The flag at Belleville City Hall is flying at half mast today (Wednesday) in honour of educator and local historian Gerry Boyce, who died overnight, surrounded by his family.
Over the decades, Belleville’s historian published several books and articles, not only about the history of Belleville but Hastings County as well.
Current Society President Richard Hughes says Boyce was an inspiration to its hundreds of volunteers.
“The thing with Gerry Boyce was, he was, he was absolutely devoted, energetic and enthusiastic about the community, not just local history but the whole community.”
Boyce was a charter member of the Hastings County Historical Society and Hughes says he worked hard to keep its long history alive.
“He loved a good story and he always took history as being basically a series of stories and he was a great storyteller and his enthusiasm was always full of energy, and that inspired people.”
One of Boyce’s most popular books was Belleville: A Popular History, published in 2009.
He served on Belleville city council from 1991 until 1997.
President of the Hastings County Historical Society Richard Hughes (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
