Long-serving northern mayor Hector Lavigne dies suddenly

Callander Mayor Hector Lavigne has died at the age of 63. (Municipality of Callander)

Sudbury — The long-serving mayor of Callander, Ont., Hector Lavigne, has died suddenly at the age of 62.

Lavigne is being remembered by friends, family, the municipality, and colleagues across the north.

"Members of Council, staff and residents are deeply saddened by the terrible news," said Chief Administrative Officer Mike Purcell. "I extend our condolences, thoughts and prayers to Mayor Lavigne's family and loved ones. He will be truly missed by many."

He was first elected to council in 2000, and was on numerous local and regional boards.

"I’m thinking of the broadband and fast internet for the rural regions. I was working with him on that and just a number of different projects, but he always thought regionally. He never thought of just Callander or North Bay," said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald.

"He sat on a board and we would have dinner in Toronto frequently. He sat on a board that gave investments in Métis businesses throughout the north, and Hector fought very, very hard for Métis here in the riding of Nipissing," said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.

As a long-time member of the Callander legion, he’s being remembered as playing a big part in renovating the cenotaph and bringing North Bay police patrol to the small town.

Marc Picard is the president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Callander Branch 445.

"Hector was a fantastic guy. He always had time and made time for everybody. He treated everyone the same and he always had great advice and he’d always tell you like it is," said Picard.

No funeral arrangements have been provided at this time.

The municipality is sending its condolences to his family and friends.