West Lincoln seniors’ fair to feature panel discussion on end-of-life preparations

West Lincoln is pleased to be welcoming a panel of experts to the upcoming Seniors’ Active Living and Information Fair on September 26, to discuss legacy and estate planning, future care and arrangements and how to avoid probate.

Drew Gauthier is a Class One Licensed Funeral Director and Ontario Funeral Services Association Board Member. He owns Merritt Funeral Home and has worked in the funeral industry since 2013.

Christina Cottone is a licensed lawyer with a strong foundation in Canadian and US legal systems. With a cross-border legal background and a passion for clear, accessible legal communication, Christina focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of wills, estate planning and incapacity preparation with confidence and peace of mind. She holds an Honours Bachelor's Degree from Western University, where she majored in English Literature and Criminology and earned her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Buffalo School of Law.

Noah Pontello, CPA, MAcc, will speak about the tax implications on death, returns that need to be filed, information that need to be readily available for executors and ways to prepare for death from a tax perspective.

“End-of-life preparations is an important conversation that will help families plan ahead with clarity, compassion and peace of mind,” says Mayor Cheryl Ganann. “We are grateful to our esteemed speakers for agreeing to share their expertise and for supporting our community in navigating these meaningful life decisions with dignity and care.”

“We know how valuable it is to bring relevant topics forward in a supportive and approachable way,” says Councillor Greg Maychak, the Council representative on the Age Friendly Advisory Committee. “End-of-life planning can be difficult to talk about, but it is truly a gift to ourselves and our loved ones. We deeply appreciate the panel of speakers who will guide this conversation.”

The Seniors’ Active Living and Information Fair will take over the West Lincoln Community Centre on September 26, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. This event is being organized and run by the Township’s Age Friendly Advisory Committee. Find full event details on the Age Friendly webpage.

The Township of West Lincoln and its Age Friendly Advisory Committee acknowledge and thank the Government of Ontario for the funding provided to the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario for the implementation of the 2024 – 2025 Seniors Active Living Fair project.

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