Hay River (Apr 25/05) - Prominent Hay River resident Bob McMeekin has died.

The 66-year-old businessman and former town councillor succumbed to cancer on April 17. Hay River North MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Paul Delorey knew McMeekin for 35 years and called him a "great asset" to the community.

"He was the driving force in anything that he took on," Delorey says.

When McMeekin arrived in Hay River in 1970, he started an Avis Rent-a-Car franchise. In the years before his death, he owned and operated R.A.M. Specialty Advertising.

One of his many passions was his fly-in fishing camp, Rutledge Lake Lodge.

Aside from his business endeavours, McMeekin, who was originally from Ontario, was involved in many aspects of the community.

He once served as president of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, where he helped increase membership to 110 from 33. He was named Hay River's Citizen of the Year for 1975.

McMeekin and his wife, Carolyn, raised five children - Lori, Greg, Cheryl, Jill and Dean, who is the deputy-mayor of Hay River.