MINDEMOYA—Representatives and drivers of A.J. Bus Lines, along with family and friends of the late John Reid were on hand for a special memorial tree planting in his memory on the Central Manitoulin Fire Station in Mindemoya, last week. Mr. Reid, who passed away July 1, was a long-time fire chief and firefighter for the municipality and a long-time school bus driver for A.J. Bus Lines.
“John was so involved in the community, which is the type of thing that makes the Island what it is,” said Sue Mackenzie, dispatcher for A.J. Bus Lines at the special memorial tree ceremony, on Wednesday of last week.
“John was such a wonderful guy and so laidback,” said Ms. Mackenzie, who noted that, “John, and all our bus drivers, are all great.”
“This fire station is the one that John helped to design and have the municipality built, the Central Manitoulin Fire Station No.2 in Mindemoya,” said Ms. Mackenzie. “A picture of John in his fire chief suit is on the newest fire truck purchased by the municipality for the volunteer fire department.”
“John and Roxana (his wife) were bus drivers longer than I’ve been a dispatcher,” said Ms. Mackenzie. “I’ve been a dispatcher for 21 years and both John and Roxana were already drivers when I started here.”
In memory of Mr. Reid, several school bus drivers with A.J. Bus Lines, municipal Councillor Derek Stephens, Mr. Reid’s wife Roxana and daughter Angela Reid were on hand last Wednesday to help remember Mr. Reid and to plant a skyline locust (shade tree) on the fire station property.
“This tree is being planted in memory of John on behalf of the company,” said Ms. Mackenzie. She noted as well, “we will also be putting up a plaque or bench at the site in his memory.”
