A memorial tribute to former London mayor, David G. Eades, was entered into the United States Congressional Record. Joe Bengoechea (left), a representative of Congressman Steve Stivers’s office, presented a copy of the tribute to members of the Eades family: daughter, Megan, granddaughter, Brooklyn, and son, Greg.
(Posted Aug. 2, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
A tribute to former London mayor, David G. Eades, is now part of the United States Congressional Record.
At the July 19 London city council meeting, Joe Bengoechea, a representative from U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers’s office, presented a copy of the tribute to the Eades family.
Eades, who served as a council member for 10 years and retired as the city’s longest serving mayor after 24 years, passed away on June 5 at the age of 77.
Stivers read the tribute on the floor of Congress in Washington D.C. on June 7. In it, he noted that London’s population grew by 2,000 people during Eades’s time as mayor, 1992-2015.
“He shepherded a period of tremendous growth for London… and he always fought for what he believed was best for his neighbors,” Stivers stated.
“Known to spar with city council, he pushed for major infrastructure reforms that eased daily life for the citizens of London and helped to secure major grants to improve residential housing in the city. He had big ideas and never shied away from the work that might be required to bring them to fruition.”
The Ohio General Assembly also paid tribute to Eades. Senator Robert Hackett of London and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof expressed their condolences on behalf of their fellow state senators.
“Dave Eades was generous and compassionate, and he demonstrated unimpeachable strength of character,” they stated.
In addition to recognizing Eades’s achievements in public office, the senators made note of his working and social life, including his time as an employee of General Motors and his participation in the Madison County Harness Horseman’s Association and the U.S. Trotting Association.
On Hackett’s behalf, current mayor, Patrick Closser, presented a copy of the Ohio General Assembly’s tribute to the Eades family, at the July 19 council meeting.
Greg Eades, one of David’s sons, thanked everyone who reached out to the family following his father’s death. He noted the many kindnesses shown the day of the funeral. Closser secured permission from the governor’s office to lower flags to half-mast. The fire department displayed a giant flag from its ladder trucks. The police department and Madison County Sheriff’s Office blocked off roads and escorted the funeral procession through town. The procession traveled down Main Street in honor of the streetscape work Eades made possible. Council member Henry Comer spoke at the funeral.
“I think with 24 years of service, he deserved those things, but I don’t think he would have asked for them,” Greg said.
