It was a special day full of familiar faces for former Belleville Councillor Wolf Tausendfreund.
Wednesday, Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk along with city councillors and invited guests, honoured the retired Superior Court of Justice judge and former Belleville Council member, with a plaque dedication in the Commons Area on Front Street, across from City Hall.
From left to right, Former Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp, Elaine Tausendfreund, Wolf Tausendfreund, Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk, Former Belleville Mayor Ross McDougall, and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith. (Photo: Andrew Clarke / Quinte News)
Mayor Panciuk spoke on the importance Tausendfruend has had on Belleville and his efforts to better the city during his time as a councillor.
“Former councillor Wolf Tausendfreund was first elected to Belleville City Council in the 1985 municipal election, and he served five consecutive terms until 2000 when he retired from city council. His 15 years in office certainly demonstrated his commitment to public service and is an accomplishment worthy of today’s tribute.”
Wolf Tausendfreund’s plaque dedication in the Commons Area on Front Street. (Photo: Andrew Clarke / Quinte News)
Tausendfreund served on various committees during his time including the Planning Advisory Committee and Belleville Police Services Board. As a private citizen, Wolf served as President of the YMCA, Rotary Club of Belleville and was appointed an Officer of the YMCA Fellowship of Honour.
Tausendfreund was a founding partner of the law firm O’Flynn, Weese, Tausendfreund LLP on Bridge Street East where he spent a majority of his career as a lawyer. In 2006, he was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario and presided at the Quinte Courthouse on Bridge Street West.
He says his time with city council and working as a lawyer was influential in his appointment to the Superior Court.
“Yes it did, combined with what I did as a lawyer as well, I needed to make decisions, councillors need to make decisions, and we surely know judges need to make decisions.”
Wolf Tausendfreund, or “Wolfy” as many have come to know him, was also vital in bringing the Belleville Bulldogs Rugby Club to the city. Former Belleville Mayor and longtime friend, Ross McDougall, reminisced on his times with Tausendfreund telling the crowd of his first time meeting the retired Justice playing pick-up basketball and Wolf’s impact on those he worked with.
Wolf Tausendfreund takes pictures with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren as Mayor Mitch Panciuk presents the plaque. (Photo: Andrew Clarke / Quinte News)
Tausendfreund says it’s an honour to receive the dedication in a place where he and his family have long considered home.
“It’s become my hometown 50 years ago, I feel my roots are deep enough now that I’m really a Bellevillian and to be honoured in that fashion it’s overwhelming emotionally.”
Retired Justice Wolf Tausenfreund embraces current members of Belleville City Council at his plaque dedication ceremony on June 15, 2022. (Photo: Andrew Clarke / Quinte News)
Mayor Panciuk declared June 15, 2022, Wolf Tausendfreund Day in the City of Belleville. The Commons Area on Front Street has also been dedicated to the former councillor and retired Justice as a fitting midpoint of Wolf’s contributions to Belleville.
