April 23, 2004 Remembering Stan Darling

Stan Darling from Burk’s Falls died on April 11, just short of his 94^th birthday.  I met with him on several occasions to discuss politics and local history.  As a politician he was a Councillor (4yrs), Reeve (26) and Federal member of parliament for 21 years representing Muskoka/Parry Sound.  His interest in family history went back to his grandfather Tom Darling who came to Wisa Wasa, where the Wasi River enters Callander Bay, to manage J.R. Booth’s logging operation in 1885.  I wrote an article in Community Voices in December 2000 called “Darlings play outstanding role in area history”

Stan Darling in his office in Burk’s Falls with some political mementos.  Doug Mackey photo.

Over the years I met him at his office in Burk’s Falls, the Burk’s Falls Fall Fair, the Callander Bay Heritage Museum and at his 90^th birthday party.  He opened the Boat Show at the Callander Museum in 2000 and they also gave him a birthday party.  He was born in the museum in 1911.  I was fortunate to get on his mailing list and received his year end family letters each Christmas where he kept people up to date.  I called him the week before he died with a question someone had directed to me. 

Family History 

Tom Darling (1845-1915) Tom’s grandfather lived at Wisa Wasa with his third wife and 12 children for some 30 years until the Booth Mill closed.  He moved his house across Callander Bay on the ice where it remains today on Main Street and started a sawmill with his son David.  During those years he was active in the church, school and council acting as reeve at one time. 

J.R. Booth who had a depot in Chisholm Township took out logs in the area on Depot Creek (Nosbonsing River) across Lake Nosbonsing to the Kaibaskong R & on to his mills in Ottawa.  He also took out white pine on the Wasi River which went into Lake Nipissing where there was an 8km height of land between Wisa Wasa and Lake Nosbonsing.  Booth decided to build a railway to take the Wasi River logs to Lake Nosbonsing and soon took millions of prime logs from the shores of Lake Nipissing and from the Wasi Watershead. 

David Darling, Tom’s son and right hand man married Henrietta Morrison the daughter of George Morrison the Reeve of North Himsworth from 1887 to 1914 and sister to Ken Morrison who was reeve from 1922 to 1945 a combined time similar to Stan Darling’s personal political career.  Another son Victor was a long time captain on Lake Nipissing.  Son George had a son Gordon who was an early radio pioneer and was honoured as “Canada’s Radio Personality of the Half-Century” in 1950. 

Another son Jack (Stan’s father) (1884-1968) married Kathleen Scarlett a merchant’s daughter from Powassan.  Kathleen’s brother was a doctor who lived in what was to become the home of Dr. Dafoe the Quint Doctor and is now the Museum.  Jack owned the house briefly and Stan was born there.  The Darlings moved to Burk’s Falls where Stan grew up and prospered as an insurance broker and real estate man while pursuing a career in politics.  His 2 sons followed him in the business and now 2 grandsons run it.  Stan’s great grandson Emmett was born recently extending the family through 6 generations in the area. 

Politics 

As indicated above Stan was active in politics for over 50 years.  He was also active in the Agricultural Society and officially opened many fall fairs until recently, presenting Darling Awards to various winners.  He had perfect attendance in his cherished Lions Club for over 60 years and attended church every Sunday. 

Stan was a strong environmentalist in Parliament and was known as “Mr. Acid Rain”.  He was also an outstanding fighter for his constituents.  He helped get funding for the Callander Museum when it started in 1979.  In 1995 Stan published his memoirs “The Political Diaries of Stan Darling” with a book launch attended by many well-known politicians.  Ernie Eves noted in a speech at the time that Stan was “the best constituency man, anywhere, anytime”.  A special ceremony at the Village Green in Burk’s Falls involved the planting of 2 trees for Stan and his wife Mona with a stone plaque recognizing their contribution. 

Stan’s office walls are covered with family photos, letters of recognition, and various awards.  A Canadian “Distinguished Service Award” was presented to Stan in the House of commons in 2000 and he received a Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002. 

Stan’s 90^th birthday was a huge event with many politicians, family and friends present to honour his life as a consummate leader and worker.

 He will be missed.