Woolwich will name a referee room at the WMC and a future road after long-time employee and community booster Richard Rank.
![Richard Rank, a long-time Woolwich employee and tireless community volunteer who died last January, will be honoured by having his name affixed to a township road and one of the referees’ rooms at the WMC. [File Photo]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/post_rank.jpg){kind=icon}
Rank died of a heart attack while at work last January 3. He was 57.
“The loss of Richard was a big loss to this organization and this community,” said township chief administrative officer David Brenneman in discussing the commemorative plans at a November 25 council meeting.
The move was made in consultation with Rank’s family, he explained, with wife Deby and son Kyle on hand.
Jovial and eager to chat, Rank was always visible in the community, whether driving a township snowplow or refereeing a hockey game.
“His contribution to minor hockey is close to unparalleled,” said Coun. Mark Bauman, calling the naming plans “a nice way we can remember Richard and what he contributed to our township.”
Bauman recalled him to be a tireless supporter of minor sports, always willing to give of his time. At his passing, the family asked that any donations be made to Friends of Hockey, a fund to assist families unable to afford to take part in the sport.
One of the referee rooms at the Woolwich Memorial Centre will be called the Richard Rank Referee’s Room in recognition of his contributions. A road in the next phase of the Birdland subdivision in Elmira will be named Richard Rank Road in recognition of his contribution as a long-serving township employee.
Naming ceremonies will be held at a future date at both the WMC and following construction of the road in the new subdivision.
