St. Marys Heritage: A Portrait of Service and Legacy - John Wilson Eedy

eternalcarestonese
Oct 20
2 min read

Updated: Oct 20

The history of St. Marys, Ontario, is filled with stories of dedication, and few families embody this more than the Eedys. Today, we look at a photograph capturing a remarkable figure from that lineage: John Wilson Eedy , seen here proudly wearing his military uniform.

Born in St. Marys in 1915, picture here with his father Lorne and sister.

John Wilson Eedy was a local through and through, attending Central School and St. Marys Collegiate.

He went on to uphold a significant family tradition by graduating from the University of Toronto in 1937. In doing so, he became the third generation of the Eedy family to earn a degree from the prestigious university, cementing a deep commitment to education.

John was going places, then the Second World War broke out, John Wilson Eedy answered the call to service. He served as an officer with the Oxford Rifles. His service took him far from his hometown, and while stationed in Prince George, B.C., he met Dorothy May Strom. They married in 1943, starting their own family chapter amidst the turbulent years of the war.

Following the war, John Wilson Eedy returned home and stepped into a role that had been held by his father, Lorne A. Eedy. After his father's death, John Wilson Eedy assumed the vital position of publisher-editor of the St. Marys Journal Argus. This newspaper was, and remains, a cornerstone of the community.

He was not just an editor; he was a voice. He penned his popular column, "The Rambling Reporter," for decades, offering insights and observations on local life until his death in 1996. Through his work, he ensured the paper remained a faithful mirror of St. Marys life.

The Eedy legacy in publishing continued, though 4 generations, with John as publisher of the St. Marys Journal Argus in 1974, demonstrating that the family's dedication to service—both to country and community—is a tradition that spans generations. John Wilson Eedy's life stands as a testament to commitment, both in uniform and in print.