A second dedication for the Friends of Village Square Program was held Thursday in Cumberland where family members, friends and village officials paid tribute to the memory of six former residents.
The honorees include Alvin Tantrum, who owned a barbershop in Cumberland; Jack Bennie, a former village councillor; Donald (Digger) Briggs; George and Mae Kelly; and Ron Bannerman, who was known as Mr. History of the Comox Valley.
“He was always very active, always pro-Cumberland, always conscious of making sure that it was growing and moving ahead,” Cindy Bannerman said of her late husband. “I know he would be proud to be with the others, because when they were alive they were always talking and laughing and joking.”
For each gift of $500 an individual’s name is affixed to a Tupana Blue marble stone. Last year, former mayor Fred Bates gifted the first marker in memory of his late wife Barb.
Proceeds will help maintain the park that was once a gas station. A total of $108,000 helped establish the park, which opened in 2010. The Province contributed half the funds while the Village and Island Coastal Economic Trust split the other half.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
