County mourns loss of Coun. Gerald Nanninga

County councillors are mourning the loss of one of their own.

Gerald Nanninga, 66, was killed June 13 when the motorcycle he was driving collided with the back of a pick-up truck. RCMP responded to the call at about 2:20 p.m. Nanninga was airlifted to the Royal Alex hospital in Edmonton where he succumbed to his injuries, said Cpl. Darryl Lutz. No other persons were injured, and both vehicles involved in the collision were travelling east on Highway 18, just north of Barr-head. No charges will be laid.

“The motorcycle had been following the truck prior to the collision,” Lutz said. “Road conditions were good, visibility was unrestricted, and alcohol was not a factor. We’re still investigating, and we’ll do a mechanical on the motorcycle.”

The accident reconstructionist from Westlock attended the scene as well, Lutz said, in an effort to determine exactly what happened.

“It’s sad times for Barr-head,” Lutz said.

County employees are devasted by the loss. County manager Mark Oberg said Nanninga was a solid member of the council, and a community leader who will be sorely missed.

County Reeve Bill Lee agreed wholeheartedly. He served on council with Nanninga for about seven years altogether. During that time, Lee and Nanninga formed an effective working relationship, but more than that, they became friends, Lee said.

“He was a friend and he was a colleague who sat beside me for years on council,” Lee said. “It wasn’t just about the business with the County. We worked together, we got along really well, and I knew Gerald from our days in school. He was a good councillor – he did his job well and asked good questions.”

In the days that followed, Nanninga’s fellow Council members had much to say of their friend and colleague. Here are some of their words:

“I will miss his humour, his friendship and his wisdom.”

“Gerald was very knowledgeable when it came to the technical part of agriculture. He did a great job representing agriculture.”

“He had an abundance of energy ... and had a keen interest in County matters.”

“He was a great mentor for me, being a new councillor.”

“I will miss the quality of debate Gerald would bring out in council.”

“I will truly miss his great calmness.”

“Goodbye friend.”

Nanninga began his role as a County councillor in 2001. Since that time he served well on many different committees and boards, both within the County of Barr-head and beyond its borders. A few of these responsibilities were: president of the Pembina Zone and member of the Resolutions Committee for the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties; member on the Barrhead Regional Water Committee; board member on the Athabasca Watershed Council; member of the County of Barrhead Agricultural Services Board; board member on the Barrhead and District Social Housing Association; Deputy Reeve.

Nanninga will be missed by both Council and staff, as a colleague, a leader and a friend, all councillors agreed.

Coun. Bill Lane said it’s Nanninga’s knowledge of the issues, among many other things, that will be missed.

“He was very vocal, and he had an extreme passion for many things in life including search and rescue and baseball,” Lane said.

“Everybody was shocked when we heard the news. This is a terrible tragedy, and our condolences go out to his wife and children.”

Lane and Nanninga were elected to County council in the same year. Both men were currently serving the first year of their fourth term. Nanninga also served as the fire chief prior to his involvement with County council, but had to make a big decision at that time, because his role with the fire department was important to him, but he wasn’t able to do both, Lane said.

“As a Christian, he was very involved with his church and he loved to sing,” Lane recounted. “He was part of a choir, and he made sure we always knew about any concerts. Family was extremely important to him, and he was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren.”

Nanninga’s death will leave a void at the council table, Lane said.

“We had a good council, but we have to continue. We’ll all talk about Gerald and remember our time spent with him.”

Nanninga was laid to rest yesterday at the Christian Reformed Church in Neerlandia. In respect of Coun. Nanninga and his family, the County of Barrhead office was closed from noon till the end of the day.

County councillors will meet today as part of their regular monthly meetings, where they will appoint a new deputy reeve. Furthermore, nominations will soon take place to fill the vacancy left, and if more than one name is put forth, then a by-election will happen, Lee said.