BANCROFT LIONS CLUB was chartered on September 6,1945 with 49 members. Membership consisted of a large number of prominent local people including doctors, dentist, druggists, ministers, banker, teachers, police officer, village reeve, several businessmen and senior company executives.

One member, Lion Cecil McAlpine remained a member of our club until his passing in 2017, after 71 years of continuous service. He was the last living of the charter members. After completing a tour of operations over Germany as a Flying Officer with the 426 Squadron, he returned to Bancroft in March 1945 and became involved in community affairs.  He was President of the Lions Club in 1949-50 and has been chairman of many committees including the triplet project, the fund raising for the defibulator machine for North Hastings District Hospital, the Community Welfare  and Easters Seals campaign, the latter for 40 years. After discharge from the R.C.A.F., Lion Cecil and brother former Lion Nub,  purchased the Hotel Bancroft and operated it for 30 years.  Lion Cecil became a Social Worker for Hastings County, a position he held for 17 years, retiring in 1987.  Cecil served  as a volunteer member of the Bancroft Fire Department for 25 years, 22 years as Chief.  He was President of the Bancroft and District Chamber of Comerce in centennial year, when the Eagles Nest Park was opened.  He has been active in sports, especially baseball and curling and is a Past President of the latter .  Cecil and wife Fern (who passed away in 2004) were married for 56 years, have five children and eleven grandchildren. The Lions Club honoured him in 1994 with the presentation of  one of the first Melvin Jones Fellowships given by the club and with a Life Membership in Lions International in 2005.

He is sadly missed by the Bancroft Lions Club and Lions Clubs International.