"He was always there. For 20 years, Mike Anthony was there for the citizens of North Bay."
This, from Mayor Al McDonald as municipal officials and staff gathered to lower the flags in Leger Square to half-mast in honour of Councillor Mike Anthony, who died suddenly Wednesday.
See original story: Popular councillor Mike Anthony passes
"Mike served almost six terms, representing the people of the City of North Bay and he did it with honour — and he took it as an honour," McDonald told a crowd of onlookers consisting of council members, City staff, North Bay Police and Fire representatives, and members of the public.
Wendy Prieur spoke on behalf of the Anthony family, thanking the City of North Bay for honouring Anthony.
Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch described Anthony as a "friend of the community," referring to her colleague as "family."
See also: Mike Anthony remembered as 'big, jovial, happy guy'
Councillors took turns reminiscing about Anthony's wit and steadfast work to help the "little guy," in a ceremony as close to the demeanour of the fallen councillor as can be: professional and serious when need be, but always with overriding healthy doses of humour and laughter.
Many spoke about having had differences of opinion in council matters over the years, but even more importantly, how Anthony respected those opinions and put those differences aside at the end of the day, maintaining personal and professional relationships with aplomb.
McDonald remarked how "full of life" Anthony was in the minutes before what would prove to be his final council meeting, Tuesday. He said Anthony was cracking jokes and bringing some levity to the table, even in a virtual setting.
"He was chatting, he was making comments, he was laughing," observed McDonald. "That's the last memory we have of Mike."
The Mayor, who climbed the ranks along a similar timeline as Anthony, said he will "always remember Anthony's slogan: 'I will do my best for you.' And he really did."
A visibly emotional McDonald then added, "We will miss him. He will not be that voice for the citizens any longer and that's sad. We will continue his tradition and hopefully, we can do as good a job as Mike has done. Godspeed, Mike. You will be greatly missed in the City of North Bay."
