Willard Kinzie
Willard L. Kinzie (9 September 1919 – 25 November 2018) was a businessman and former mayor of Barrie, Ontario.[1] After serving as an Alderman, Willard was elected as mayor of the then town and served at the time that it reincorporated as a city. He played a central role in many of the issues affecting Barrie, such as various annexation reviews and the development of the waterfront. As a businessman, he ran a successful milk delivery business earning him the nickname 'The Milk Man'.
Willard L. Kinzie | |
|---|---|
| 36th Mayor of Barrie | |
| In office 1957–1961 | |
| Preceded by | R. Eldon Greer |
| Succeeded by | Lester Cooke |
| Barrie Town Council Alderman | |
| In office 1952–1953 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 September 1919 |
| Died | 25 November 2018 (aged 99) Barrie, Ontario |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Kinzie (deceased) |
| Children | 3 |
Background
Kinzie was raised in a farm neighbourhood, between Cambridge, Ontario and Kitchener, Ontario, during the Great Depression. With a shortage of work, he went overseas to work for government from 1942 to 1945.[2] He used his earnings to begin his dairy career, which his father and uncles were also in.
Business career
In 1945 Kinzie purchased a small, one-route dairy in the Guelph area, which he sold in 1947. That same year he moved to Barrie and purchased Lakeview Dairy on Dunlop Street East which he continued to run until 1975.[3]
References
- Vanderlinde, Rick (26 November 2018). "Willard Kinzie, City of Barrie's first mayor, dies". Barrie Advance. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- "At 95 years of age, former mayor hasn't lost interest in local politics". The Barrie Examiner. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- McInroy, Ian (4 December 2013). "Barrie's first mayor shares legacy with family". The Barrie Examiner.