Former councillor spent lifetime serving Cobourg
As a member of Cobourg council, Bob Spooner would put his community first, Mayor Lucas Cleveland recalls.
“As he once said, he voted on decisions for our community with the welfare of all Cobourg residents, not special interest groups, in mind,” Cleveland said in a statement released by the town.
Spooner, who served a total of 25 years over eight consecutive terms on Cobourg council, died on Saturday at the age of 88. The town has lowered its flags in honour of the former councillor.
Cleveland said Spooner leaves behind a legacy of determination, integrity, and dedication to community.
During his time on council, Spooner held positions of councillor and deputy mayor, spending a great deal of time investing in change for a better future.
“Mr. Spooner dedicated his life to serving our community and demonstrated the unwavering courage to always do what was right for the majority,” said Cleveland.
During his 25-year tenure on council, he was a part of decisions that were of tremendous benefit to residents and continue to shape community living today, the municipality stated.
These projects include the creation of Legion Fields, a celebrated softball facility, the purchase of Northam Industrial Park, which today is mortgage-free and provides the town with a source of nontax revenue and the Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Rink, offering free access to skating for the entire community.
He also assisted in raising money
for Pad 2 at the Cobourg Community Centre and community lights for Donegan Park and Legion Fields.
In addition to municipal council, he served his community as a school board trustee and served the sports community as a baseball umpire and hockey referee and coach.
In an interview with Northumberland News in 2017, Spooner talked about the path he and his wife Beverley took to get to Cobourg.
He was working for a college in Sarnia when he was laid off and offered a job as a purchasing agent with the Northumberland-Newcastle Board of Education office in Cobourg. He had to ask where Cobourg was.
He eventually left the job to run for a spot on the school board (which he won) and later for Cobourg council (which he also won).
During those years, he opened Spooner’s Office Supplies and then went to work at Lloyd McKeen’s car dealership.
“A politician and a car salesman,” Beverley pointed out.
Bob recalled the day someone came into McKeen’s in a foul mood and told him, “I hate car salesmen and I hate politicians.”
“I told him, ‘Well, you’ve got both,’ ” he said.
A celebration of life will be held at MacCoubrey Funeral Home Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m.
A private family burial will be held at Cobourg Union Cemetery at a later date. The family has asked that people consider a donation to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, or Church on the Hill.