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Walter Beath, seen here relaxing in his Port Perry home last year, and on opposite page a picture of him taken during 1976 when he was Chairman of the Region of Durham. ¢hoto by Jonathan van Bilsen er the years Port Perry has been fortunate to have many prominent citizens call our town home. One such person is Durham Region’s first Chairman, Walter Beath, who settled here in 2005. At nearly six foot tall he stands above the crowd and on this Valentine’s Day he celebrates his 90th birthday. ‘Walter was born in 1919 in Simcoe County. He was one of three sons of Morley and Hilda Beath, farmers who made a living in the rural area between Barrie and Orillia. In 1930 the family moved to East Whitby near Columbus and took over 200 acres, which belonged to one of Walter’s cousins. Farming was all that Walter knew and he loved the work. “It was great being your own boss and being able to work with your neighbours,” Walter said, with pride. After a short period of military training, at the age of 22, Walter married his sweetheart Earline Hayes, a local girl from the Columbus area. The two owned 200 acres of farm land on the Oshawa - Clar- ington town line. Sadly Walter’s wife Earline passed away last ar. “When you're a farmer, Walter said, “You wake up and you are already at work. Your wife is your partner and from an hour or two before breakfast, until an hour after dinner you are working.” Farming was his first love and as a youngster he belonged to the calf club, or 4H as most of us know it. “If you did really well you would be recognized and as a prize you were sent to Guelph for a week to learn more about agriculture.” Lidhilay Region of Durham’s first chairman will celebrate 90th birthday on Valentine’s Day As the years moved on, Walter realised that farming needed help. Government was. neglecting the industry and something had to be done. He joined the Ontario County Crop Association and stayed a member for twenty years, even being its president in 1965. He also joined the Oshawa Fair Board as a director for twenty-five years and president for three. As if that was not enough, Walter was asked to join the Ontario County High School Board and of course, accepted the four year position. In 1966 Walter, then President of the Beef Association, was asked to speak at the first Ontario Agriculture Conference where he presented a paper entitled, ‘The Future of Agricul- ture in Ontario’, which was accepted by many as a sign of things to come. The times for farmers were tough. The hours were long and the work was hard. Fun consisted of getting together with people from church for card parties or going for long walks in the fresh air. Walter Walter loves the cold weather and says, “there’s nothing like being outdoors on a crisp winter morning.” ‘Walter and Earline travelled to Scandinavia in the early seventies to attend the World International Plowing Match, which was to be held in Canada a few years later. Listening and learning how Laplanders organized the event, Walter came home with a new perspective and was asked to join the executive and help plan the occasion. Walter and Earline are parents to two sons, Wayne and Grant. Grant followed in his father’s footsteps and now lives on Scugog Island. Wayne moved to the US, but both sons and their families were together in Port Perry for Christmas. Walter was one of the founding members of the Ontario Please turn to page 4 FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2009 5