Victor M. POWER

1934 - 2024

VICTOR M. POWER, B.A. C.M. February 22, 1934 - February 3, 2024 Victor Michael Power has passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the age of 89 years. Mr. Power was elected the sixteenth Mayor of Timmins in November 1980, after having served twelve years as an alderman. He became the longest serving Mayor in the history of the City of Timmins. He served twenty years as Mayor, of what is, at twelve hundred and twenty-four square miles, Ontario's third largest municipality. Highlights of his career as Mayor included the downtown revitalization program, the expansion of infrastructure throughout the city, the founding of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, the planning for the TeleTech Call Centre project and the Shania Twain Centre, as well as the successful completion of the 'DEBT FREE' Program. Mr. Power served for many years as Chairman of the Northeastern Ontario Mayors Action Group which was involved with transportation, and was, from 1989 to 1992, a Commissioner of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. He also served as a Vice President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), as well as on numerous Boards and Commissions. Mr. Power was a graduate of the University of Windsor (B.A. Class of 1960), the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto, and was for many years Head of the Guidance Department at Timmins High and Vocational School. In 2001, Mr. Power was awarded membership on the Honour roll of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. In 2002, he received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his service to the community. Mr. Power retired from the Mayor's Office in November 2000, but came out of retirement and returned to the Mayor's Office on December 4, 2003. May 2006 – Recipient of the Municipal Long Service Medal from the Province of Ontario – 32 years of service. September 2006 – Recipient of the Chamber of Commerce 'President's Award' for his dedication and determination in creating economic opportunity in the City of Timmins. He retired from the Office of Mayor in 2006. In 2007, the City of Timmins renamed the Airport as the 'TIMMINS VICTOR M. POWER AIRPORT.' In November of 2007, Mr. Power was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Timmins Porcupine. In December 2008, the dedication of Victor M. Power to Municipal Government received national recognition with the announcement that he was one of 42 Canadians to be named to the Order of Canada by Her Excellency Governor General Michaëlle Jean. In 2012, Mr. Power was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth the Second Diamond Jubilee Medal. In retirement years, Mr. Power served on the Attorney General's Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee as well as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the East End Health Clinic. Mr. Power was one of the fourteen children born to John and Lila Power, pioneer residents of Timmins. He is survived by his wife, Anna Clarice (nee Dillon) of Timmins; his son, Dr. Kevin Victor Power (Christine); and his grandchild, Evelyn Marie Rose Power of Ottawa. Mr. Power is also survived by his siblings, Clifford (late Madeleine), Lila McNamara (late James), Ronald (Joyce) and Elaine. He was predeceased by his siblings, William, Honorah, John (Gail), Charles (late Geraldine), Catherine Buesnel (late Mac), Joseph (Margaret), Mary McCool (late Leonard), Edmund and Leonard. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Lessard Funeral and Cremation Centre in Timmins. A private family service will take place at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Timmins, Ontario. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Online condolences and remembrance donations to the Timmins Symphony Orchestra or the Timmins and District Hospital can be made at: www.lessardstephens.com