2006 News and Information
Former Richmond Mayor Gilbert Blair Mourned
February 2, 2006 |
| Mayor Gilbert J. Blair - 1981 Archives Photo |
Mr. Blair passed away on February 1, 2006. He had served as Mayor from 1974 to 1990 and was a member of Council from 1971 to 1973.
“We are truly saddened to hear of the passing of Gil Blair,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “He was not only a member of a pioneer Richmond family, he was a true pioneer in leading Richmond through an era of growth as it transformed from a small farming and fishing community into the thriving City of today.”
Gil Blair was descended from an Irish family that arrived in Richmond in 1879, the same year the municipality of Richmond was incorporated. The son of Archibald and Mabel Blair, he was born in 1926, one of six children. He married Barbara Gilmore, a descendant of Thomas Kidd, another pioneer settler, Councillor and Reeve (Mayor).
He graduated from UBC in agriculture and began working on the family farm in south Richmond in the early 1950s. He began his career in local politics when his father retired as an alderman in 1970. Mr. Blair was quoted in a local newspaper in 1993 saying that his inspiration to participate in public service came from his father, Archie Blair who served for eight years on the School Board and 22 years on Council.
Gil was also very proud of his father's record of service to Richmond and it is interesting to note that when Gil Blair was given the honour of being named a Freeman of the City in 1991 he was once again following in his father's footsteps as Archie Blair had that honour conferred upon him in October 1979.
Funeral services for Gil Blair will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Richmond Funeral Home.
