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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-11-07, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013.Local groups boughtby Orr Insurance Family crafts Ashley, left, and Colton Radford participated in a family pumpkin-carving contest at Hullett Central Public School and ended up with a massive masterpiece so large that Ashley had trouble keeping it held high for their picture. (Denny Scott photo) After nearly a year of hammering out the details, Orr Insurance and Investment of Stratford has purchased the Huron Insurance Managers Group (HIMG). The HIMG, which consists of Sholdice Insurance Ltd. of Brussels, Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers Inc. of Blyth, Seaforth Insurance Ltd. of Seaforth, Kleinknecht Insurance Broker Ltd. of Linwood and Lyons and Mulhern Insurance Brokers Ltd. of Goderich, have been in discussions with Orr for just shy of a year according to Elliott Nixon partner Rick Elliott. He stated there have been meetings between Orr and the HIMG that started in Dec. 2012, and the deal was finalized and announced on Nov. 1. Seven brokerages will operate under the Orr name according to a press release issued by the Stratford- based company. Doug Sholdice of Sholdice Insurance Ltd. stated that the move would give the entire group a stronger presence in the brokerage community and that it would be good for everyone involved, including the community and the existing staff of the organization. He also said that customers of the HIMG would barely notice a difference. “There will be next to no changes,” he said. “Most of the companies will be staying the same.” Elliott agreed, stating that everything would continue as it has but with some additional options available to customers. “It’s going to be business as usual with the same office and the same staff, just with more options,” Elliott said. The one change Sholdice did say was coming was that Randy Nixon, who formerly worked at Elliott Nixon before moving to the Orr group in Stratford, is slated to return and work at the Seaforth Insurance office. Beyond that, he believes that the names of all the companies and the staff will stay the same. In Orr’s press release, Jeff Orr states that the five members of the HIMG and the Orr company share premises, services and sizes and that those similarities will unite the organization. Elliott agreed, stating that the groups do have a lot in common. “Orr Insurance is a fourth- generation family-owned business, which fits in well with our offices,” he said. Continued from page 1 even in recent years. Their families vacationed together in Florida. “Murray loved his community and he cared about people,” Pearson said. Pearson remembers bringing his family to Ottawa alongside Murray where he met all the other MPs and even Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. “He was such a good host,” Pearson said. “That’s something that I’ll always remember.” George Langlois of Brussels, who along with Murray, was also a charter member of the Brussels Optimist Club, remembers Murray as a good guy. “I’ve known Murray for years,” Langlois said, adding that the two had taken trips together to go skiing in Quebec and that he “became quite a good friend” over those years. “I’ve never heard someone say anything bad about him,” Langlois said about Murray. “He was just that kind of guy. He fit in with everybody.” Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson said she grew up seeing Murray as an inspiration and she directly credits him with encouraging her to get into politics. “He encouraged people to get involved,” Thompson said in an interview with The Citizen. “I handed out my first young PC Party balloon at a trade show in Brussels and that balloon was in support of Murray Cardiff. I was 14.” Thompson says that one thing she learned from Murray was that everyone matters, and you always have to be there for the people in your constituency. “Murray led by example. He was a great ambassador of rural Ontario and he always made sure people got what they needed,” she said. Current Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb was similarly saddened to hear the news of Murray’s passing, saying that his thoughts immediately went to Murray’s family. “It is sad news for sure, but Murray lived a very full life. He lived a lot in his 79 years,” Lobb said. “I know that from a political standpoint, he was an elder statesman in a lot of ways.” Lobb says that even in his later years, Murray was still very active in the community and a very strong supporter of the Conservative Party. As an MP, Cardiff served on the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Finance. He also spent time on a task force investigating a National Trading Corporation that involved hearings in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. In 1983 Murray was the deputy- critic for the Ministry of State for Finance and one year later for the Ministry of Agriculture. Lobb said he also found Murray inspiring away from politics, adding that he was an accomplished farmer and businessman for years before he decided to run for office. Prior to being elected, Murray had served as the chairman of the White Bean Producers’ Marketing Board and participated in two missions to the United Kingdom in 1979. “He kept tremendously busy, but that’s just the Cardiff way. They’re good people and they’re always willing to help out,” Lobb said. “He’ll be missed in this community. “He was a shining example of how we should be. We should all be as hard-working and as dedicated as he was.” Murray was recently interviewed by the Huron Arts & Heritage Network as one of 21 seniors for the Honouring The Elders project. A one-hour interview with Murray will remain in the Huron County Museum’s archives. Murray’s funeral service took place on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Melville Presbyterian Church, where Murray had dedicated much of his time over the years. The service was officiated by Rev. Elwin Garland. Remembrances of Murray were given by his friend Steven Sparling and his cousin Peter Hemingway. The musical prelude was performed by Averly Kikkert and Jean Prescott, Murray’s sister, performed a reading from What Makes Us Siblings. Carrying floral tributes were Kendra Zurbrigg and Dan Pearson. Pallbearers were Bill Mathieson, Doug Lowe, Mary Ann Thompson, Doug McArter, Greg Wheeler and Daniel Pearson. After the funeral, the Cardiff family invited friends and family members to the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre for a time of refreshment and fellowship. Murray’s interment in Brussels Cemetery then took place on Monday morning with his family present. “By meeting Murray,” Sparling wrote in his eulogy, “I had the privilege to meet so many interesting people, and in turn, to have some of the most memorable experiences of my life. I thank Murray for this – and know that he touched and made a significant difference for many people in similar ways. And while some may suggest that a political career, a public service career like Murray’s was easy, of course, it is not.” As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Melville Presbyterian Church or the Brussels Optimist Club would be appreciated by Murray’s family. Online condolences may be left through the funeral home’s website at www.schimanskifuneralhome.com ERIC RAY ROBINSON Ray Robinson of Wingham passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. He was 59. Ray was the beloved son of the late Calvin and Jean (Purdon) Robinson and dear uncle of Chantell Robinson-Gregory and Mark Carreiro, London and Calvin Subject, Monkton. He was the brother-in-law of Myrna Lacroix, London and the great-uncle of Daniel and Kelsey Subject and Shaylean and Aryanna Gregory. He was predeceased by his brother Garry Robinson and his niece Sandee Subject. A graveside service was held at Wingham Cemetery on Nov. 1. Rev. Richard D. Hall officiated. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com GORDON HAROLD ROSS Mr. Gordon Ross of Braemar Retirement Centre, Wingham passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013. He was 75. Gordon was the beloved father of Eric and Debbie Ross of Brussels and Cameron Ross and Kim Peacock, Listowel. Gordon was the loving grandfather of Amy, Candice, Christopher, Jeremy, Elizabeth, Jamie and Tyler. He was the brother of Mary and Doug McQueen, Toronto and Malcom Ross and Pat Gillespie, Brampton. Gordon was the uncle of Brian McQueen and Heather Herbert. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Nettie (Casemore) Ross and sister Dorothy Beckett. A private family graveside service and Legion honours were held at Wingham Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rev. Jeff Hawkins officiated. Memorial donations to Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 218, Brussels would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com North St. West, Wingham Mac & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910 A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of Lasting Satisfaction BOX 158 WINGHAM ONT NOG 2W0 REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Answers to Crossword on Page 6 Obituaries Community mourns loss of long-time MP Sheepskin Rugs Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 Bainton’s Old Mill