2024 – A look back: The passing of some prominent residents

The end of another year marks the passage of time which also came with the passing of some residents who served our community.

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Some prominent residents are no longer with us as we enter 2025. Here’s a look back at some people who made a difference in Chatham-Kent, including former politicians, business people and volunteers.

Frank Vercouteren had passion for serving community

A passion for serving his community is what longtime former municipal politician Frank Vercouteren was remembered for after his death on Oct. 11 at age 86.

Vercouteren entered politics at age 25 winning a seat on Ridgetown council the in 1980 was elected to Blenheim council, where he served before being elected to the ward of South Kent on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent council during amalgamation in 1998.

“I think everyone will agree councilor Vercouteren loved his community,” said former South West councilor Karen Herman, who served alongside Vercouteren for 15 years starting in 2004. “He was truly unwavering to support residents wherever and whenever possible.”

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A real estate broker for 35 years, Vercouteren was also involved with the local chamber of commerce and business improvement association in Blenheim. He also chaired the 1979 International Plowing Match and Machinery Show.

Vercouteren spent more than three decades organizing the downtown Blenheim New Year’s Eve tradition of residents ringing the Blenheim Bell.

In a December 2016 interview with The Chatham Daily News, on the eve of the tradition’s 50^th edition, Vercouteren said what enjoyed most was “seeing all the friends, all the people that I’ve known over the years.”

Wes Thompson Jr. a ‘Blenheim boy,’ ambassador for community

Being an ambassador and supporter of the Blenheim area, where he was raised and flourished, were among the feelings for Wes Thompson Jr. when he died on June 15 at age 65.

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The former chief executive of Thompson’s Ltd. was known a “Blenheim boy” and his sister Jennifer Wilson told the Daily News he was “so proud to be from Blenheim” and enjoyed being an ambassador for the community and promoting farmers.

He also generously gave to his community with Wilson saying her brother preferred to remain behind the scenes.

Thompson was involved with the United Way of Chatham-Kent and shared his love and collection of vintage fire trucks to help organize the former FireFest event in Chatham.

Thompson stepped up in a big way during the COVID-19 pandemic when he joined with James Rasmussen to organize the May 16th Miracle, a Chatham-Kent food drive held on May 16, 2020 that collected about 307,626 kilograms (678,200 pounds) of food.

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“I think those two got their heads together and decided, ‘We could pull together, we could do amazing things,’ and … the community did not disappoint,” Wilson said.

Bob Fox driving force behind Chatham Capitol Theater

Known to many as an educator and coach, Bob Fox was also remembered for using his energy and skills to bring the $20-plus million Chatham Capitol Theater project across the finish line after he died on June 5 at age 84.

Former Capitol Theater Association president Kevin McMillan recalled the volunteer-led organization was stretched to the limit when it was suggested Fox be hired to manage the project.

Noting Fox “really centered” the plan that was in place, McMillan recalled the retired educator would sometimes work 50 to 60 hours a week on the theater project, then show up for weekend fundraisers.

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While the project, which took several years to complete, drew public criticism, McMillan recalled Fox “set about to right the ship in terms of public opinion and possibility. There was no limit to Bob’s commitment to making this all happen.”

Fox also excelled academically and athletically, including being heavily recruited by the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, deciding to pursue education with his classmate and future wife, Lynn.

He spent many years teaching and coaching, primarily at Blenheim District Secondary School, and retired while serving as interim director of the Lambton Kent District School Board.

Luce Cools remembered as gentleman, mentor and ‘true legend’

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One of the most prolific automobile salespeople in Chatham’s history, Luce Cools was also remembered as a community volunteer, mentor, gentleman and ‘true legend’ when he died on June 4 at age 84.

Just two months earlier, Cools reached the impressive milestone of selling Chrysler vehicles in Chatham for 60 years.

“They’re not clients, they’re friends,” Cools told The Daily News during an interview marking his six-decades selling Chrysler vehicles.

Cools credited the “trust factor” with helping him sell 15 or 20 vehicles to some clients over the years.

Noting the loss of a “truly great man, co-worker and friends,” a social media post from Chatham Chrysler, where Cools was employed for several years, stated: “Most people around the region have either bought a vehicle from Luce or know of somebody who has over the years.”

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His obituary stated Cools “valued community service and giving back.”

His volunteer service included 25 years with Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers, serving on the board of directors and as president. He was also a past president of the Chatham Kinsman Club, a member of the Ridgetown Legion and was a past president of the Kent Club.

Former politician David Langstaff remembered as ‘kind-hearted’

Longtime former politician David Langstaff was remembered as a respected, kind-hearted man dedicated to serving his community when he died on April 10 at age 80.

The Morpeth native was first elected to the Howard Township Council in 1981, before going on to serve as deputy reeve beginning in 1986. In 1992, he was elected reeve of the township, a position he held until 1997, before the amalgamation of Chatham- Kent in 1998.

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Langstaff went on to be one of six candidates to run to be the first mayor of the amalgamated Municipality of Chatham-Kent, who was won former Chatham mayor Bill Erickson.

Langstaff “had a very successful career in municipal politics and he was very highly respected,” said Stan Brien, a former Howard Township councilor. “He had a lot of integrity, people liked him and he was a very honorable politician as politicians go.”

Langstaff was quoted by The Chatham Daily News in early January 2001 about the benefits of amalgamation.

“The roads are getting plowed, the system is working,” he said at the time, adding some parts of Chatham-Kent “have benefited from improved services.”

Langstaff was also remembered as an “avid farmer with an affinity for his pigs and field crops.”

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