While working for the Royal Bank in Halifax
in 1946 Clyde Minard met Jean Ramsay from Northam. His love for Jean soon
extended to the Northam and Tyne Valley areas and, from 1959 onward, Kenny
recalls extended summer vacations here.
Upon retiring to Tyne Valley in 1978 Clyde Minard immersed himself so deeply in
his community that when it came time for the Village Council to choose a name
for a new cul-de-sac, the Clyde Minard Way seemed like the perfect choice.
Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar, accompanied by
Kenny Minard and his brother Andrew, unveiled the street sign during a ceremony
in front of the Hubert J. MacNeill Seniors Complex Monday afternoon. During a
reception at the Tyne Valley Firemen’s Club afterwards, Biggar presented the
Minard sons with their own version of the street sign.
Andrew, who lives in Halifax, said the sign will be prominently displayed in his home among his father’s war memorabilia.
Clyde Minard was active as the chair of the Stewart Memorial Hospital Foundation, as well as with the Masonic Lodge, and the Presbyterian Church and cemetery, committing many hours to fundraising for causes dear to his heart.
Foundation chair John Colwill called the street-naming fitting. “The Foundation holds Clyde in very high regard, with great respect,” he said.
“When I heard the name, this might sound silly, but the old saying, ‘where there’s a will there’s a way,’ and Clyde Minard had a way,” said Colwill. “He got things done.”
“Government is pleased to recognize a man who truly exemplifies the Island traits of hard work and community spirit,” said Minister Biggar.
Andrew Minard also picked up on his Dad’s ‘way,’ referring to his daily routine in his retirement years, which included getting the tie on, dropping in to the hospital for a visit, as well as visits to the bank and post office and a stop at Kenny’s dairy bar.
“In his routine, he also did a lot for the hospital,” Andrew commented. He took great pride in replacing the beds, way back when, with electric beds, raising money for the new wing of the hospital, modernizing the hospital.”
Clyde Minard, along with his grandson, Michael, received the Queen’s Jubilee medal in 2002. That same year he was named Tyne Valley Citizen of the Year and his grandson was named the community’s youth of the year. Clyde Minard passed away in 2006 and his wife, Jean, died in 2012.
Until this year the driveway led only to the seniors complex with no clear ownership. In exchange for having the two properties that shared the lane turned over to the province, the provincial government had the street widened and extended, allowing for potential development.
“This is very fitting that he should be a lasting presence on the hill where he lived,” Biggar acknowledged.
“Having a street named after my father, it’s always going to be a draw for me and my family,” Andrew reflected.
