A8

By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

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Fredericton has lost one of its favourite voices.

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Thom Joordens represented Fredericton around the world as town crier. Above, Joordens dons his crier costume for New Brunswick Day celebrations in 1999.

Former town crier Thom Joordens passed away Monday at the age of 78.

Joordens held the honour of owning the city's most "heard" voice for 14 years, retiring from the position in 2000.

His distinctive "oyez, oyez, oyez" was recognized far and wide.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said he was saddened by the news of Joorden's passing.

"He was a great man and did a lot for the community," Woodside said.

"He was a very proud Canadian from Holland descent and a great ambassador for the city."

Woodside said Joordens will be remembered for his role as town crier - a role he performed well and one that was responsible for a lot of good memories, some of which were humorous.

"I remember when we were down in New York and were going in the New York Stock Exchange, they made him set his bell aside for fear that he might bring the financial markets to a standstill," Woodside said.

"He attended a lot of functions and enjoyed very much his role as town crier."

Joordens represented Fredericton as a crier all over the world, including at the world town crier championships in New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, England, the U.S., and in Fredericton in 1990.

The mayor said Joordens, a former soldier, who served with the Royal Canadian Regiment from 1954 to 1973, will also be remembered for his work with the NATO and Norad Veterans Organization, a group he helped form in 2006.

He was also a member of Branch 4 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Bob Lockhart of Fredericton, a retired lieutenant-colonel in the reserves, said Joordens was the complete soldier - serving well in the regular forces and assisting veterans during his golden years.

"He benefitted and enjoyed life because he was the complete person," Lockhart said.

A native of Blerick, Netherlands, Joordens immigrated to Canada on July 11, 1950.

He was the son of the late Johannes and Maria Bernardina (Waterreus) Joordens.

Aside from his military career, he served as director of maintenance for School District 26 (now 18) until his retirement in 1991.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, becoming Grand Knight of the St. Francis of Assisi Council in 1987.

Joordens recently earned a Minister of Veteran's Affairs Commendation Medal in 2009.

He was recognized for his efforts to send books and Christmas cards to Canadian Forces in Bosnia, and for organizing 9-11 celebrations honouring New Brunswick's emergency service personnel.

Aside from his wife, Diny, he is survived by four children.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Dunstan's Roman Catholic Parish on Friday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Gerald M. White officiating.

Interment will take place in Beechwood National Military Cemetery, Ottawa, Ont.