The former publisher of the Ohio Valley Publishing Co. died on May 13, 2006, but not before he saw considerable progress on the Syracuse Community Center, located in an old school building which he purchased and gave to the Village of Syracuse to be used as a community center.
His vision for the building to be a full-service facility, open to the public, was well underway prior to his death. It has been furthered by the Board of Trustees and numerous volunteers who continue the work of making the Center a place of pride for the Village of Syracuse, in accordance with Wingett’s wishes.
But the Center is not the only contributions being recognized at this time. Cathy Crow, a trustee, listed numerous improvements to the village made with grants secured by Wingett. These included financial assistance with the construction of the Syracuse municipal building, fire department, pool, park, marina, and basketball and tennis courts, along with grants to pave streets, upgrade the water system and construct the public sewage disposal system.
It was Wingett who donated land so that the Carleton School for Disabled Children and Adults could be built, and it was under his direction that the Carleton Scholarship Fund and the Ernest and the Maxine Wingett Memorial Scholarship Fund were established to benefit local college students.
The Board of Directors of the Community Center, both past and present, have worked hard to assure that Wingett’s dream would become a reality. “Even though the task set before us has been difficult and sometimes frustrating, it has been an honor to continue to carry out Bob’s wishes,” said Crow.” He was a good business man, a great community worker, a great friend, a great neighbor and to some just good ole “Uncle Bobby.”
“Although Bob’s life was no more important than anyone else’s, his dreams and visions for our small community were special. We continue to work towards those dreams and remember the source of our inspiration,” she concluded in speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
Post a Comment
