1922 - 2017
Edgar Dunning was part of Optimist family until 100 Icon arrived in Delta as a 12-year-old when newspaper opened in 1922 Edgar Clesson Dunning is a name that will always be synonymous with the Delta Optimist. Born in Elbow, Saskatchewan, on Jan. 7, 1910, Dunning came to Delta as a 12-year-old when his dad, Vincent Dunning, started the Optimist at the invitation of the Delta Board of Trade. Not only was Dunning there at the beginning way back in 1922, but he continued his relationship with the newspaper until passing away in the fall of 2010 at the age of 100. In fact, his last Rambling column, a popular weekly staple of the paper, ran on the day he died. Dunning, who had two younger brothers, Bill and Eric, graduated from King George High School in Ladner. In his younger years, Dunning worked in central B.C. at the Premier Gold Mine before ending up at a newspaper in Prince Rupert. He moved back to Ladner in 1930 to learn the printing business and begin a lengthy career at the Optimist where he served in a variety of capacities. Dunning not only had a long career as a journalist, but he played an important role in the growing community of Delta, founding and supporting a host of organizations.
sshortly after his p passing in 2010. M Mayor Lois Ja Jackson said th those he worked aand spent time w with cherished D Dunning’s jovial, ggood-humoured p personality, and h his personal and intimate knowledge in of Delta’s history o aand ability to sshare it was truly ttouching. ““Edgar’s lifelong dedication to d th the betterment, h heritage and p preservation o of Delta is rremarkable,” Ja Jackson said. D Dunning joined th the B.C. Weekly N Newspapers A Association in 11931 and was its y youngest president. H He also served aas director of the EDGAR DUNNING WAS LOOKING DAPPER AT HIS 100TH Canadian Weekly BIRTHDAY PARTY IN JANUARY OF 2010. DUNNING SERVED Newspapers MANY ROLES AT THE OPTIMIST OVER THE DECADES, Association and INCLUDING COLUMNIST IN HIS LATER YEARS. was chairman of the B.C. Weekly As he grew older and and a wry smile, all matched Newspaper Advertising provided a vital link by a quick wit. Bureau. In 1961 he was to Delta’s past for new “To me, Edgar was just an appointed editor of the generations, he was often absolutely consummate Pacific regional edition of referred to as a “treasure” or gentleman who had an an “icon” and was revered by astounding memory and great CBC Radio’s Neighbourly News, a program that ran for many. Dunning’s razor-sharp talent and commitment to 26 years. memory for historical details his community,” Delta South was accompanied by charm MLA Vicki Huntington said CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 95TH ANNIVERSARY The Delta Optimist
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