SHELTER NAMING — The shelter house at the War Memorial Pool in Toronto on Saturday was officially renamed in memory of James T. Coffey, a longtime member of the Toronto Lions Club and a past international Lions Club president. Numerous members of the community and area Lions Clubs gathered for the event. Participating were, front from left, James Coffey, son; Betty Coffey, wife; and Ellsworth “Pickles” Graham, Toronto Lions Club; and back, Toronto Lions Club members, Fred Burns, Bob Owen, Dick Carter, Art Myers and Don Pritts. -- Mark Law

TORONTO — The Toronto Lions Club on Saturday held a ceremony to name the shelter house at the War Memorial Pool in memory of James T. Coffey, a longtime member of the club and a past international Lions president.

Coffey joined the Toronto Lions Club in 1959 and remained a member for 59 years. He spent many of those years holding international level offices, including international director, vice president and president of the international organization. Coffey died on July 11, 2018, at the age of 82.

Art Myers, Toronto Lions Club member, headed up a committee to honor Coffey. The club in September began brainstorming on how to memorialize Coffey, Myers said. Several ideas were discussed, and Toronto Lions Club member Bob Owen suggested naming the park shelter after Coffey, Myers said.

“It was a very fitting tribute to him. His family had nothing but praise for the idea. It is something to put longevity to his accomplishments. To have him as the international president was a big thing,” Myers said.

Coffey’s wife of 62 years, Betty, said the naming of the shelter after her husband says a lot about what the community thought about him.

“The Lions Club was a big thing for him. The Toronto Lions Club was the best thing for him. They have been very supportive of him in his endeavors. This is really wonderful. It is nice they attached his name to the shelter. He would have been very happy,” she said.

Coffey dedicated a large part of his life to helping others, especially through his work with the Lions Club International, which he led as international president from 1993-94.

Toronto Lions Club member Bob Woodside had said it was a huge honor to hold the office of international president of such a large organization as the Lions Club.

“At the time he became president, there were about 7,500 people in Toronto,” he said. “He became the leader of 40,000 to 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and about 1.5 million members.”

Toronto Lions Club member Fred Burns said even though Coffey went on to become international president, Coffey would always say, “I’m just a Lion from Toronto.”

“Many of us had great respect for him,” Burns said.

During his time as international president, Coffey met with dignitaries from all over the world, including Pope John Paul II in Vatican City and President Bill Clinton in the White House. Coffey and his wife, a fellow Lions club member, visited 110 countries during their years of international Lions Club service.

Toronto Mayor John Parker during the ceremony read a resolution approved by City Council agreeing to the naming of the shelter house in honor of Coffey. The resolution noted the work of Coffey in building the shelter house and Newburg Landing, the city’s marina.

“Toronto City Council extends its sincere appreciation to the late James T. Coffey and all members of the Toronto Lions Club for their work in the community. (Council) recognizes the contributions (Coffey) made to the Toronto community and express their gratitude to his family and fellow Lions Club members for his many years of service to the citizens of Toronto,” the resolution stated.