Edis A. Flewwelling Explained

Edis A. Flewwelling
Order:69th
Office:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Term Start:June 24, 1974
Term End:1977
Predecessor:Bob Lockhart
Successor2:Samuel Davis
Birth Name:Edis Armstrong Flewwelling
Birth Date:5 February 1918
Birth Place:Clifton, Kings County, New Brunswick
Death Place:Saint John, New Brunswick
Children:3
Serviceyears:1941 - 1968
Rank:Major

Edis Armstrong Flewwelling (February 5, 1918 – 2006) was a Canadian municipal politician who served as the mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick from 1974 to 1977.

Life and career

Edis Armstrong Flewwelling was born in Clifton, Kings County, New Brunswick on February 5, 1918, to parents Edis Hamilton Flewwelling and Hazel Marguerite Wetmore.[1] He served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years, retiring in 1968 as a Major.[2]

In 1974, Flewwelling challenged against the incumbent Bob Lockhart to become elected as the mayor of Saint John.[3] The municipal election for Saint John was held on June 10, 1974;[4] the mayoralty race ended with Flewwelling in the lead and Lockhart conceding defeat during vote tallying.[5] He was sworn in on June 24, 1974, during which he outlined a 14-point program of reform and re-organization. Among his proposals included the reactivation of Saint John's Housing Commission and Urban Renewal Commission.[6] He was succeeded by Samuel Davis in 1977 after being defeated in the mayoralty race on May 9, 1977.[7]

Flewwelling additionally served as the managing director of Lonewater Farm, an alcohol rehabilitation center in Westfield.[8] [9] On November 10, 1977, Lonewater Farm was raided by the RCMP, prompting the suspension of Flewwelling from his position.[10] Later that year, Flewwelling was charged with theft by the RCMP, who alleged that from July 31 to August 5, 1977, Flewwelling "unlawfully commit[ted] theft of $562.50 property of the Province of New Brunswick".[11] He was additionally charged with "intent to defraud the provincial government by altering a Lonewater Farm accounts receivable ledger between May 31 and June 9, 1977".[12] Flewwelling was acquitted of both charges in May 1978.[13]

Personal life

Flewwelling first married Mary Elizabeth Knowlton on June 5, 1946;[14] she predeceased him. He later remarried Jane McKenna de Kruyff. He had three sons. Flewwelling died at the Saint John Regional Hospital on September 20, 2006, at the age of 88.[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flewwelling, Edis Armstrong - Index to Late Registration of Births . . September 27, 2024.
  2. News: Cunningham . John . Challenger Flewwelling: Says City Lacking Leadership . September 27, 2024 . The Evening Times-Globe . May 25, 1974 . 17.
  3. News: Campaigners Make Final Sprint . September 27, 2024 . The Evening Times-Globe . June 7, 1974 . 13.
  4. News: Voters Select Leaders Today . September 27, 2024 . . June 10, 1974 . 22.
  5. News: Flewwelling Leads Mayoralty Race . September 27, 2024 . . June 11, 1974 . 22.
  6. News: Mayor, Council Sworn In . September 27, 2024 . . June 25, 1974 . 28.
  7. News: Davis Heading For Sweeping Mayoralty Victory . September 27, 2024 . . May 10, 1977 . 18.
  8. News: Who'll Be Running In The Mayoralty Race? . September 27, 2024 . The Evening Times-Globe . May 2, 1974 . 21.
  9. News: River Group Seeks Ambulance Service . September 27, 2024 . . March 17, 1977 . 26.
  10. News: Why Was Lonewater Farm Raided? . September 27, 2024 . . November 16, 1977 . 28.
  11. News: Former Mayor Charged With Theft . September 27, 2024 . . December 22, 1977 . 20.
  12. News: Ledger Is Centre Of Testimony . September 27, 2024 . . May 24, 1978 . 24.
  13. News: Camp . Connie . Flewwelling Acquitted - Says Justice System Works . September 27, 2024 . . May 26, 1978 . 9.
  14. Web site: Nova Scotia Births, Marriages, and Deaths . . September 27, 2024.
  15. Web site: Obituary of Edis Armstrong Flewwelling . Brenan's Paradise Row Funeral Home . September 27, 2024.