LOCAL NEWS Cape Breton Post 03/11/08 John Graham MacInnesCommunity mourns the death of longtime councillor LAURA JEAN GRANT The Cape Breton Post RIVER BENNET - John Graham MacInnes is being remembered as the ultimate community man. The longtime Victoria County councillor, former warden and retired school teacher died early Monday from what's believed to be a heart attack. He was 61. A resident of River Bennet, MacInnes was involved in all facets of rural community life, from education and the arts to volunteer work and politics. "John Graham leaves a colossal void in the area. He was so involved in almost everything, particularly the (St. Ann's Bay United) church. The church will miss him terribly. He worked extremely long hours doing things in the community. I don't know when in the world he ever slept," said former MLA Kennie MacAskill of neighbouring Englishtown. "We'll miss him very much." First elected to Victoria County council in 1985, MacInnes served as councillor for 23 straight years going unopposed in his district in every municipal campaign since his inaugural run for the seat. "For somebody in municipal politics that's pretty amazing stuff. That in itself speaks to how he was thought of in his community, in my opinion," said fellow councillor Bruce Morrison of MacInnes' popularity representing the communities of North Shore, North River, Englishtown, South Haven and area. MacInnes was acclaimed once again in District 4 during last month's municipal election. Morrison said MacInnes "saw the big picture" and was very supportive of projects throughout the county. He was also a wealth of information and support throughout their years together on council. "We sat side by side basically for 11 years because our districts were side by side and that's how they seat us. He was certainly very good to me as far as mentoring and guiding for my introduction to municipal politics," he said. "We didn't always agree on our politics or our hockey teams but we certainly developed a very sincere friendship." Morrison described MacInnes as a real gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour. "We had a lot of laughs," he recalled. Sandy Hudson, Victoria County's chief adminstrative officer, said MacInnes - who served one term as warden and a couple of terms as deputy warden - will be missed around the council table. "His experience and his counsel will be sorely missed," said Hudson. "He's quite a community worker, too, down the North Shore and North River and Englishtown and all that area. He was always doing something for somebody." MacInnes was also a respected educator who taught for many years at schools in Baddeck, Sydney Mines and North Shore. He retired from the now-closed North Shore Elementary School about six years ago. "I had the privilege of working with him for his last two years of teaching," said Marilyn MacLeod, former principal at North Shore. "I just have such fond memories. We had a lot of laughs and he couldn't be better to work with, lots of funny jokes and funny stories. "(He was) a man who was very proud of his family and who loved his pets and loved children and loved teaching. He was very kind and just had so many experiences and talents and he wanted to share those with children." MacInnes often performed in local producations and with the St. Ann's Bay Players, and MacLeod said he was always willing to share his passion for theatre with the school. MacLeod, a resident of North Shore, said MacInnes was "involved in everything" in the community and was well respected and loved. MacInnes is survived by his wife, Joan, and two sons, Chris and Ken. ljgrant@cbpost.com 04/11/08