My leader and some of my colleagues are absent from the Legislature today to attend the funeral of Alexander "Sandy" Runciman, who died Friday night at the age of 75. Sandy, as many of you may be aware, is the father of our fellow colleague Bob Runciman, the MPP for Leeds-Grensville.
Sandy was active in community life on many levels. His concerns covered a wide area, including industrial development, the health field, education, conservation, sports, politics and, very much, music. In fact, he had his own band for 20 years and played the saxophone, violin and bass viol.
Sandy played a major role in Brockville's industrial development. He was a founding member of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. He helped established St Lawrence College. He sat on the board of governors for the Brockville General Hospital for many years and was director of the children's aid society. As well, Sandy had a long and notable journalistic career with the Brockville Recorder and Times. In fact, he was the voice of the Brockville Recorder and Times for many years.
Many of my fellow members here will remember Sandy as a political adviser to some distinguished politicians: Jimmy Auld, Johnny Matheson, Tom Cossitt and, of course, his son Bob. Father and son have sat through more than one election campaign together, Sandy not only being a successful campaign manager and political adviser but a confident father and, most of all, a great friend to Bob Runciman.
Today I would like to extend my sincere condolences on behalf of all members of this Legislature to Sandy's wife, Thelma, their family and, of course, our colleague Bob Runciman.
