New letters of condolence (4:05 p.m. update)

SooToday.com has received the following letters of condolence regarding the passing of Mayor John Rowswell.

************************* Russ Hilderley

Eight years ago, the Chamber of Commerce asked me to help them boost the spirits of the community by highlighting good news stories.

John Rowswell was our rookie mayor.

He exuded a certain confidence that raised expectations, at least in my view.

It didn't take to long to root out several good news stories John had inspired.

In spite of nay-sayers who never see the glass half full, he pursued, persisted and persuaded!

We luncheoned on several occasions when I was running thin on stories.

One day at lunch, he received a phone call from a cabinet minister while we munched our salads.

He was talking to a friend, indeed.

John left that afternoon to drive down I-75.

He was cultivating a friendship with the vice-president of a major department store chain centred in Indiana or Illinois.

It was pursuing the multi-modal and transpolar projects with vigour.

I know the city was not asked to re-imburse him for this and a lot of other "beach softening"sojourns.

The longer John persisted, the more the good news stories flowed.

Thanks to John, and thanks to Q104 and EZ Rock, the fruit of his labours began to be revealed.

The past five years of John Rowswell's fervour for our future has initiated so many positives for us as a community, it has spawned even more visions of successes yet to come!

Our city is greatly indebted to Mrs.Rowswell and family for her magnanimous sharing of her husband's time and talents.

No man could maintain such focus and be so generous with his time and abilities for all of us unless his wife and family provided the security, solace and support that inspired him to continue even under such trying circumstances that would crush most lesser men.

Hopefully the good news stories will continue as ongoing tributes to John Rowswell, well into the future.

Salutations to all, Russ  Hilderley

************************* Algoma University

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has suffered a great loss with the passing of Mayor John Rowswell.

He will be remembered by the Algoma University community as a man committed to the success of this city, with strategic vision and a passion for Sault Ste. Marie and its people.

Mayor Rowswell's courage and determination, which have been such a great asset to the city for the past ten years, were embodied in his fight with the cancer that ultimately took his life. "John was a great supporter of Algoma University and young people in our community" said Brady Irwin, chair of the Algoma University Board of Governors. "Our success during the past few years is built in part on support from City Council, led by John. Our legacy will be forever intertwined with John's legacy as mayor. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and want them to know how much their loss is felt across our city."

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