development. This extremely valuable asset was sold for a song when he believed that the purchaser could promote and develop hydro power quicker than he could and he did not want to stand in the way. St. Joseph's Hospital in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) was established on land donated in the backyard of his homestead. He also provided or arranged all funding for the construction of the hospital. In a show of respect, the only portion of the hospital funded by the Nuns who ran it at the time is the entrance and plaque which still bears his name as of 2007. The heritage homestead was destroyed in 1968 to increase parking space - ironically about the same time as the popular tune about destroying paradise to put up a parking lot. Conmee was able to secure federal funding to support the development of the Port Arthur harbour which played an important role in the later development of the city's economy. Conmee Township west of Thunder Bay was named after him. References External links The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1891 JA Gemmill Conmee Family Pictures 1848 births 1913 deaths Liberal Party of Canada MPs Mayors of Port Arthur, Ontario Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Ontario Ontario Liberal Party MPPs Politicians from Thunder Bay