Former Whitby mayor, aerospace pioneer, dead at 94 [Video]

A community and political champion in Whitby and Durham Region and an aerospace pioneer with a resume that includes work on the Avro Arrow, Canada’s first satellite and the famed ‘Canadarm,’ is dead at 94.

Des Newman, who was Whitby’s youngest mayor when he was elected in 1966 at the age of 35, was a “true community builder” whose legacy will be felt in Whitby for “generations to come,” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy.

“During his decade as mayor, Newman helped shape the Whitby we know today – championing the amalgamation of the town and township of Whitby and helping lay the foundation for the Regional Municipality of Durham.”

“He recognized the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports a growing town, advocating for projects like the Iroquois Park Sports Centre and helping to establish J.O. Ruddy General Hospital (now Lakeridge Health Whitby) and Whitby Arts Inc. (now Station Gallery).”

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