J. A. "Pete" McGarvey (1927 -) Inducted 1995

From script-writer to assistant general manager to feature newscaster and commentator to Arts and Entertainment Editor, to author, Pete McGarvey has had an interesting and exciting life. He was born in Toronto in 1927, and arrived in Orillia to work at radio station CFOR in 1947, then moved on to Chatham and Toronto.

He has interviewed over a thousand prominent personalities from Hollywood, Broadway and the world of music. As a radio journalist, he had the opportunity to travel the world, including Moscow, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Jerusalem and Beirut, bringing back reports from these places. As a syndicated travel correspondent, this energetic man journeyed to many more global destinations in the 1990's.

Like his good friend, Dr. Harold Hale, Pete entered wholeheartedly into the life of the municipality wherever he was. Chatham will remember him for his "Pageant on the Thames". It is impossible to list the many and varied ways Pete has served - on boards and foundations and institutions in connection with radio and with historical projects.

For 12 years, Orillia was fortunate to have Pete as an alderman, reeve and deputy-reeve. Through his determined efforts, Old Brewery Bay, the summer home of the celebrated author, Stephen Leacock, was secured and restored. It is now a National Historic Site. Pete was chairman of the Leacock Home Board for six years and the citizens of Orillia chose him to be the "Citizen of the Year" for 1957.

With his wife, Eileen, Pete lives in semi-retirement in Orillia and Orillia is proud of his endeavours.