George Ashe
(1932 – 2014)
George Ashe
George Lyle Ashe was born October 5, 1932, in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1954, he married Margaret (Margo) and had four children Steven, Cheryl, Kevin, and Brian.
Mr. Ashe became involved in public service early, serving on School Boards in the Ottawa area and as an Alderman for Nepean township in the early 1960s. He worked for Northern Life Canada and obtained his Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1964.
In 1965, George moved his family to Scarborough and two years later moved to Pickering.
He entered local politics in 1969 and became the first Mayor of Pickering in 1973.
He was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1977 election as the Progressive Conservative MPP for Durham West and served as a Parliamentary Assistant to three Ministers. Winning the 1981 election, he became Minister of Revenue and then, Minister of Government Services in the Bill Davis government.
He was named Minister of Energy in 1985 in the Frank Miller government and later was appointed as Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet.
In opposition, he was the Progressive Conservative Party’s critic for Revenue, the Management Board, and Financial Institutions. In 1987, he lost the Durham West constituency in the Liberal Party’s sweep of the province.
Mr. Ashe concluded his public: service as a Catholic School Trustee in Clarington.
On August 3, 2014, he passed away peacefully after a courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
George Ashe is recognized and honoured as the foremost resident of Pickering, an outstanding politician and public servant in the city, the region and the province.
It is with great pride, deep respect and lasting memory that the library/community centre is now renamed in his honour:
George Ashe Library and Community Centre
Piping in the guests of honour:
The Ceremony
presented by
City of Pickering Council
Mayor
Dave Ryan
Regional Councillors City Councillors
Kevin Ashe Maurice Brenner
Bill McLean Ian Cumming
David Pickles Shaheen Butt Agenda
Welcoming remarks – Mayor Ryan
Remarks – Councillor Kevin Ashe
Special presentation to the Ashe family
Official Ribbon Cutting for the new Library Reading Garden
Reception
His History of Service
George Lyle Ashe had a long-standing history of serving the public. This service included:
- Deputy Reeve of Pickering, 1969;
- Pickering’s first Mayor, 1973-1977
- Member of Durham Regional Council;
- Member of the Ontario Legislature, 1977-85 representing the Durham West riding;
- Minister of Revenue, 1981-1983;
- Minister of Government Services, 1983-1985;
- Minister of Energy, 1985;
- Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, 1985;
- Trustee, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, 2003;
- Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for community service, 2013
In the year of Canada’s 150th birthday, the renaming of a community centre will leave a legacy for future generations, recognizing the impact of Mr. Ashe’s service and commitment to Pickering.
