KAGAWONG—The community of Billings Township and Manitoulin Island as a whole will greatly miss Gerry Mack, a Billings councillor, Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) board member and all-around contributing Island resident who sadly passed away late last month.

“We were all shocked at the passing of Gerry last week,” said MHC CEO Derek Graham during the board’s AGM last week. “I attended his memorial service today and learned more about his passion as a teacher, his tenacity of spirit, humor and fondness for practical jokes. He will certainly be missed by myself and I’m sure everyone around this table.”

Mr. Mack was a community minded individual who was involved in both the Billings and Manitoulin community in many ways in addition to his role on Billings council, on the MHC board and as a charter member of the Noelville Lions Club.

Mr. Mack died at his residence on Wednesday, June 18 at the age of 67. He was born in Montreal and was the son of the late Edward and Joy (Chapman) Mack. He was a well-respected teacher and taught physics, math and chemistry in the French River area. In 1973, he and his wife Ria purchased Viva Villa and in 1999 made Manitoulin their home year-round.

Billings Township council is to meet tonight, Wednesday, July 2, for its scheduled meeting, at which council will discuss how to move forward to fill the vacant councillor’s seat.

Mayor Aus Hunt explained that council is unable to continue over 90 days without the seat being filled, so council must decide how they will move forward.

“It’s not likely we will have an election for the three remaining months left (of council’s term),” said Mayor Hunt. “We will need to decide if we request interested individuals to submit letters of interest for council to choose from (to fill the vacant council seat) or if council has another suggestion.”