H. Avard Loomer Explained

H. Avard Loomer
Order:66th
Office:Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
Term Start:June 22, 1969
Term End:July 18, 1969
Predecessor:Joseph A. Macdougall
Successor2:James E. Calvin
Birth Name:Henry Avard Loomer
Birth Date:9 August 1915
Birth Place:Stellarton, Nova Scotia
Death Place:Toronto, Ontario
Spouse:Irene Stevens Currie
Children:1

Henry Avard Loomer (August 9, 1915 – July 18, 1969) was a Canadian manufacturing businessman and municipal politician who served as the mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick for just 26 days from June 22 to July 18, 1969, where he died in office.

Life and career

Henry Avard Loomer was born on August 9, 1915, in Stellarton, Nova Scotia to parents Brett Baxter Loomer and Mabel Josephine Potter.[1] He worked as a liquor manufacturer in Saint John, New Brunswick,[2] serving in a firm for manufacturing agents as its president.[3]

In early June of 1969, Loomer was elected mayor of Saint John, defeating the preceded Joseph A. Macdougall in the municipal election.[4] He was sworn into office on June 22, 1969.[5] As mayor, he was featured in an article about Saint John's urban renewal project by The New York Times, where he shared an optimistic view on the future of Saint John and its port, being "confident that [Saint John] is in an idea position to attract container shipments."[6] His term in office was short-lived, serving as mayor for only 26 days until his death.[5]

Personal life

On September 27, 1941, Loomer became married to Irene Stevens Curie. At the time, he lived in Saint John.[7] They had one son, who died in 2022.[8] On July 18, 1969, Loomer died at a hospital in Toronto, Ontario from a heart attack, two days after being admitted there for a physical examination.[9] [10] Following his death, his office was taken over by then-deputy mayor Arthur L. Gould,[11] until James E. Calvin was elected on October 6, 1969.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nova Scotia Births, Marriages, and Deaths . . 30 April 2024 . 20 April 2020.
  2. News: Province-run Bars Proposed . 30 April 2024 . . . 18 January 1961 . 40 . en.
  3. News: N.B. Offered Novel Plan For Bistros . 30 April 2024 . . . 18 January 1961 . 30 . en.
  4. News: Voters toss out four mayors . 30 April 2024 . . . 10 June 1969 . 2 . en.
  5. News: Saint John mayor named . 30 April 2024 . . . 7 October 1969.
  6. News: Forgeron . Harry V. . St. John Renewal Is Providing Offices, Apartments and Plants . 30 April 2024 . . 13 July 1969.
  7. Web site: Vital Statistics from Government Records (RS141) . . 30 April 2024.
  8. Web site: Christopher Robert Loomer . McCall Gardens Funeral and Cremation Service . 30 April 2024 . en.
  9. News: Undertaker named Saint John mayor . 30 April 2024 . . . 7 October 1969 . 13 . en.
  10. News: Saint John mayor dies . 30 April 2024 . . . 19 July 1969 . 2 . en.
  11. Web site: Obituary of Arthur L. Gould . Brenan's Paradise Row Funeral Home . 30 April 2024.