SOUTH STORMONT – Residents and politicians from South Stormont and across SD&G are mourning the loss of former township mayor Jim Bancroft.
Bancroft died Monday. He was in his mid-70s.
He was elected mayor of South Stormont in 2014 and also served as warden for the United Counties of SD&G in 1997 and 2017.
Bancroft was also reeve of then-Osnabruck Township prior to SD&G amalgamation in 1998.
“Jim will be remembered as a gentleman who advocated for residents. Our deepest condolences to Jim’s family and friends,” the county said in a statement on Facebook. The county administration building on Pitt Street will have its flag at half mast.
Tammy Hart was deputy mayor during Bancroft’s mayoral term from 2014 to 2018 and called him a hard working, dedicated person.
“I found he was a wonderful man. Worked well with his council and constituents. Very honourable person and had many years past experience. He was a good example of politics,” Hart told Cornwall Newswatch.
“There was a lot about Jim and the time he put into the community and his efforts were just wonderful,” Hart reflected.
She described Bancroft as a businessman with a lot of experience who was involved in all facets of South Stormont. “Jim was very busy with being active with the fair board. He was big into sports. He knew the firemen well. He was just a well-liked, well-rounded politician.”
Hart says she visited Jim about a week ago. “It was really nice to talk with him. Oh my God, he was just the old Jim that we knew and he tried so hard to stick to a little bit of political talk that he always enjoyed.”
Bancroft had planned to run for school board trustee in the 2018 municipal election but withdrew his name citing ongoing health issues.
He is survived by his wife, Amy, two daughters and a son.
Funeral arrangements are pending.