Why I miss Canada

Wiarton Willie dies
Toronto Star

Flags in Wiarton are flying at half-mast today, mourning the town’s most famous citizen.
Wiarton Willie, the weather-predicting groundhog, was taken off life support and died in his sleep.

Every Feb. 2, the albino rodent would emerge from his burrow and predict the coming of spring.

“You get very attached, he’s like a family pet, a community pet,” said Donna Elliott, the economic development officer for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

Willie had been suffering from an infection for the past month, but he rallied a few weeks ago to appear in a television special, giving hope to the town’s residents.

The groundhog held the position of Wiarton’s weather predictor for the past seven years. He was donated to the town after an Ottawa resident found him on the side of Highway 417.

With the summer tourist season beginning, about 80 people visit Willie each day.

Condolences have been received from around the country Elliot said.

Willie will be cremated and his ashes interred in a shrine next to a statue of his likeness.

A memorial service will be held at the site July 17.

Willie’s predecessor died in a cloud of controversy when his handlers attempted to cover up his death and replace him surreptitiously in a scandal that became known as Williegate.

With a file from Canadian Press