The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is hosting a reception Tuesday afternoon in honour of the passing of former alderman and Freedom of the Municipality holder, Garry Watson.
Starting at 4 p.m. at the Maury Young Arts Centre, the reception will take place before the regular meeting of council begins at 5:30 p.m.
At the council meeting, Whistler Museum executive director Brad Nichols will make a presentation looking back on Watson’s unparalleled life and accomplishments in Whistler.
A lawyer, developer, former Citizen of the Year, and member of the RMOW’s original council, Watson was instrumental in the eventual development of the village at its current site, and helped pave the way for the the community to evolve into the world-class ski resort it is today.
Watson died last month at the age of 89, and leaves behind an immense legacy.
“He just loved the valley. He loved the mountains, He loved everything about Whistler,” Anne Popma, Watson’s wife of 36 years, told Pique last month. “He spent a good part of his life making it what it is today.”
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Whistler Museum. Learn more and donate at whistlermuseum.org.
