Summersides Boulevard to open with honourary first drive by World War II hero Jim Summersides

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2018

Pelham, ON– Pelham resident and World War II hero Jim Summersides will be the first to drive down Pelham’s newest road: Summersides Boulevard.

On Monday, September 24, at 2 p.m., Summersides, along with family and friends, will officially open the road with a ceremonial drive, ribbon cutting, and street sign unveiling.

“We are pleased to honour Mr. Summersides with this street naming,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn. “We offer  our thanks and appreciation for the life-changing sacrifices he and his service members gave during World War II.”

This important connector road links downtown Fonthill with the Community Centre and Rice Road. Given the profile of Mr. Summersides, it is fitting it be named after such a decorated war hero.  

In addition to his war efforts, Summersides is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 in Fonthill and offers countless hours on the Legion Youth & Education Program.

He was quoted as saying, “believe it or not, I sometimes wonder if I was spared to do what I’m doing now – going out and telling the kids, giving them insight.”

Summersides, born in 1924, joined the armed forces at 18 years of age, training in Orillia, ON, before deploying overseas and fighting in Italy and France. In 1944 he volunteered for the First Special Service Force, a joint Canadian-American commando unit which undertook some of the most dangerous and difficult missions.

In 2015, Summersides was one of 42 special service veterans (one of 14 Canadians) honoured in Washington DC with the congressional gold medal, the highest honour in the United States.  

Summersides Boulevard from Station Street through to Rice Road will be closed between 1:45 - 3 p.m. during this event.

For more on Jim Summersides: Jim Summersides information sheet.

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For more information, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
PR & Marketing Specialist
905-892-2607 x309
mmacdonald@pelham.ca