It is with great sadness that the family of Birks Wherrett announces his passing at the Dryden Regional Health Center, on March 26, 2003.
Birks was born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba, July 12, 1927, to Alfred and Olive Wherrett.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Peggy of 53 years, sons Tom and Mark, daughters Iris (Lenard) Haukeness, and Lynn (Cam) McMillan, four grandsons Bradly (Bobby-Jo) and Murry Haukeness, and Andrew and Ian McMillan, brothers John and Barry, numerous nieces and nephews, and great-grandchildren Brooke and Hunter Haukeness.
Birks came to Dryden in 1947 with the Royal Bank of Canada. He was transferred out in 1949, but came back to Dryden shortly after where he started work in 1951 at the Dryden Paper Mill. He met and married Peggy in 1950.
Birks was predeceased by his mother in 1970, his father in 1947, and his sister-in-law Eileen Wherrett in 1996.
He moved to Dryden permanently in 1949 and immediately took an active roll in Dryden life, with The Red Sox Baseball Club being a major part of his life for 18 years. The old Golf course and curling rink then became a focal point of his recreational and organizational skills.
Birks served on the Town Council for a total of 14 years looking after various portfolios, including Athletic and Recreation Commission, Finance, and Board of Works. After the loss of the Arena and Curling Rink to a fire, he was proud to be a part of the rebuilding of the arena, golf course and curling rink. Also, during his tenure on Council, they built a Public Safety Building, three senior’s apartments, and a minimal care home.
During this time, he found enough time to build a camp on Parker’s Point, which was the focal point of many celebratorial gatherings for family and friends, Pulp Mill fish fries, Christmas parties, and many impromptu gatherings.
Birks tenure in the Paper Mill eclipsed the name changed of the Company at least four times and took him from positions from the Wainwright Power House, Digester, Bleach Plant, Tour Foreman, Woodroom Supervisor, and Yard and Utility Supervisor before his retirement in January of 1987. Within a year of his retirement, Birks suffered a stroke that deprived him of his ability for sustained conversation. With the help of his co-pilot Peg, they managed a few years of travel to Florida, Arizona, and the West Coast.
In the latter years, recreation consisted of morning golf games with “the boys” – a crew whose kindness and patience will never be forgotten.
His local grandson’s growing success at golf and curling brought him a great deal of pleasure in the waning years.
A memorial service was held at the Dryden Community Funeral Home on Saturday March 29, 2003, at 1:00p.m. with Legion Honour Guard and Rev. Mary Mennell officiating.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Health Centre Equipment Fund, through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.
