Betty Beer stands beside the memorial stone in honour of her late husband, former Thurlow and Belleville councillor George Beer. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
The day before the first anniversary of George Beer’s passing, a fitting tribute for the man who was an integral part of Belleville was unveiled.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk along with George Beer’s family and current and former councillors unveiled a memorial stone naming the ball diamond at Thurlow Park George Beer Field.
Panciuk says Beer handled a number of contentious issues while on council, one of particular importance.
George Beer tirelessly served his community for over 25 years, 16 as a councillor for Thurlow and another nine on Belleville city council representing ward 2 Thurlow.
The George Beer Field memorial stone was unveiled on July 15, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Former Belleville councillor Jackie Denyes calls George “Senator Beer” and says he was her political mentor.
Beer’s family, along with past and current councillors and other community members, were on hand for the memorial unveiling.
Beer was known as a fierce defender of Thurlow and very heavily involved in his community, making Thurlow Park the perfect location for the memorial as it combines two of George’s loves – Thurlow and baseball.
He was much more than just a councillor. He was a baseball coach, volunteer firefighter, an active member of St. Mark’s United Church in Cannifton and a co-chair with his wife Betty on one of the United Way fundraising campaigns.
Betty spoke following the ceremony thanking everyone present for attending the ceremony in honour of her late husband, saying it was quite a tribute to George and he would have loved it.
