Mark Willmer is being remembered as a kind and thoughtful family man who dedicated his life to public service.
Mark Willmer is being remembered as a kind and thoughtful family man who dedicated his life to public service and was a strong advocate for the community.
The mayor of Madawaska Valley and a former Arnprior councillor passed away suddenly, leaving family, friends and colleagues saddened and shocked.
Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon met Willmer in the early 1990s and said he was always struck by how kind he was.
Willmer served as mayor of Madawaska Valley since 2022, after being a councillor from 2018 to 2022. He represented the township on County Council and served on multiple committees over the course of his tenure as mayor.
Prior to living and working in Madawaska Valley, Willmer lived in Arnprior and Ottawa, where he worked for decades in municipal government and eventually served as a councillor.
It was in that capacity that Emon first met him, noting the lasting impression he left on those he met.
Willmer was extremely proud of the progress the community was making and was always a “pretty staunch” defender of it.
Politics in Renfrew County is pretty small and you get to know people, said Emon.
Among Emon’s recent memories of Willmer was the grand opening celebration of Eganville’s new ambulance base.
The MV mayor was very happy to see expansion and growth moving westward and not just near the Highway 17 corridor.
Emon said Willmer’s staff and council were a source of pride for and they will no doubt miss his leadership and wise counsel. Willmer was also very proud of his family and their journeys to success.
Among the many tributes and condolences was a statement from Arnprior Mayor Lisa McGee.
“Mark had a long history with the Town of Arnprior as a former resident, employee and councillor from 1989 to 2003 and 2006 to 2010,” she wrote. “Mark was a well-respected leader then and now and his commitment to the residents of both Arnprior and Madawaska Valley will be remembered with fondness.”
A public service for Mark Willmer will be held on May 1 at the Paul Yakabuski arena in Barry’s Bay from 5-7 p.m.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)