Ward Yorke speaks highly at his brother Ron's memorial dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge on the Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Ward Yorke speaks highly at his brother Ron's memorial dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge on the Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)
Sarnia

Bridge Memorial a "Celebration of Life"

Two bridges within Sarnia-Lambton's Howard Watson Nature Trail have been opened again after significant renovation.

The $22,000 project now allows multiple users to safely cross the Ron Yorke Bridge and Cow Creek Bridge on Lakeshore Road just east of Macklin's Market.

At a dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge Monday afternoon, Ward Yorke thanked the community for the boulder and plaque in his brother's name.

"I know he did a lot for the community and he worked hard at it," says Ward. "I'm very, very thankful for the community doing this for him."

Before his passing, Ron Yorke served a number of years as the Bluewater Trails Committee Chair. One of his most notable projects included founding "Bike Friendly Lambton" which continues to advocate for safer cycling to this day.

"He taught for 32 years, he coached soccer and hockey, raised a family," says Ward. "He did everything with exuberance, with enthusiasm, and that's the way he lived. He was great."

The plaque dedicated in his name reads "volunteer, advocate, champion", words that Ward thought were appropriate for his brother's memorial.

Mayor Mike Bradley spoke highly of Ron Yorke, says the memorial should be a 'celebration of life' June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Mayor Mike Bradley spoke highly of Ron Yorke, says the memorial should be a 'celebration of life' June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Ward Yorke speaks highly at his brother Ron's memorial dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge on the Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Ward Yorke speaks highly at his brother Ron's memorial dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge on the Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge dedicated to the former Bluewater Trail's Chair member. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Dedication ceremony for the Ron Yorke Bridge dedicated to the former Bluewater Trail's Chair member. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Unveiling the memorial for Ron Yorke at the newly renovated bridge on Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Unveiling the memorial for Ron Yorke at the newly renovated bridge on Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Unveiling the memorial for Ron Yorke at the newly renovated bridge on Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Unveiling the memorial for Ron Yorke at the newly renovated bridge on Howard Watson Nature Trail. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Boulder at the Ron Yorke Bridge dedicated to the former Bluewater Trail's Chair member, Ron Yorke. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Boulder at the Ron Yorke Bridge dedicated to the former Bluewater Trail's Chair member, Ron Yorke. June 29, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

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