WELLINGTON COUNTY – Mapleton Township’s first mayor, Carl Hall, died on Dec. 31. He was 87 years old.
According to his obituary, Hall “dedicated his life to farming, operating the family farm in Peel Township throughout his career.”
He also served his community through municipal politics, serving over several decades as County of Wellington councillor, Peel Township councillor, Mapleton’s first mayor (following municipal amalgamation) and county warden.
“Carl was warden for a year (in 2002); he was a complete gentleman and always conducted himself with class and represented the county well in every venue he was in,” county chief administrative officer Scott Wilson told the Advertiser.
He noted Hall was a “good guy” and a “great collector of teapots.”
“He had the county’s best interest at heart all the time,” said Wilson.
Longtime friend John Green, former Mapleton mayor and former county warden, spoke highly of Hall.
“He was a genuine person … there was nothing but a trace of honesty in everything he did,” Green told the Advertiser.
The two met in the early 1980s.
“We became very good friends through the years both in politics and other things that interested both of us,” Green added.
“He was a gentleman in every way.”
Beyond his political and agricultural pursuits, Hall served as a clerk at auction sales and spent time on numerous committees in the county.
Green noted Hall was also heavily involved with the Peel Maryborough Mutual Insurance Company (now Edge Mutual).
He was also a “dedicated member” of the Alma Optimist Club and the Alma United Church.
Hall spent 62 years married to his wife Margaret, before she died last year on Aug. 13.
Mourning his loss are his children Cheryl Lynn (Joseph), Barry and Greg (Colleen). Hall was also a proud grandfather and great grandfather.
Many people shared condolences on Hall’s obituary.
“Your dad was someone who always had a smile on his face when I saw him,” one post stated.
Hall enjoyed extensive travel, exploring both Canada and a variety of international destinations.
Family was paramount to him and he cherished spending quality time with loved ones, states the obituary web page.
A gathering to celebrate Hall’s life was to be held at the Alma Community Centre on Jan. 7, where guests could drop in and pay their respects.
A small graveside service was to be held the next day at the Elora Municipal Cemetery.
“In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Carl may be made to the Alma Community Centre or the Canadian Lung Association and are greatly appreciated by his family,” the obituary concluded.
