Bert Sears

Herbert Sydney "Bert" Sears (1907 – December 23, 1993) was an English-born politician in Saskatchewan, Canada. He served as mayor of Saskatoon from 1972 to 1976. Sears was born in Kent in 1907. His father emigrated to Saskatoon in 1910 where he ran a fish and chip shop, but at the start of World War I he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On December 25, 1917, Sears and his mother reached Saskatoon where they were later reunited with his father. After completing his schooling, Sears began working at a bakery, where he became a member of a union. Joining the bakery's union was the beginning of his involvement in the labour movements of Saskatoon. In 1927, he married Mary Dubets with whom he had four sons. Sears was employed with Federated Co-op from 1944 until his retirement in 1967; he became regional warehouse manager in 1949. He also served as the second president of the Saskatoon board of the Canadian Congress of Labour. He married his second wife Phyllis after the death of Mary. Sears was a member of Saskatoon city council from 1951 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1971. During his service on the council he was a member of various committees including engineering, parks, planning and board of trade. He succeeded Sidney Buckwold as mayor in which role he served from 1972 to 1976. During his mayorship the ward system of council election was reintroduced in Saskatoon. In recognition of his service to the community he was awarded the centennial medal in 1967. He died at the age of 86 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Sears Bay, Sears Crescent and Sears Place in Arbor Creek and Herbert S. Sears Park in Fairhaven were named in his honour.