OWEN LINDSAY

Owen Fenwick Lindsay, born June 30, 1917 in Tugaski, Sask., passed away in Atikokan Hospital in Atikokan, Ont. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005.
He was raised on a farm by hard-working parents during many years of drought, hailstorms, sandstorms, and insect infestations. Observing and experiencing the hardships of those early years began the formation of his belief in social justice and a caring society for all.
As a young adult, Owen worked at a variety of jobs, farming, truck driving, mining in the Yukon, and building planes in Fort Erie.
In 1945, he moved to Atikokan with his wife, Edith, to work as a mechanic at Steep Rock Iron Mines. There, he was active in the United Steel Workers local as shop steward and president.
He was instrumental in promoting health and safety standards at a time when few such programs existed. He also was chair of the union committee that built the union hall and bowling alley.
He was on the first Board of Governors of the Atikokan General Hospital, which replaced the original Red Cross outpost with the hospital in Don Park, and later served as the chair of the board, all the time working for universal health care through political action.
Owen eventually left mining to open Lindsay’s Home Furnishings, where he and his wife, Edith, worked together for many years. During that time, he became active on the executive of the Chamber of Commerce working in tourism promotion.
Elected to the Atikokan School Board, he became the first chairman when Atikokan became a township. He achieved his goal at the time to raise Atikokan teachers’ salaries from one of the lowest in Ontario to the highest and, in turn, attracted exceptional teachers.
He was an early chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, which provided recreational activities for the growing community.
In 1965, he became an industrial millwright and worked on various locations across Canada until 1984, when he retired at 67 years of age.
Following his retirement, he initiated the formation of the Atikokan Energy Conservation Committee and became its chair. Atikokan was chosen as one of three pilot projects in Ontario to initiate community-based energy conservation projects.
One of his last active volunteer commitments was as Chairman of the Non-Profit Housing Committee which built the River Terrace seniors’ apartments.
He was an active member of the CCF and the New Democratic Party, and worked on every provincial and federal election since 1943, including running as a candidate in 1959 and 1963.
But his greatest pride was his children and grandchildren. His assistance on their many renovation projects, support and attendance at their year-round activities, and summers with them at Eva Lake—fishing, boating, planting trees, blueberry picking, political debating, and sharing recipes—brought him great joy.
Owen was pre-deceased by his wife, Edith, in 1998; son-in-law, Ed Johnson in 1997; brother, Don in 2003; and grandson, Adam, in August, 2005.
He is survived by his three children, Marlene Lindsay (Iain Angus) of Thunder Bay, Ont., Colin Lindsay (Linda) of Atikokan, Ont., and Heather Johnson of Kamloops, B.C.; grandchildren, Laura Gatto (Peter) of Guelph, Ont., Sarah Young (Jamie) of Atikokan, Ont., Cal Lindsay (Ann) of Guelph, Ont., Rebecca Augier of Hamilton, Ont. Raymond Lindsay (Melanie) of London, Ont., Patrick Lindsay (Diane) of Fernie, Robin McKinley (Matt) of Kamloops, B.C., and Sue DeGrazia (Mike) and Christie Johnson of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by two brothers, Hugh (Helen) of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Albert (Grace) of Thornhill, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Owen believed and lived the following quote by Tommy Douglas: “Courage my friends, ‘tis not too late to make a better world.”
Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 4, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Riverview United Church in Atikokan.
In lieu of flowers, Owen requested that donations be made to the Atikokan General Hospital or to a charity of your choice.