A large brick and mortar archway now bears the name of one of Barrie’s most fervent fans.
The newly unveiled J.C. Massie Field arch opening onto the football playing field was dedicated by Mr. Massie’s son, the Hon. Col. Jamie Massie and his daughter Marilyn Booth under a hot sun, Friday afternoon.
Their donation of $500,000 in their father’s name will enable Georgian College to furnish the sports field with equipment, lights and an electronic scoreboard.
Dignitaries were marched in behind bagpipes, as the unseasonably hot September sun beat down upon the assembled audience, many of whom sat under umbrellas or in the shade of a tent.
“What an honour it is for the Massie family to honour our father at the opening of the J.C. Field at Georgian College,” said Booth, who is a member of the college’s board of directors.
“We would like you to know he would be so, so proud to be here, surrounded by the very parts of life he valued most; family, education, youth, sport and hard work – and always giving all the time, more than he got.”
Mr. Massie’s two children, their seven children and the seven grandchildren attended the opening.
The Massies were joined by Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman, Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall, Simcoe North MPP and Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MP Alex Nuttall, Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard and several members of the Canadian Armed Forces from nearby CFB Borden.
Booth said her father, who died 11 years ago, worked hard for everything throughout his long life.
“He always said he really only had one free ride in his life, because he really believed in hard work. He was conceived in Scotland and came across the Atlantic in his mother’s womb with his family of five as they immigrated to Canada. He was a very successful immigrant and built a great life for his family and many others in this country,” Booth said.
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