In late May, I met Albert Fulton for the first time.

Heritage Toronto was working on a plaque to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Gibraltar Lighthouse on the Toronto Islands. We had gone to the Island to meet with those involved in the celebration, including Albert, the Island archivist.

He struck me as a very kind, gentle and quiet man but what was the most evident was his passion for the Islands, his second home. Often when we work on projects we rely not just on research, but those who live and breathe their corner of Toronto. Albert was that man on the Islands, a man we admired for his understanding of its past, present and future. His cottage door on the Islands was regularly open to visitors, who could browse the extensive archives of books and photographs.

This wasn't the first time Heritage Toronto had worked with Albert - he had led walks in his other neighbourhood, Wychwood Park, and we had collaborated on another Island plaque for Babe Ruth's first professional home run. He was always generous with his time.