Rotary honors judge

Rotary honors Judge
Special Guest-Miss Eleanor Willmott was a special guest at Rotary Club meeting honoring her brother, Judge A. Roy Willmott. The “This is your life, Judge A. Roy Willmott” night was held at the British Hotel Friday and revealed the life and accomplishments of the former Chief Judge of the County Courts of Ontario.

Judge A. Roy Willmott, a long –time resident of Cobourg, was honored last Friday with a “This Is Your Life, Ray Willmott” night by the Cobourg Rotary Club.

The Club honored their guest for his lengthy and dedicated service in several fields of endeavors. The guest of honor, A.R. Willmott was born Oct. 18 1894, the son of Professor and Mrs. A.B. Willmott. He Followed in his father’s and and grandfather’s footsteps graduating from Victoria college in 1916, his fater in l887 and his grandfather Rev. J.C. Willmott in 1857. Roy Willmott missed his graduation from the college when he enlisted in the Canadian army to fight in World War 1. He was a lieutenant in the Signal Coma and was mentioned in dispatches.

After the war he resumed his studies and graduated from Osgoode Hall in 1921 and returned to Cobourg to practice law In 1923 he joined A. J Armstrong to form a law partnership that lasted until 1949 when Mr Armstrong died. He then took James Irvine into full partnership in the practice.

The young lawyer married Miss Helen Dulmage in Calgary in 1925. For many years, until her recent death, Mrs. Willmolt was in ill-health.

After serving on the Cobourg Public Library Board for several years he decided to enter town politics and from 1925 he served as councillor for three years. In 1928 and 1929 he won as deputy reeve and a seat on county council. From deputy-reeve he became Cobourg's mayor in 1930, Deciding he had enough of local politics, he did not run again for mayor.

Town council appointed him as town solicitor in 1936 and he served this role until he resigned in 1959. Deciding to return to politics, he was nominated as the Conservative candidate in the Oct. 6, 1937 provincial elections. He was up against the incumbent Liberal, Harold W. Carr who was again chosen as the party's standard bearer.

Liberal Carr won his seat by a slim majority of 625 votes and the defeated candidate returned to his law practice.

Roy Willmott entered the education field when he was appointed to Cobourg Collegiate Institute Board in 1931 by town council. He served on the Teachers' Committee first as a member then as chair.

When the district Board was formed in 1949, he was elected vice-chairman, remaining until he resigned in 1959.

In July 1959 the guest of honor became His Honor when he was appointed County Judge. After serving in this capacity for three years, he was elevated to a newly created position of chief judge for the province of Ontario.

When he reached retirement Judge Willmott was appointed to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board where he still works two days a week.

Judge Willmolt was also cited for his work with the Rotary Club since he joined in May 1922 only seven months after Charter night. When the Rotary Club began its sponsorship of Air Cadets, Judge Willmott organized and commanded the original 138 squadron Through his 52 years of association with the club, he has served with various committees and as president in 1932.

As the ending poem said: Of the many years since 22 all of them now for 52 He graced our club with his service true So here we are to pay him his due.

As it was said in the opening of the program honoring Judge Willmott, his life was marked by lengthy and dedicated service in several fields of endeavor.