David Onley, a child of Midland who overcame the adversity of polio and went on to become Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, was remembered and honoured Tuesday morning at the park named in his honour at the Midland Harbour.
"We all call it David's park," said his widow, Ruth Anne Onley, who attended the event along with David's entire family; two sisters, three sons, their partners and four grandchildren who were all born after the park was originally dedicated in June, 2013.
Onley said even though David left Midland at the age of eight, after contracting polio at the age of three, the town left an indelible mark on his life.
"It's a wonderful day to come and celebrate and remember our children born in our towns and keeping an eye on what little ones do and become, even those who have adversity like David did. Although he had to leave Midland because he couldn't get the medical attention he needed with polio, Midland still imprinted hugely on his heart," she said.
In advance of the ceremony, the David Onley Park sign was refurbished. There will be an addition of a portrait and plaque erected in the park.
Onley said the new plaque is important as it and teaches people coming to the park about town history.
"It's good for us to know what we are as a country and David's role as a representative of the Queen was a very special role in our country," she said.
Sue McKenzie, of Midland, helped orchestrate the original park dedication as the chair of the heritage committee.
"When I found out it was his honour's birthday June 12, I got into high gear to organize this with his people at Queen's Park," she said.
McKenzie worked with Midland's former director of community services, Bryan Peter, who arranged to have the sign made and suggested the site.
Local historian Rene Hackstetter addressed the crowd, on behalf of Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers, providing some background on David Onley.
He recounted that David, born in 1950, met the Queen in 1959 in Toronto, where he was getting treatment for polio, near a banner that proclaimed “The Crippled Children Welcome Our Queen.”
"These descriptors have changed from 'crippled' to 'handicapped' and now 'disabled.' Nonetheless, 50 years later, in David Onley’s words, 'I would be
photographed with Her Majesty again, but this time as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor,'" Hackstetter said.
Onley was a "tireless advocate for those with disabilities." He tabled a scathing report in 2019 stating little had been done to remedy the issues raised by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act passed in 2005.
"The blue wheelchair symbol gives the impression that everything is accessible, however, according to our Lieutenant Governor at the time, this province was mostly inaccessible," Hackstetter said.
Ruth Anne Onley said David came back to Midland where he served as a judge in Ontario's Best Butter Tart festival.
"He talked a lot about Little Lake Park. He had dreams about it," she said.
Onley died in January at the age of 72.
