Obituary Leslie Hermiston

Leslie (Les) Hermiston, a prospector who like many others cut his teeth on silver during the heyday of Ontario’s Cobalt camp, has died at the age of 85.

Mr Hermiston, a native of Cobalt, died at the home of a son, David, in Grass Valley, Calif. The senior Hermiston had remained active in mineral exploration almost up to the time of his death, pursuing gold prospects in northwestern Ontario.

D. Grant Sirola, a Toronto consulting engineer and acquaintance of Mr Hermiston, says the latter made a “major contribution” in the Cobalt area. “He was greatly respected in the industry,” Mr Sirola said.

A special graveside memorial service will be held at the Mount Pleasant cemetery in Haileybury, at 2.30 p.m. on Sept 13.

Besides his son, Mr Hermiston is survived by his wife, Wilma, five grandsons, and five great grandchildren.