NEWS RELEASE
STEPHEN LEACOCK ASSOCIATES
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The Stephen Leacock Associates are thrilled to announce that John Levesque has been named the next mayor of the charmingly fictitious town of Mariposa, a whimsical setting immortalized in Stephen Leacock’s beloved book, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.
John will serve in this role for the years 2025 and 2026.
John Levesque, an accomplished author with a rich literary portfolio, is no stranger to accolades. His works include the critically acclaimed novels Rosseter’s Memory, Sometime Soon, and Geneva Farewell, as well as two humour collections, Waiting for Aquarius — which won the prestigious Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1993 — and Stranded on the Information Highway. His latest novel, Geneva Farewell, published in 2020, has garnered rave reviews, with fellow Leacock medallist Joseph Kertes praising it as “a brilliant, beautiful book.”
Born and raised in North Bay, Ont., John began his writing career in the 1970s as a reporter, columnist, and editor for the North Bay Nugget. He joined the Hamilton Spectator in 1980, where he spent two decades contributing as a humour columnist and movie critic. Following his return to North Bay in 2000, John dedicated 18 years to Workplace Safety North, where he served as a writer and director of program development until his retirement in 2019. Now, he is diligently working on his upcoming book of humour, Climb Every Montaigne, his first in over two decades.
Beyond his literary pursuits, John enjoys gardening, finding peace among the flowers and weeds. In winter, he embraces the seasonal challenge of snow management while cherishing quality time with his wife, Renee.
As mayor of Mariposa, John Levesque brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and a unique perspective that aligns perfectly with the spirit of Leacock’s timeless stories. The Stephen Leacock Associates look forward to the vibrant ideas and humour he will bring to this fictitious role.
The Leacock Medal is named in memory of Stephen Leacock, humorist, author, economist and lecturer, and is generously sponsored by the Dunkley Charitable Foundation.
More information about the Leacock Medal is available on the Leacock Associates’ website at leacock.ca, on the Leacock Medal Facebook page, and on Twitter @LeacockMedal.
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