STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR: Rest In Peace Fred Heyduk

“It is with great sadness that I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of Fred Heyduk, a dedicated community leader and champion for accessibility and inclusion in Wasaga Beach.

Fred gave an extraordinary amount of his time and energy to making our community a more accessible and welcoming place for everyone.

For sixteen years, Fred played a leading role on the Town of Wasaga Beach’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, serving as Chair for much of his time on the committee. His advocacy helped bring important accessibility improvements to our community, including Mobi-Mats and Mobi-Chairs that have helped make our beachfront more accessible to people of all abilities.

Fred also believed deeply in education and building understanding from a young age. He was instrumental in the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s in-school education program, helping teach local students about accessibility, disability and the importance of creating an inclusive community.

His commitment to others was recognized through a number of honours, including being named Wasaga Beach’s Finest Citizen of the Year in 2015 and receiving a provincial Champion Award for his work supporting people with disabilities.

But Fred’s contribution to Wasaga Beach went well beyond any award or accomplishment. He was a kind and caring man with a big heart who consistently put accessibility and inclusion at the forefront. His dedication made a real difference in the lives of others and helped make Wasaga Beach a better community.

On behalf of Council and the Town of Wasaga Beach, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Fred’s family, friends, fellow committee members and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

Fred leaves behind a meaningful legacy of service, advocacy and inclusion that will continue to be felt in our community for many years to come.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time."

Mayor Brian Smith

Karla Findlay
Team Lead, Communications, Customer Experience & Public Engagement
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Sandra Watts
General Manager of External Relations | Director of Communications, Destination Marketing & Intergovernmental Affairs
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