Burnaby mayor and council mourned former alderman Jim Lorimer at Monday night's meeting.
Lorimer, who was 89, passed away on Oct. 25, according to his obituary in The Vancouver Sun.
Lorimer was a Burnaby alderman from 1967 to 1968, and a New Democratic Party MLA for the Burnaby-Willingdon riding from 1969 to 1975 and 1979 to 1983, according to a press release from the city.
"When you look around at what makes our city great," Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said in the release, "so many of our most significant achievements can be traced back to Jim's ideas or influence.
"On a personal note, Jim was a mentor for me. When I graduated from law school, I articled for Jim at his law practice. He later introduced me to the Burnaby Citizens' Association, a party that appealed to me as the best option for Burnaby," he added. "Jim's political work as city councillor and MLA inspired me to consider how I might also benefit my city through community service."
During his time as MLA, Lorimer arranged for the transfer of Oakalla farmlands on a 100-year lease to Burnaby and was involved in doubling the stock of transit vehicles, expanding service outside of Vancouver's borders, the release stated.
He also oversaw the design and construction of the SeaBus system and the expansion of the Burnaby Hospital, according to the release, and he arranged for provincial funding to stock the apothecary shop in Burnaby's Heritage Village.
Lorimer was named a Freeman of Burnaby in 1990 and appeared in the city's film project, From the Heart: The Freeman Legacy, in 2006. He had a Burnaby park named after him in 2005.
"Jim exemplified the characteristics of a Freeman, a title council can vote to bestow upon individuals of exceedingly high merit who have served their communities with commitment and dedication that set them apart from others. It is the highest civilian award given by the City of Burnaby, conferred only upon individuals who have given outstanding community and/or public service within the general community over a sustained period of time," Corrigan said. "Jim served the people of Burnaby throughout his life, and his legacy of service will benefit our community for generations to come."
staff reporter
