2016.85.5
Successor to the Enterprise
LeRoy (Roy) Wilson, a name synonymous with the Post, emerged as a prominent figure with a legacy deeply entwined with his father’s heritage. His journey into the world of publishing began at a young age as he grew up within the innovative business of the Lindsay Post, under the guidance of his father and uncle. Eventually, Roy stepped into the role of publisher with a determination to leave an indelible mark of his own.
Christmas dinner event featuring members of the Lindsay Daily Post. ca. 1964. Starting left to right; Back: unknown, Doreen Bruce, Bea McPhaden, unknown, John Davies, Roger Belwood, unknown. Middle: unknown, Carol Newton, Dawn Archer, Marilyn McCabe Coppins. Front: unknown, Ford Moynes, Roy Wilson, Ethel Bishop.
“He was a credit to the town as far as I’m concerned”
—former employee in regard to Wilson.
Portrait of Leroy Percival Wilson.
The Last Wilson
LeRoy Percival Wilson (1891-1981) was only four years old when his father and uncle purchased the Post as Wilson and Wilson. He aged into the business, assisting with the printing process while a young boy in Port Hope, and decades later transitioned into a leadership role following his father’s retirement. He was described as a private man that was polite and fair to all Post staff; going above and beyond what was expected of him as an employer.
Exterior of the Lindsay Daily Post. ca. 1980s.
“He was a credit to the town as far as I’m concerned. Polite, mannerly, always doing good things for people”
-former employee in regard to Wilson.
Stanley Pitts. The Lindsay Daily Post. October 25, 1968.
Stanley Pitts (Watchman-Warder) often taunted Roy in his columns, though Wilson usually refrained from expressing any controversial opinions in the Post or responding to Pitts’ editorials.
In one situation, Pitts was informed by the Watchman’s pressman that their press had broken down on publishing day and the replacement parts would not arrive in time. A disastrous event for a newspaper. Upon hearing about the equipment, Wilson immediately contacted the Watchman and instructed them to send along a matter of each page to be printed in their office. The paper was released on time the next day.
Even in the competitive world of newspapers, the shared dedication to their craft and the recognition of collective responsibility can lead owners of rival publications to set aside their differences and collaborate in times of crisis, demonstrating a profound mutual respect for the significance of their work in serving the community.
“Roy was like that,”
—commented Ford Moynes, another former editor of the Post.
The Post Church Envelopes, a division of Wilson & Wilson located on Peel Street. Image is from a tribute issue of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. March 7, 1981.
Post Church Envelopes
Wilson also enjoyed the technical aspects of the industry. He was known to take an interest in machines and on one occasion, returned from one of his trips with a piece of equipment used to make church envelopes. Recounted as a “mechanical genius,” Wilson designed a new machine to be used in his business endeavours. He formed a division of Wilson and Wilson in 1933 for the sole purpose of providing envelope services to churches throughout Canada. At the top of the stairs in the printing
office on William Street, “Post Church Envelopes” was directed in-house until it was later relocated to a plant on Peel Street. This venture not only thrived but surprisingly outlasted the newspaper itself. Wilson also upgraded many pieces of the Post’s equipment to increase productivity, keeping a tight control on output and cost efficiency. The mechanical mogul not only upheld the family enterprise, but earned his own place amongst the paper’s trailblazers.
Wilson & Wilson Limited sign. Most likely would have been suspended from the ceiling in the proprietor’s office or the entrance to the Lindsay Post building. ca. 1910s. (2014.21.3)
Death notice of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. March 7, 1981.
“Mr. Wilson didn’t interfere with the editor. But there was never any doubt about who controlled the overall operation.”
Death notice of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. March 7, 1981.
“For example, I tried everything to get the classifieds off page one but I could never convince him.”
Death notice of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. March 7, 1981.
“Whenever I tried to tell Mr. Wilson that page one should be all news, he would always say ‘well if it’s good enough for the papers in Britain, it’s good enough for us.’
Death notice of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. March 7, 1981.
“The thing is, the papers in Britain hadn’t been running classifieds on their front pages for years.”
-Former editor of the Post, Alan Capon, on his interactions with Roy Wilson while working for him.
Alan R. Capon’s Timeline
Learn more about the author, journalist, and historian behind the Lindsay Post camera. Alan Capon (1932-2014) entered the newspaper business while a teen in his home country of Ipswich, England. He would later venture to Canada and maintain a fulfilling career in the industry throughout his life.
Masthead of the Tuesday, October 1, 1935 issue of the Lindsay Daily Post.
The printing of the March 7, 1981 issue of the Lindsay Daily Post. Features the first tribute to Roy P. Wilson following the announcement of his death. (2016.85.5)
End of an Era
Roy P. Wilson died on March 4, 1981. He was found in his home by his office manager, Tommy McConomy. The Post would publish numerous columns dedicated to his memory, including the day of his death. At the time, the paper was publishing six dailies and two weeklies five days a week.
The Post had operated basically the same for the past 43 years. Wilson wanted the institution to remain as consistent to its predecessors’ vision as much as possible. His commitment to preserving the legacy of his family’s success was truly unwavering.
Wilson was intent on preserving the family legacy and wished for his businesses to continue after his death. In his will it was explicitly stated that the estate resume his publishing and printing enterprises under Wilson and Wilson. He endowed a sum of $100,000 to be used for the maintenance of various local parks, including a memorial park for his late wife, as well as a sum of $25,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital.
Original negative from editor Alan Capon’s personal collection from his career with the Post. Photographed on March 17, 1970.
His generosity increased tenfold when considering the impact of the Wilson Estate Fund on the town’s development. The boardwalk along the Scugog River, Wilson Fields, the Old Mill, and practically every local park in Lindsay has been supported by the fund.
Original negative from editor Alan Capon’s personal collection from his career with the Post. Photographed on September 11, 1966.
Roy Wilson’s dedication to the town as newspaper publisher and his contributions to various community projects following his passing have left an indelible impact that continues to uplift and benefit Lindsay’s residents.
Roy’s story is a testament to the power and benevolence in the realm of local journalism and community service.
Death notice of Roy Wilson from the Lindsay Daily Post. He passed away on March 4, 1981, at the age of 91. This was likely a frenzied event for the newspaper, as it was published that day. This column was one of numerous articles dedicated to the Post publisher. March 7, 1981.
