NEW GLASGOW - Lisa MacLeod wiped away a tear as she looked out at the friends, family members and New Glasgow residents who packed the boardroom at the police station Saturday morning.
"The MacLeods are emotional. He'd be crying himself if he were here," MacLeod said as she looked out at the sea of faces that gathered to honour her father, Danny MacLeod, a longtime town councillor for Ward 3.
Danny, who died of cancer in 2007 at the age of 57, was a longtime friend of the New Glasgow Police Department, serving as chairman of the police board for a decade and as president of the Canadian Police Boards Association from 1999 to 2001. He was also instrumental in the construction of the new police station and moving the department from its former spot downtown to Parkdale in 1997.
On Saturday, the town ensured that a little piece of Danny would always be with the police when the boardroom at the police station was renamed the MacLeod Community Boardroom.
"I'm extremely humbled for all of us today to see so many friends and the police he loved so much here today - he thought the world of you guys," MacLeod told the police officers gathered in the room, adding that his involvement in moving the department into a new, modern building was one of the accomplishments her father was proudest of during his time on council.
Virigina MacLeod said she was touched by the decision to name the boardroom, where Danny spent so much time chairing police board meetings, in her late husband's honour.
"I think he would be so proud," she said. "He would be so proud his children and grandchildren got to see them do this. This was one of the smallest police forces on the Police Board of Canada. He was so honoured to be chosen as president of the association. He loved New Glasgow, he loved Pictou County, and he loved the police."
Daughter Sheri Greene was there with her three-year-old son, Aiden, who gazed intently at his grandfather's picture as it was unveiled.
"I'm very proud today," Greene said. "I'm still local here in Pictou County and I know how much this meant to my father.
Mayor Barrie MacMillan said council made the decision to rename the boardroom in December, calling it a fitting tribute to a man who did so much for the police department.
"Because the New Glasgow Police Service, and successful community policing for every community across Canada, were so very dear to his heart and remained one of his greatest passions, it is a most fitting tribute that the New Glasgow Police Service boardroom bear his name," MacMillan said.
Deputy Police Chief Eric MacNeil recalls sitting across a table from Danny many times in the past as he negotiated as part of the police union with the town.
"We always had a good relationship with Dan," MacNeil said. "Dan was very passionate, even at the negotiating table, he was passionate. He understood our needs and recognized them."
Seeing Danny's name on the boardroom as he walks through the station every day will be a constant reminder of a good friend, he added.
Renaming honours memory of friend
Renaming honours memory of friend
- Published on February 11, 2010
- Published on February 20, 2010
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Jennifer Vardy Little
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Comments
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- susan
- - February 22, 2010 at 14:31:53
A very lovely tribute to a friend and well liked gentleman.
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- Joyce
- - February 22, 2010 at 14:31:52
A wonderful tribute to an extraordinary man. Virginia and family must be so very proud to see how much the community, family, friends and police department respected Danny.
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- Glenn
- - February 22, 2010 at 14:31:51
Danny MacLeod deserves this recognition. I remember when he put together the event at Glasgow Square for the Reserve Troops in our Community, who were heading to Afghanistan. This event was outstanding and well organized.
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- Judy
- - February 22, 2010 at 14:31:49
A fine tribute to a fine man.
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- Diane
- - February 22, 2010 at 14:31:39
A great tribute to a great guy. Danny was passionate about everything he did- loved his family, community, county, and country. With his association with the Police Department he was seen oten at this building- and what could be a more fitting place to keep memories of Danny alive?
