Glenn Mitchell spent much of his youth playing baseball, football and road hockey at picturesque Lakeview Park.
His love of the game will be celebrated with the installation of a memorial bench at Diamond 1. Garry Schmidt of All Saints Anglican Church will officiate the ceremony Saturday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.
The public is invited to remember the former managing editor of The Morning Star. He spent 30 years with the once tri-weekly newspaper until his death one week before Christmas 2020. He was 60.
The bench, including a plaque, is situated right behind the bleachers, where Glenn鈥檚 family would cheer him on in Little League.
鈥淚t鈥檚 only fitting,鈥� said Glenn鈥檚 older brother Kevin. 鈥淏oth Glenn and I pitched in Little League and especially loved throwing strikes at Diamond 1. One of Glenn鈥檚 teachers at Silver Star Elementary was Darlene Wurz and she would shout: 鈥榃ay to Pitch Mitch鈥� as she watched her sons and Glenn play baseball.鈥�
There were other suggestions for the placement of the bench, but Parks and Public Spaces manager Stacey Schultz found the gem of a spot.
鈥淥ur installer has recommended behind home plate,鈥� said Schultz. 鈥淚 agree this a very nice spot as this location has a spectacular view of the entire park.鈥�
Tom Skinner, who had hundreds of wonderful wildlife photos published with Glenn鈥檚 approval, jumpstarted a five-day fundraising campaign in Glenn鈥檚 name shortly after Glenn鈥檚 death. The money raised will pay for the bench.
Glenn left behind his adoring parents Lloyd and Marion, loving wife Rhoda and sons Justin and Lucas, brothers Kevin, Murray and Craig and numerous great nieces, nieces and nephews.
Glenn was blessed with countless loyal friends, many still from high school and a close-knit group of co-workers. He was well-known throughout Vernon, as evident by the 1,200-plus likes and comments on a Facebook post by Kevin, announcing his death in 2020.
