Barry’s Bay – In the early morning of April 18, Mark Willmer passed away suddenly at his home on Mask Island in Barry’s Bay. Mark loved his little piece of paradise on the island that he shared with his partner Janet Adams. Mark was an avid photographer and would often post on social media beautiful photos of nature on the island and surrounding area. Mark and the Willmer family members spent many years here in The Madawaska Valley on the lake when his younger brother Bruce introduced him to the area. Mark loved the outdoors, nature, walking in the forest and the many lakes in the area. One day while visiting the area he and his brother Bruce noticed a cottage for sale and Bruce ending up buying the place so Mark ended up spending a lot more time in the area during the summer months.
Mark was also a music lover and over the years developed an extensive music and record collection. According to family members, he was a vinyl aficionado. His younger brother Bruce Willmer told the Gazette that Mark loved to create wonderful meals, and some folks claimed him a budding gourmet. He was always the first one in the family to adopt the newest and greatest cooking gadget if it allowed him to create his delicacies outdoors overlooking Kamaniskeg Lake. His pizzas, BBQ’s and other creations were often the centrepieces of his love for Janet, family reunions and his guests.
Mark moved to the area in 2011 and quickly became vested in the community. When the local ski hill went up for sale in the fall of 2011, Mark and a few family members ended up purchasing the ski hill and after a few meetings and a public meeting the Willmers entered into a lease agreement with the Township of Madawaska Valley for their first year of operating the ski hill. This helped the Willmers to get familiar with the operation of the ski hill.
After the first year the Willmers, under the direction of Mark, ran the ski hill for a couple more years. With snow being a problem most years the family decided to sell the property.
In the early years of municipal politics
Since his early teenage years Mark had a fascination with Canadian politics at all levels but always felt that municipal politics was where he could make a difference. He enjoyed the grassroots level and being able to meet face to face with constituents on the street.
He started his first job after attending University of Ottawa as a program and pool director in the Town of Arnprior.
Although he moved on to work in Nepean where he was involved in strategic management for recreational and cultural facilities, he continued to live in Arnprior. Arnprior was where he first got involved in municipal politics. Mark went on to serve the Town of Arnprior for over 22 years but took a two year break when his son Sebastian was born. Mark was one of the longest-standing councillors in Arnprior and received the highest honour, the town crest for his service. In Arnprior he sat on many committees: Museum Committee, Airport Commission, Library, BIA and Recreation Committee.
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