The Town of Nanton has lowered their flags in honour of a former councillor.
The flags went down to half-mast yesterday (Nov. 14) to honour the former Councilor, the late Mr. Charles "Dick" Fenton, and will remain lowered until November 15.
Mr. Fenton was born on December 7, 1943, in Cornwall, Ontario, and married his teenage sweetheart, Andrea Cunningham in 1965.
They had two children, Erin and Andrew.
Mr. Fenton began his career working for the Ontario Department of Highways and Transportation but eventually joined the Ontario Provincial Police, which led him to his childhood dream.
He had dreamed of becoming a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which he achieved, and had a long and distinguished career.
After retiring from the RCMP as a Corporal with the High River Detachment, Mr. Fenton became a member of the Nanton Town Council, where he served for nine years.
In addition to serving as a Town Councilor, Mr. Fenton also served on other committees in the community, such as the Nanton FCSS.
On top of being a member of the local Legion, he was also a past president and was a longtime member in good standing with the Retired Veterans Affairs.
Unfortunately, COVID restrictions meant that Mr. Fenton unable to attend meetings at the Legion.
Due to his career with the RCMP, he had an immense understanding and passion for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and held to his beliefs and integrity with pride.
Mr. Fenton's investigative skills which he honed while serving as a police officer were used while researching his Irish roots and family history, which caused him to develop an interest in genealogy.
During his time researching his family tree, he made several trips to Ireland, where he gathered information, including thousands of pages of documents about his family and history.
On top of being a genealogy enthusiast, he was an avid backyard mechanic and had a passion for restoring old cars, and listening to Irish Music and Toby Keith.
Mr. Fenton is survived by his wife Andrea, his daughter Erin Fenton, his Grandson Evan Salisbury, and his brothers and sisters Charlene (John) Toplensky of Blackfalds, Jack (Shauna) Fenton of Three Hills, Edi Kaus of Mississauga, Ontario, Carol (Miles) Maerz of Three Hills, Murray Fenton of Cornwall, Ontario, and sister-in-law Isabel Murray of Cornwall, Ontario, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Mabel and his stepmother Violet, his son Andrew Fenton, and brothers-in-law Kevin Murray, Mark Kaus, and Gary Paulson.
The wake will be held today (Nov. 14) at Lyle Reeves Funeral Home in High River from 2 to 5 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be held on Friday (Nov. 15) at the Nanton Baptist Church at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, people can make donations to PADS, the service dog organization.