A community-oriented approach with a progressive editorial stance, striving for transparency and encouraging readers to consider multiple perspectives.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
booked.netCall us at 613-935-3763
Eco-conscious : Print an issue, plant a tree! 

No products in the cart.

  • About
    • Contributors
    • Disclaimers
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Giving back
    • Mission Statement
    • Past Issues
    • Where to Find
    • Call us at 613-935-3763
The Seeker - Positively Local, Suporting Local
  • Home
  • News
  • The Soapbox
  • Columnists
  • Events
  • Advertise!
    • Online
    • In Print
  • Puzzles
  • Videos
Seeker
No Result
View All Result

Defying Prejudice: The Legacy of Bob Turner, Ontario’s First Black Recreation Director

Ian Bowering by Ian Bowering
February 21, 2023
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
1
Doris and Bob Turner looking at an award he received for his work in 1960.

Doris and Bob Turner looking at an award he received for his work in 1960.

In 1957, Cornwall hired Bob Turner to operate the city’s recreation program. American born, Turner came to Cornwall from the town of Colborne where he held the same position, but was constantly harassed. Turner, Canada’s, and possibly North America’s first Black recreation director, was more than qualified for the position, with his degree in physical education and experience as a professional baseball and basketball player.

This is not to imply that it was all smooth sailing.   A few local bigots tried to hound Turner and his wife out of town, but War Veteran and Mayor Archie Lavigne sensed the mood of the populace and went on the radio, proclaiming enough is enough, ensuring Turner’s  tenure.  

You might also like

MEET TIM MILLS
 CORNWALL’S NEW CAO

CPS Open House: what a great intro to New Mascot, Cst. Joy

Strong Mayor Powers: Where Does Your Municipality Stand — and What It Means for You

Turner overcame any prejudice through his personality and ability, making him “one of Cornwall’s most popular city officials, particularly with children,” and when he died suddenly from a routine hospital operation, four years later, aged 35, the City was grief stricken.

Paying tribute to Turner’s work, Mayor Nick Kaneb said: “He often went beyond the line of duty in performing his duties…The city will have a most difficult job in finding a replacement of Mr. Turner’s outstanding qualifications.”

Cornwall Mayor Archie Lavigne signing a proclamation for Minor Hockey Week, January 1959.  Men left to right:  Councillor Doug Fawthrop, Lutt Bergeron, Minor Hockey, Bob Turner, Recreation Director, Eddie Silverman, Minor Hockey.

Kaneb added that Turner developed one of the best recreation municipal recreation programs in Ontario, if not Canada.

The community paid tribute to Turner’s memory when they renamed the Memorial Centre across from the Cornwall Armouries the Bob Turner Memorial Centre.  Now demolished and replaced by the Benson Centre, Turner’s bust is on display here, while discussion continues how best to memorialise his lasting contribution to Cornwall.

Ian Bowering

Ian Bowering

Historian, author and beer aficionado Ian Bowering has curated  at eight museums, and is in the process of working on his 28th publication.

Next Post
Five Questions with musician Chloé Caroline

Five Questions with musician Chloé Caroline

Comments 1

  1. Arlis McLaughlin Teal says:
    9 months ago

    I worked for Bob Turner as a playground supervisor in Colborne and for a summer in Cornwall. I have never worked for anyone I admired more. Many of us were very upset when some of the narrow minded people couldn’t get past the colour of his skin. They had no idea what a treasure a town of 1500 people had.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

  • Business & Finances (15)
  • Columns (609)
    • Archived (113)
      • Filter-Free Zone (9)
      • For What it's Worth (36)
      • Fostering Change (2)
      • Memo from the Mayor (2)
      • Men Writes (25)
      • Mortgage Tips (1)
      • Seeker Snippets (22)
      • Take Note (6)
      • Which Witch is Witch? (10)
    • Current (374)
      • Appreciating Contemporary Art (1)
      • Discover SD&G (34)
      • Fashionably Marlene (12)
      • From Sharyn's Pantry (6)
      • Gardening – Ask Anna (26)
      • Grant Spills the Gravy (10)
      • Jay's Tech & Cyber Insights (3)
      • Keeping it Reel (27)
      • Local Spins from Bud's Records (9)
      • Louise Mignault (58)
      • Mental Health Matters (9)
      • Out and About (50)
      • Outdoor Club (22)
      • Reality Bytes (8)
      • roadSIGNS (30)
      • Smart Move with Sondra (2)
      • The Resilient Life (5)
      • Transition Cornwall+ (15)
      • What I'm Reading (2)
      • Wondrous Life (32)
      • Yafa Arts & Craft (20)
    • Friends of the Cline House (1)
  • Douris Deliberations (5)
  • Health & Fitness (10)
  • Home & Garden (11)
  • Interviews (156)
    • 5 questions with… (106)
    • Business Profiles (1)
    • Locals in the Loupe (47)
  • Leisure & Lifestyle (736)
  • News (2,535)
    • Ontario (1)
  • Politics (24)
    • Federal Elections (10)
    • Provincial Elections (10)
  • Science & Technology (46)
  • Sports (2)
  • The Adventures of D.B Cooper (1)
  • The Soapbox (256)
    • Agree to Disagree (114)
  • This May Also Interest You (1,536)
  • Travel (52)
  • You May Also Like (965)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube TikTok
Don't miss anything!

Get notified of all our new news by ringing the bell at the bottom left corner!

Content Safety

HERO

theseeker.ca

Trustworthy

Approved by Sur.ly

2024
Disclaimers
Stock Photos partially provided by our partner Depositphotos
The Seeker Newspaper is located at 327 Second Street E., Cornwall, ON K6H 1Y8 -- All rights reserved
The Seeker does not accept responsibility for errors, misprints or inaccuracies published within.Please note that the views and opinions expressed in news article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Seeker. The content provided is for informational purposes only and has been written from the authors’ perspective, aiming to engage and inform readers. The Seeker is committed to presenting a wide range of viewpoints and encourages readers to conduct their own research and exercise critical thinking when considering these opinions in the context of their own perspectives.
ISSN 2562-1750 (Print)

ISSN 2562-1769 (Online)
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • The Soapbox
  • Columnists
  • Events
  • Advertise!
    • Online
    • In Print
  • Puzzles
  • Videos

© 2023 Reducing our footprint!   For every issue we print, we plant a tree!

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.