little bit of disbelief that Gary Baynes has passed away, and coming together like this this morning to lower the flags to half mast is an opportunity for us to remember Gary, remember the good times, remember the type of person he was," said Keffer. "The type of person who loved this town, loved this community. He was a great friend, who really worked hard for the community. Gary made life better for all of us."
"Today I wore my Jays Jersey and jeans in respect because Gary was a jersey 'n jeans kinda guy," said Coun. Peter Ferragine. "I think he only owned one dress shirt, our first term on council - a burgundy one, but he wore it well," he said.
"I was fortunate to be a friend and colleague of Gary for the past six years. As you know Councillor Baynes was the 'self proclaimed math guy' who scrutinized every dollar, had a witty sense of humour and his departure is a huge blow to our team. The town, residents and council will all miss him," Ferragine said.
"I can say that Gary was a councillor that had great pride in his community. He loved to be called the math guy," said Coun. Mark Contois. "Gary worked hard for his residents and the community. It was my honour to have known Councillor Gary Baynes . You will be missed. Rest in peace."
"I only met Gary when he first ran for election in 2014 but didn’t take long to become friends with him," said Coun. Raj Sandhu. "He was proud of the community he lived in and the residents he served. Gary and I sat side by side at council and shared many stories and laughs."
Sandhu added, "I always called him 'Friendly Giant.' He will be missed by his colleagues and our community. I am glad I have gotten to know Gary since he became councillor. RIP my friend,"
Deputy Mayor James Leduc said "Councillor Baynes was an absolute gem on council. He always worked very hard for his residents. He used his humour in times when council needed a moment of relief after a long hard day of work. He loved his job as a councillor and treated every resident like they were a family member.
"He will be sorely missed and always remembered, Rest In Peace Gary Baynes," said Leduc.
"Gary was a community man. He lived all his life in BWG. When he ran for council in 2014 it was to give back to the community that he loved. Gary worked hard for the residents of Ward 2. Known as the numbers guy, Gary managed to see between the lines of numbers that most could not. He will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him," said Coun. Ron Orr. "Gary was a good friend and colleague."
"Gary was a great man, and especially a great father, looking out for his two daughters," noted Coun. Peter Dykie. "Gary was a caring man of the community and family plus friends. Math was his strength. He always worked so in-depth with the tax budget, keeping a watchful eye on the tax dollar. Gary Baynes loved Bradford and the roots of our great community, BWG. My deepest condolence to his family."
After the lowering of the flags, trumpeter Bernie Schmider played Amazing Grace, followed by a minute of silence.
A celebration of life is planned at a later date.
To honour Baynes' lifelong commitment to sports, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury has established the Gary Baynes Memorial Sports Fund, to help disadvantaged kids overcome the financial barriers that may keep them from participating in sports.
Baynes himself played basketball, volleyball, soccer and badminton, and participated in track and field at Bradford District High School. He went on to play competitive fastball, and was the top hitter for the Village Inn, Queen's Hotel, and Bradford Macs teams - and led the Queen's Hotel to the All Ontario Championship in 1974 vs. Elliott Lake, driving in the winning run in Game 3.
Cheques to the Gary Baynes Memorial Sports Fund should be payable to The Town of BWG (memo: Gary Baynes Memorial Sports Fund) and mailed to Skwarchuk Funeral Home, P.O. Box 318, Bradford ON L3Z 2A9.
