Madawaska Valley Township residents are mourning the passing of their mayor, Mark Willmer, who died unexpectedly on the weekend.

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Barry’s Bay – Madawaska Valley (MV) Mayor Mark Willmer, who died suddenly on Friday, was remembered by colleagues in the municipal world and by his family as a kind man who left a lasting contribution.

“Our community has been privileged to have Mark Willmer as councillor and mayor,” Madawaska Valley Councillor Mary Blank, the acting mayor of the township, said. “His unexpected passing will leave a void in our present and future.”

The councillors at MV rotate the position of acting mayor annually and Councillor Blank is filling that role in 2025.

“Mark was a gentle man with a sense of quiet leadership and advocacy for each member in our community,” she said. “He was involved in the day-to-day happenings of office and events and loved to be a part of it all.

“His word was his word and Mark listened to concerns from everyone and treated all in the same courteous manner and followed through with his assistance in all matters,” she said. “His caring nature was his strength and his smile was genuine.”

He was a solid pillar and had many plans and ideas for our township’s future and beyond, she said.

“Personally, you have taught and mentored me though the many facets of governance and leadership,” she said. “You will be missed but your spirit, integrity and courage will be remembered.”

Mayor Willmer brought to his role experience on both sides of municipal service as an employee and member of council. A first term mayor, he had extensive experience including 26 years as a councillor, 22 in Arnprior and four in MV.

He also worked as a municipal employee for over 30 years, beginning in Arnprior and finishing his career at the City of Ottawa working in the City Manager’s office as a Strategic Facility Analyst. Mr. Willmer was also involved in the ski hill in Barry’s Bay as a minority partner, serving as the “face” of the ski hill until its closure several years ago.

Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon issued a public statement, noting he was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of the mayor, adding he had known him for a long time, dating to his time on municipal council in Arnprior.

“Mark was a quiet, thoughtful and caring person,” the warden said. “Mark wanted only the best for his community and worked constantly for that to occur. All of us will miss our conversations with him and our many laughs sparked by his insightful humour.”

In speaking with the Leader, Warden Emon noted although Mayor Willmer had a lot of experience in municipal life, he was never pushing his expertise and “did not try to flash his credentials” at county council.

“He was very understated,” he said.

The warden said he will remember Mayor Willmer as a man with a great sense of humour who was a good person to be around.

“He had a great sense of humour and it would especially come out when we were in groups of two or three,” he said.

As a member of county council for the last two years, he served on the Operations Committee and Development and Property Committee before council went into the Committee of the Whole structure.

“He was always well prepared and asked the right questions to get the job done,” the warden said.

Worked for Community

Former Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, a resident of MV, said he was shocked when CAO Sue Klatt notified him of Mayor Willmer’s death. He said he knew the mayor had been dealing with some mobility issues recently.

“But things were getting better, and he was improving in that regard.”

He noted his relationship with him dated back to when he was first elected as MPP and Mayor Willmer was a councillor in Arnprior. He recalled how the late Arnprior resident and political watchdog, Doug Scheels, had insisted Coun. Willmer was someone he had to meet.

“He (Mr. Scheels) felt Mark Willmer was one of the ones, that they used to say, was as solid as the dollar. He was just an absolutely gem of a person in Doug’s estimation, and I did get to know Mark in the respective roles that we played.”

He characterized Mr. Willmer as a “cautious, but committed person,” in his political life, where he would never be overly reactive without having gotten a full picture of the circumstances on each and every topic.

“Which I think is very, very important in the role that he took on here as mayor in Madawaska Valley,” he noted. “He was someone that struck me as a person that he never, ever put his own personal ambitions, whether political or otherwise, ahead of what he saw as his responsibilities in the role which he fulfilled, whether it be councillor or mayor of Madawaska Valley.

“And that’s something I always saw as a tremendous quality in a person, because, in politics, it’s hard sometimes, not to put one’s personal wants at the top,” he added.

Mr. Yakabuski said he was aware Mayor Willmer had decided he would not be seeking re-election in the 2026 municipal vote, noting he believed the community would be better served by another because he was unsure of what his ability might be then.

“That, in itself, is something that is admirable,” Mr. Yakabuski remarked.

He said whenever there was a municipal issue, including grant applications for recreation, infrastructure, or otherwise, or one that affected the county, the mayor was never shy to let him know his feelings.

“But Mark was also never one who would be aggressive in that nature, because he was always respectful of the reality that I lived in as the member. He was always clear and concise, but never aggressive . . . he was good at making his points without making an argument.”

Siblings Remember

Mr. Willmer’s brothers, Bruce, Andrew and Jonathan describe him foremost as a loving and devoted partner, a proud parent and grandparent, a passionate community leader and a brother who never forgot his roots.

“He worried and cared for everyone and always thought about the future,” they shared. “There was not enough time in a day for Mark to accomplish everything, never rushing anyone, listening to all; he always moved forward with positivity and an infectious smile.”

They recalled from his early teenage years, their brother had a fascination with Canadian politics at all levels but always felt that municipal politics was where he could make a difference.

“He enjoyed the grassroots level of municipal politics and the ability to be able to meet face-to-face with constituents on the street, in the grocery store or in a coffee shop. An early story from his teenage years: over family dinners he would constantly challenge friends and neighbours over their political views trying to change their political thinking. In later years he became more nuanced in his persuasive techniques.”

He was one of the longest standing councillors in Arnprior (just shy of 20 consecutive years in service as a councillor), receiving the highest honour, the town crest for his service. He had many personal interests for the community including saving the Old Growth Forest (The Grove), local garbage collection, and recycling as well as a passion for the responsible and sustainable development for the town.

Mayor Willmer fell in love with the Madawaska Valley and Barry’s Bay through successive visits to family cottages on Kamaniskeg Lake and through his passion for the Madawaska Mountain Ski Area. He moved there in 2011 and met the love of his life, Janet Adams.

“Mark was so proud of this community and promoted the Madawaska Valley and its communities to anyone that would listen,” his siblings noted. “His passion for small communities and rural life was a reflection of his own interests and beliefs. His goals to led a tightly knit council for the betterment of all in this beautiful community was all that he wanted, the pinnacle of an understated and great career of community dedication.”

On a personal note, his siblings noted he loved to create wonderful meals as a budding gourmet and was always the first to adopt the newest and greatest cooking gadget. “His pizzas, BBQs, and other creations were often the centrepieces of his love for Janet or family reunions, regaling Janet or his guests with an overabundance of delicious food.

Mark was a lover of animals and the natural world and over his lifetime he had quite a menagerie of various pets, (guinea pigs, cats and dogs, cockatiels and an angry large African Parrot),” they recalled. “He enjoyed exploring the natural world through the lens of his camera and amassed a record of the wildlife and natural wonders of the Madawaska Valley.

“He loved his walks in the woods and trails of eastern Ontario and loved time spent walking and hiking the longer trails of Algonquin Park,” they added. “He was a lover of music and over the years developed an extensive music and record collection, a vinyl aficionado.”

Mark Willmer and his partner, Janet, lived on Mask Island. He is also survived by two grown children, a daughter who teaches elementary school in Arnprior, and a son who is in the hospitality industry in Alberta.

Council to Determine Next Steps

The three remaining members of Madawaska Valley Township council will decide on how a new mayor should be selected, following the death of Mayor Mark Wilmer on the weekend.

It will be up to Councillors Mary Blank, Dave Shulist and Shelley Maika to decide how a new mayor should be chosen for the township. The Municipal Act has some protocols in place including declaring the seat vacant and allowing council to make a decision on how to select a mayor for the remainder of the term. With less than two years left in the mandate, council has various options.

There are only three members of council at present. The newest member of council has yet to be sworn in. Ernie Peplinski was chosen as the successor for Councillor Joseph Olsheski who resigned because of increased work pressures following the death of his father. He was scheduled to be sworn in later this month. County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon said after a new mayor is sworn in for MV, that individual will be appointed to Renfrew County council.

“Once a new mayor is confirmed by by-law they will be sworn in to County council,” he said. “We will offer them as much support as we can.”

Councillor Mary Blank is the acting mayor at present. The municipality has the various councillors rotating the position of acting mayor on an annual basis and she was appointed to that position for 2025.

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Editor’s Note: The death of Madawaska Valley Mayor Mark Willmer over the Easter weekend came as a profound shock to the greater Barry’s Bay community and beyond. The Leader joins with residents of MV in extending our condolences to Mayor Willmer’s family, friends and colleagues on council and township staff.

As Mayor of Madawaska Valley, he was committed to the ideal of public service for many years, and he served MV with dedication and commitment. Township CAO Sue Klatt issued the following tribute Monday evening.

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MV Council Comments

“It is with profound sadness that we, the Council and municipal staff of Madawaska Valley Township, extend our heartfelt condolences to Janet, Mark’s extended family, friends, and neighbours on Mask Island.

In times like these, words often feel inadequate; however, they allow us to express our shared grief and our collective appreciation for the remarkable life Mark lived.

Mark will forever be remembered for his unwavering love and commitment to the Madawaska Valley community. A champion of public service, he dedicated decades to bettering the lives of those around him, beginning his career as recreational staff in the City of Ottawa. His journey continued as a councillor for many years in Arnprior, leading to four transformative years here in Madawaska Valley. Most notably, since 2022, he carried the honour of serving as mayor, a role he embraced with passion and dedication.

For Mark, community was everything. He was a familiar and cherished figure at local events, from the electrifying energy of MV Wolves games at the local rink to the vibrant spirit of community breakfasts and gatherings at the Barry’s Bay Legion. His presence was a testament to his belief that a thriving community emerges where its members actively participate and support one another.

As he once eloquently put it, “A thriving community is one where people want to live, where you’re helping people, where you prioritize safety and help your neighbours; a community you will never want to leave and others envy you for living there.”

Indeed, Mark cherished his move to Mask Island in Madawaska Valley, which he often described as “the best decision of his life.”

While many in the municipal recognized Mark as the face of the council, those who knew him more intimately appreciated his many talents—one of which was his skill as a photographer. With his camera in hand, he beautifully captured the essence of rural living and showcased the unrivalled natural beauty our municipality has to offer. His photographs celebrated nature, wildlife, sunrises, sunsets, the playful adventures of his beloved dog Oliver, and the joyful moments shared with family and friends at community events.

Mark possessed a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He made it a priority to engage with residents, ensuring he was available for every call and meeting every person who sought his attention.

His approach in public service was defined by inclusivity and empathy—qualities that earned him the respect and admiration of many. He understood that a life in public service could be filled with both recognition and challenges, yet it was his unwavering dedication to community engagement and readiness to listen that truly distinguished him as a leader. Mark made it clear he was not comfortable with conflict or discord and would often be torn between conflicting opinions to finally making a decision based on his instinct and his personal belief.

On behalf of the council, staff, and all the communities Mark lovingly served as a municipal representative—whether through his work as staff or as a councillor—we extend our deepest gratitude to Janet and his extended family, who shared him with us all. Your sacrifice allowed Mark to pour his heart into the communities he loved so dearly, and we are forever thankful for that.

As we navigate this time of loss together, the council and municipal staff will take a period to grieve and reflect on the impact Mark had on our lives and his unwavering support for the communities he served. In the coming weeks, we will initiate the necessary procedures outlined in the Municipal Act regarding the vacancy of the mayor’s seat. Until that time comes, Councillor Mary Blank will step in as the acting mayor, as stipulated in our appointment by-law as an interim measure.

Mark was a man driven by passion, dedication, and an immense love for his community. His legacy of service will undoubtedly continue to inspire those who remain. As we witness the outpouring of condolences from various communities and organizations, we are reminded of the far-reaching impact of Mark’s leadership. It serves as a testament to the lives he touched, the friendships he cultivated, and the spirit of service he exemplified.

In honour of Mark’s memory, our municipal flags have been lowered to half-staff and will remain so until after his celebration of life service, scheduled for May 1st at 5 p.m. at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Center. It brings us solace to know that flags were also lowered at the County of Renfrew and the Town of Arnprior, recognizing the many years Mark dedicated to serving their communities. These gestures indicate the profound respect and admiration held for him across the region.

In these challenging times, it is essential for us all to come together, supporting one another as we collectively mourn the loss of a great friend and leader. The celebration of life service is a poignant occasion for everyone who knew Mark—a moment to remember his countless contributions and to celebrate the joy he brought to our lives. His family, friends, and colleagues are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult journey they must now navigate.

Mark’s spirit will continue to guide the Madawaska Valley Township, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps of selfless service and active community engagement. We will deeply miss him, but we know his absence will be felt most profoundly by those who knew him personally, who understood the warmth of his character, and who cherished his friendship.

Let us remember Mark not just for the office he held, but for the multitude of lives he enriched with his kindness, wisdom, humour, and love. May we honour his legacy by striving to foster the very community ideals he championed throughout his life.”