Former Port Colborne councillor Steve Danch dies at 89

Steve Danch is being remembered by family and friends as a hard worker who was dedicated to the people of Port Colborne.

Danch died Thursday at Welland hospital at the age of 89.

During his life he gave back to the community through local organizations, his business and as a councillor. He owned and operated Reichman Lumber for 30 years, was a member of Welland and District Shrine Club and Clown Corp., and was a member of MacNab Lodge No. 169.

Scott Penwarden, president of the local Shrine Club, said he first got to know Danch through his father, who was the same age as Danch. Penwarden said he was a “fine gentleman” who was a hard worker.

“He was dedicated to what the Shrine does … He was passionate about helping others.”

Danch’s daughter, Karen Wolf, remembers her father’s passion for the Shrine Club. She said there were two sides to him — there was the strict side, and then there was the man who dressed up as a clown and did what he could for children in need.

“He was always there for you. He volunteered a lot and worked so hard and he raised us to keep our shoulders up and back straight,” she said of her father.

For Larry Peyton, chairman of the children’s committee for the Shrine Club, Danch was an inspiration. He sponsored Peyton to become a Shriner about 30 years ago.

“Steve was a strong family man, he was honourable and respected,” Peyton said.

Peyton said Danch enjoyed dressing up as a clown and meeting children. Danch would drive a miniature car during parades stopping along the way to speak to children.

Wolf said her father enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren as well as the children in the community.

“He dreamed of taking the kids to Disney … When it happened it was a dream come true,” she said fondly of her father.

Danch was married to Elizabeth Dremak for 63 years. They had three children, Janet Phillips, Wolf and Frank Danch.

Danch severed as Ward 2 Port Colborne councillor for more than a decade, first elected in 1960.

His daughter said he was so proud of being part of the city that he had a personalized licence plate made that read “PortColb.”

“He was an ambassador for Port Colborne … We are so very proud of him,” she said.