Haldimand mourns passing of second councillor
JARVIS—Less than a month after the passing of Ward 4 Councillor Marie Trainer, Haldimand is mourning the loss of another iconic political figure as Ward 1 Councillor Stewart Patterson passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Patterson first won his seat in 2018. It took three campaigns to get there, but Patterson believed in himself and the values that drove him to seek several community-focused roles.
“He has just always been the type of person who has a large reach and wants what’s best for his community,” said his wife, Nancy. “He didn’t like to just talk about how things could be better, he wanted to be a part of enacting positive change.”
Patterson grew up in Northern Ireland. His father, a WWII veteran, served as a trade union officer, on government committees, and campaigned as a candidate for the Northern Ireland Labour Party in 1965.
“Stew lost both of his parents quite young, so I think in some way he was following in his father’s footsteps as a way to connect with him,” said Nancy.
Patterson started his foray into politics as a member of the local NDP riding organization, where he co-ordinated both provincial and federal campaigns locally.
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady recalled meeting Patterson for the first time during a campaign in 2011.
“I met him when I was running a campaign for Toby Barrett. Stew was the campaign manager for the NDP candidate,” recalled Brady. “I really liked Stew. I would stay after all candidates’ nights, and I would have conversations with Stew.… It was very cordial, there was very little mudslinging, and it was the way politics should look. That’s how I’m going to remember Stew, meeting him on that campaign.”
In addition to his campaign work, Patterson served as a representative for the Political Action Committee for years, advocating for the rights for Stelco Union Steel Workers Local 8782.
Stew also joined the Lions Club 37 years ago, hoping to enjoy some good meals at the meetings and ultimately finding a place to call home: “Stew was all about having fun and enjoying life. Surrounding himself with positive, supportive people made him the person he was,” said Nancy.
Two of Patterson’s closest friends were fellow Lions Anthony Southworth and Randy Dove. Southworth met Patterson 28 years ago through the Lions, while Dove first met him working at Stelco in 1980.
“He knew the Lions’ motto – ‘We Serve’ – and that’s what he wanted to do. To give back,” said Southworth.
Patterson served terms as the club’s president and as district governor. Southworth spoke of the swearing in ceremony, an Irish Spring Fling inspired by Patterson’s heritage.
“He was very, very proud of that…. Everyone was behind him like he’d never seen before,” said Southworth, recalling the vast number of supporters in attendance.
Dove was involved in Patterson’s political campaigns, dating back to his first run at Council in 2010.
“People would ask him questions; I remember him saying ‘I can get an answer, but you might not like the answer’. He was up front with them, he wasn’t sugar-coating anything,” said Dove.
Southworth echoed the sentiment, “He made commitments, not promises.”
The pair recalled the night Patterson won his Ward 1 seat in 2018. Stew wanted to be by himself while the results came in, but once announced they quickly congregated to share in the celebration.
“We wanted to be there for him because we’d been in his campaigns,” said Southworth.
Dove added, “I always asked why he never ran for provincial. ‘I don’t want nothing to do with that’, (Stew said). He wanted more hands on in the community where he could see and do good for them. And he did.”
Patterson had many admirers amongst his colleagues.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley called him a “mentor to many,” while former Mayor Ken Hewitt teared up sharing memories of Patterson.
“Stew was one of those guys who was always available…. He was never afraid to offer a hand to help people in any capacity,” said Hewitt, noting how Patterson always stood up for what he believed in. “He’d look you in the eye and say ‘no, I’m not going to agree with you or support it, but I’ll shake your hand, let’s go have a beer, and we’ll talk about the next mountain to climb’.”
Hewitt noted this was on display earlier this year, as Patterson received public criticism for his motion asking MPP Brady not to attend Haldimand delegations at this year’s AMO conference.
“His principles drove him to that decision, and he stuck to it. Those are admirable qualities,” said Hewitt.
Councillors John Metcalfe, Rob Shirton, and Dan Lawrence also recalled working with Patterson.
“I enjoyed Stew’s dry sense of humor. Stew went about his business in a quiet manner and was able to get many things accomplished,” shared Metcalfe.
Lawrence added, “He was and will be remembered as a thoughtful, principle driven person that always did what he believed best for his community and county…. Stew’s passing is all of Haldimand County’s loss.”
Shirton, a fellow Bruins fan, shared, “He certainly put up one hell of a fight – he battled to the final day. I admired Stew’s drive and determination long before I had the pleasure of meeting him…. His positive perspective and life experiences served his constituents well.”
MP Leslyn Lewis called Patterson a great advocate, “bringing his decades of career and community service to bear for his constituents as Ward 1 Councillor. He always worked hard to achieve the very best for the community and this made him a respected and trusted voice for Haldimand residents. My prayers and thoughts are with his family, friends, and with our entire Haldimand community during this difficult time.”
Outside of his various roles, Patterson’s family described him as fun, loyal, and always up for an adventure.
“He was the best dad I could ever dream of. He liked to pretend that he was tough, but all it took was a little smile or a pretty please and he would be up for anything,” said daughter Darby.
His children recalled his various ways of showing love, from planning Nancy a surprise trip to making a lengthy drive to Niagara just to chat with his daughter for a few minutes and say a proper goodbye after she had to leave one visit without seeing him.
He also loved a good prank.
“He sent me flowers once from Unique Designs,” recalled Nancy. “First he had them deliver a fancy white long box. My coworkers were so excited to be around when I opened them and to my surprise he had Karen, the owner, place only the stems, leaves, and thorns in the box. Five minutes later (he) had the real deal delivered.”
Patterson’s son Dylan praised his father’s approach to life and the lessons he learned about making time for the things that make you happy.
He also praised his father’s honesty: “He never took any decision or request lightly; he took in the information, did his research, and thoughtfully responded. He never over promised and was straight up with what was possible. He didn’t judge or pretend to know more than he did. But once he made a decision, he never second-guessed himself; he was always fully committed.”
Patterson played beer league hockey on the Garnet Grenades in his younger days. He loved music and the Bruins, was an avid skier and sailor, and was a member of the Port Dover Yacht Club.
Dove noted, “I don’t have to look up a friend in the dictionary to get a description. All I had to do was look at him. A true friend.”
Nancy concluded, “He would want people to remember him as a regular, friendly guy with a pint in his hand.”
