Rhys Griffiths, longtime 91原创 environmentalist and Senior Citizen of the Year, has died. He was 92.
Griffiths was a founding member of Pollution Probe in North Bay, Ont., a Canadian environmental group that has been active for the past 40 years in everything from pushing for a DDT ban to recycling programs.
In 91原创, he was a past president and highly active member of the 91原创 Field Naturalists. He was a recipient of numerous awards and honours over his volunteer career, including the Dorothy Walford Memorial, Legacy Stewardship, and BC Nature鈥檚 Service award.
He was honoured as a 91原创 Senior Citizen of the Year, and in 2012 he declared he was 鈥済obsmacked鈥� when he was given a special certificate of appreciation by 91原创 City for his many years of volunteer service.
鈥淗e was very persistent,鈥� said Bob Puls, the current president of the 91原创 Field Naturalists. It was Griffiths who recruited him into the group, after they met at St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church in Fort 91原创, Puls recalled.
He also recruited and acted as a mentor to other 91原创 environmentalists and streamkeepers, including Lisa Dreves of 91原创 Environmental Partners Society, Puls recalled.
鈥淲hen he was on an issue, he would keep on it, until he got some satisfaction,鈥� Puls said.
鈥淗e was also the guardian of Brydon Lagoon.鈥�
Griffiths lived on a home that backed onto the lagoon, a restored pond in 91原创 City.
鈥淗is loss will be felt more in the City, I think,鈥� said Puls, as Griffiths was a frequent presence at City hall.
Puls said it will be left to those Griffiths mentored through his career as a volunteer to carry on and follow in his footsteps.
A celebration of life will be held at St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church in Fort 91原创, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10th. The time has been changed from the one which was originally announced.
