Reeve William John Lyon "Lyon" Findlater

1886 - 1957  (70 years)

• Name	William John Lyon "Lyon" Findlater
  Prefix	Reeve
  Born	29 Nov 1886	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3]
  Gender	Male
  Elected Office	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Reeve - Ayr
  Interesting	story, public service, politics
  Public Service	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	cemetery board
  Public Service	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	school board
  Name	Lyon Findlater
  Occupation	1911	Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Farmer Son
  Residence	1911	Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Presbyterian
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-339390
  Died	8 Jun 1957	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Cause: Cause: Heart Attack
  Buried	11 Jun 1957	Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  Person ID	I339390	Generations
  Last Modified	12 May 2024

  
  

  Father	Robert Findlater,   b. 10 Aug 1836, New York City, New York, USA. ,   d. 4 Nov 1913, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Marion H. Lyons,   b. 23 Sep 1858, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 9 Mar 1932, Burlington, Halton Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)
  Married	18 Nov 1885	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5]
  Family ID	F19038	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary "Mamie" Kathleen Birley,   b. 31 Jan 1887, Burford, Burford Twp., Brant Co., Ontario ,   d. 7 Nov 1967, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 80 years)
  Married	17 Jun 1914	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Children	1. Mary K. Findlater,   b. 1928,   d. 1994  (Age 66 years)
  Last Modified	13 May 2024
  Family ID	F248074	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Ayr Reeve Dies Suddenly - Shocked and almost unbelieving, the citizens of Ayr learned Saturday morning of the death of their reeve, Lyon Findlater, 70, who succumbed to a heart attack during the night. One of the village's most popular figures, Mr. Findlater had been busy on Friday supervising road work, and later in the afternoon tending the Ayr Cemetery. While at this task he became ill and returned home. Late in the night his condition became acute and he passed away about 1: 30 a.m. Saturday. There had been no previous indication of ill health for Mr. Findlater, who had sat at the head of the council table only four days previous discussing village affairs in which he anticipated, taking an active part. Native of North Dumfries Mr. Findlater was born in North Dumfries, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Findlater. He was married 43 years ago to the former Mamie Birley, who survives. For many years he farmed on the Wrigley's. Road, before coming to Ayr eight years ago Served on School Board While in the township Mr. Findlater showed a deep interest in community affairs, for which he found an outlet by serving on the Wrigley's school board. He was also secretary-treasurer of the former Township School Area No. 2. For many years he was superintendent of the Ayr-Wrigley's county road. Third Term as Reeve Upon removal to Ayr, Mr. Findlater accepted nomination to Ayr Council, and served continuously until his death. He was filling the reeve's chair for his third term this year. Admirable Approach to Council Work Mr. Findlater approached his municipal duties with a frank and unbiased attitude. His opinions were always openly stated, but he was a willing listener to the views of his colleagues and the ratepayers. One of his outstanding characteristics was his innate kindliness. In all his years on council he was never known to be vindictive or unfair. Any necessary unpleasant decisions he was forced to make were always softened with a smile. Cemetery Board Official Mr. Findlater had been the efficient secretary-treasurer of the Ayr Cemetery Company and cemetery caretaker for several years. Socially Active Socially, he was a valued member of the Ayr curling and bowling clubs and of Ayr Masonic Lodge. He seldom missed, a euchre party or other entertainments sponsored by local organizations. - Supporter of Hockey - Mr. Findlater was an ardent hockey fan, and in his capacity as reeve and Community Centre Board chairman he always gave favorable consideration to requests of the Ayr clubs. Whenever a hockey playoff game fell on a council meeting night he pushed the business with alacrity to permit his attendance at part of the contest. Politically, Mr. Findlater had Liberal views and was an official of the constituency association. He was a faithful member of Knox United Church. The. Survivors Surviving, besides his wife, are a daughter, Mrs. Henry Fetter (Mary), Ayr, and a brother, Roy, of Galt. Five grandchildren also survive. The Funeral The largely attended funeral was held from Knox United Church on Tuesday, the service being conducted by Rev. R. D. Thompson. The profusion of floral tributes bore mute testimony of the esteem of his many friends. Interment was made in Ayr Cemetery. The pallbearers were: A. Erb Clark, John H. Dance, G. S. Dalrymple, Warren Vincent, Erie Sharp and M. E. Smith. Honorary pallbearers were: J. S. Knapp, James Johannes, Warden Herbert Schnarr, David Herriot, Floyd Becker and R. G. Ford. Prior to the service, senior pupils of Ayr Public School filed past the casket. Masonic Service On Sunday evening a service under the auspices of Ayr Masonic Lodge was held at Little's Funeral Home, Galt. The Ayr News Jun 13 1957 pg 1

  
  

• Sources

  [S180] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1901, Dumfries (North) B-4 Page 5. [S562] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1911, Div 3. Pg. 15. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link . Findlater/ In Loving memory of/ Wm. Lyon Findlater/ 1886 - 1957/ his wife/ Mamie K. Birley/ 1887 - 1967/ at Rest [S721] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, marriage certificate 11781 (1886), Findlater-Lyons. Robert Findlater, 49, Farmer, res. North Dumfries b. New York, son of George Findlater and Elizabeth Lyon, Married Marion Lyons, 29, res. North Dumfries, b. Same, daughter of James Lyons and Elsie Jane Kenney, Wittness(es) - John Findlater and William Lyons, both of North Dumfries, 18 Nov 1885 at North Dumfries [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Name: Marion Lyons Age: 29 Birth Date: abt 1856 Birth Place: North Dumfries Marriage Date: 18 Nov 1885 Marriage County or District: Waterloo Father: James Lyons Mother: Elsie Jane Kenney Lyons Spouse: Robert Findlater Spouse's Age: 49 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1836 Spouse Birth Place: New York Spouse Father: George Findlater Spouse Mother: Elizabeth Lyon [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Name: William Lyon Findlater Age: 27 Birth Date: abt 1887 Birth Place: North Dumfries Marriage Date: 17 Jun 1914 Marriage County or District: Waterloo Father: Robert Findlater Mother: Marion Lyons Spouse: Kathleen Mary Birley Spouse's Age: 27 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1887 Spouse Birth Place: Burford, Ontairo Spouse Father: Charles Birley Birley Spouse Mother: Kathleen Birley

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 29 Nov 1886 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - Reeve - Ayr - - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Public Service - cemetery board - - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Public Service - school board - - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Farmer Son - 1911 - Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 17 Jun 1914 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Cause: Heart Attack - 8 Jun 1957 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - 11 Jun 1957 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth