When we moved here in 1999, John Lief was the Mayor of Queens County. He stayed Mayor for the next 15 years. He and his wife Nancy became good friends. I do not know how we became friends. Perhaps friend Sandra Stafford and her husband Bob introduced us. John was an engaging and friendly man. And both Ken and I liked him.
He was an historian by training and had taught history at high school. But early in his career he became a politician and was elected to the provincial legislature, where he served 30 years. Over the years, he held many important positions. But finally he retired to Liverpool, where he lived the whole time. He was asked to become the Mayor, just as there was a question of combining the town of Liverpool and the county under one jurisdiction. He shepherded that through to completion and eventually consulted with many places in Nova Scotia and other provinces.
His finger print is all over Liverpool. He was responsible for the Call Center. And the arena was his baby. He has written a book about Privateers and Liverpool plus many other articles. After the arena was built and running, he decided not to ran any more. But he was active in consulting. He had that happy combination of being pleasant while being competent. And he knew just about everyone at the provincial and federal lever.
But last summer John did not look good. He was white. And on Saturday he died in the local hospital. He will be missed. His expertise and his spirit can not be replaced. And I will miss him too. May he rest in peace.
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