Ernest Starr

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Ernest Henry Starr (born: 1890 Caerphilly, Wales died: November 10, 1981 Vancouver, British Columbia) was a popular muncipal level politician from Alberta, Canada.

[edit] Early life

Ernest served with the Imperial Army, Medical Corps during World War 1914-1918 in Egypt, Salonika and the Dardanelles. After the war he became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Alberta No.1) Branch.

Mr. Starr arrived in Calgary, Alberta in 1920. He founded and for many years operated Starr's Ambulance Service. A similarly named but unrelated service exists today known as Stars Air Ambulance.

Ernest first attempted provincial politics running as a Progressive Labour Party of Alberta candidate in a January 15, 1934 by-election in the Calgary electoral district. He ended up finishing last in the first vote transfer and was eliminated, and lost his nomination deposit.

[edit] Muncipal political career

Ernest began a long career on Calgary City Council in 1940, when he was elected as a city Alderman for the first time. Ernest would serve a total of twenty-one years. on city council between four broken periods from 1941 to 1966.

Ernest made one more attempt at running for provincial politics, running for the Conservative's in Calgary South East electoral district, in the 1963 provincial election. He ended up finishing second to Arthur J. Dixon the Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly.

After his career at city hall he served as a political advisor for popular alderman Sue Higgins.

Mr. Starr was active in the community. He sat on Calgary Board of Education He was also Lions Club of Calgary and a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Ernest later moved to Vancouver and passed away on November 10, 1981 at the age of 91.

Ernest had a hockey arena in Calgary named in his honor, the Ernie Starr arena located in the community of Forest Lawn.