November 5, 2018
Ivan Stinson
Ivan Stinson
Ontario’s living landscape lost an outstanding volunteer last month, with the passing of Ivan Stinson on Oct. 4. While not landscape professionals, Ivan and Margaret Stinson made retirement careers out of volunteering with Landscape Ontario, Communities in Bloom, Canada Blooms, Village by the Arboretum, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and many other organizations. They were prime organizers of Tree Canada’s National Tree Day.

The couple received LO’s Legacy Award at the 2015 Awards of Excellence. At the ceremony, LO member, Phil Dickie recognized the Stinsons for having more energy in their 80s than many people have in their 20s. He called them “professional volunteers, community builders and legacy makers. They are tireless stewards of the environment and enthusiastic supporters of gardens and community beautification.”

A tree will be planted in memory of Ivan Stinson in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum with a dedication service to take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.