After 19 years on municipal council and decades of leadership and dedication to the Municipality of French River, 95-year-old Dean Wenborne has retired. “I’m finally deciding that at my age I better quit,” Wenborne told CTV News after his final council meeting Nov. 4. His wife, Earla, and their family were in the audience. “I think that it’s probably time that somebody younger took on this role and can contribute differently,” Wenborne said. “I don’t have a hell of a lot more to say.” Mayor Gisèle Pageau praised Wenborne’s leadership and his impact on the community. He was also presented with a certificate of appreciation and a basket of local goodies. “Dean is one of a kind,” Pageau said. “If you want to find out what happened in 1952 about a road or something like that, Dean will remember. He will remember who did it, what it cost and everything like that.” “Dean doesn’t just know the history of French River -- he lived it, he helped build it,” she said during her speech. Pageau, fellow councillors and municipal staff described Wenborne as a community historian, a leader, a mentor and a councillor who never shied away from controversy or compromise. “It’s difficult to imagine sitting around this council table without you, without your wisdom, your stories, your sense of humour,” Pageau told Wenborne during his final council meeting. She said Wenborne moved to Alban in 1947 and helped amalgamate the Municipality of French River in 1999, before running for council in 2007. “Fortunately, we’ve accomplished a lot, and I think because of that our citizenry also gives us a little room to maneuver when we want to spend a few dollars on something in particular,” Wenborne said. “But it’s always for the benefit of the people and the municipality … I’m grateful that people think that I was worth having around.” Now that he’s retiring, Wenborne said he’s looking forward to some quiet time, although municipal affairs will always be close to his heart. “At 95, I like to read a lot,” he joked. “But seriously, I would have my hand in anything that would help anywhere in the municipality. I’d always be ready if somebody on council said, ‘We got to get Dean to do something.’ I would do it.” “Dean is a phone call away,” Pageau said.
