The Sarnia community is mourning the loss of a local leader.
Dave McPhail died Tuesday at the age of 72, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
McPhail was an educator with the Lambton Kent District School Board for 34 years and served as president of the Ontario Public School Principals' Association. He also was a former chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce.
McPhail led the charge to stop the closure of Sarnia Jail and was the liberal candidate in Sarnia-Lambton riding in the 2015 federal election.
Mayor Mike Bradley says McPhail was a community builder.
"There's no question that Dave was the sort of citizen that builds a community," says Bradley. "He was always optimistic, he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and he was involved in multiple social issues over the years. People know him recently as the chair of the offshore boat races along with being the federal liberal candidate. He had just a wide range of interests."
Visitation will be held at the McKenzie and Blundy Funeral Home on Christina St. Friday, January 6 from 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm.
A celebration of McPhail's life will be held Saturday, January 7 at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Indian Rd. at 11am.
