Ajax mourns longtime Councillor Patricia Brown

Ajax is mourning one of its longest-serving councillors ahead of her funeral tomorrow.

Councillor Patricia Brown was first elected in 1991 and went on to serve her town for the following 27 years. She retired in 2018. During this time she continued to work full-time as the comptroller TOCCO Magnethermic Canada and raised two boys.

She died on Nov. Rouge Valley Hospital Ajax site at age 81, according to her obituary.

For 15 years, Mayor Shaun Collier worked alongside Brown. After her passing, he said “As a rookie Councillor, I greatly appreciated her guidance and wisdom. Throughout her tenure, Pat’s commitment to Ajax was unwavering. She loved being a Councillor, balancing her role with a full-time career.”

“Pat was known for her compassion, as well as her formidable strength in protecting our community’s best interests,” Collier continued, “Even before being elected, she played a key role in halting two highly controversial projects: a proposed liquid industrial waste disposal site in Ajax and a Toronto garbage dump in Pickering (the land that later became part of Greenwood Conservation Area).”

“She was a passionate advocate for the Ajax waterfront and a staunch supporter of our unique history. Pat organized several HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Association reunions and championed significant memorials such as Veterans’ Point Gardens, the Ajax Legacy Obelisk and the Ajax Bomb Girls Monument at Pat Bayly Square.”

Ajax was founded as a munitions plant in the Second World War. Over time, the plant workers, including the Bomb Girls, built a community which remained after the war. During the conflict, the burgeoning town was named Ajax after a ship involved in an early British naval Battle of River Plate. To this day streets are still named after veterans of the battle.

Noting Brown’s work to honour the town’s history, Collier said, “Pat’s legacy will be remembered for her dedication to Ajax, her love for its history, and her fierce protection of our community’s values. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

“We’re saddened by the passing of former Ajax Councillor Pat Brown. Pat was a proud Ajacian and a champion for maintaining the history and values of the small town she loved. We are poorer for her loss,” added the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.

“I met and worked with Pat to protect the Carruthers Creek Wetland and Warblers Swamp. As the ward 3 representative, she was tireless in her commitment. Ajax will miss you, Pat. Thank you for your service,” wrote Greg Lang.

“On behalf of the Harwood family, thank you for all you have done Pat, to help the association between Ajax and the Ajax and River Plate Association to grow and flourish. It is with great sadness, but happy memories, that we learn of your passing,” wrote Ben Harwood, grandson of Admiral Henry Harwood who led the British forces in the Battle of River Plate.

The town’s flags were all lowered to half mast in Brown’s honour and books of remembrance were placed in town facilities.

Brown’s wake will be held at McEachnie Funeral Home 28 Old Kingston Road Ajax on Nov, 28, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral service will take place in the McEachnie Funeral Home Chapel on Nov. 29 at 11:00 a.m.