James E. Marker, inventor of Cheezies, dies in Belleville, Ont., at age 90

BELLEVILLE, Ont. – The man who invented Cheezies has died.

James E. Marker died at home in Belleville, Ont., on Tuesday night at age 90.

Marker was vice-president of W.T. Hawkins Ltd., the makers of the Cheezies snack.

Tony McGarvey, the company’s director of finance, says Marker invented Cheezies and was still active in his role as vice-president when he died.

Marker was also a longtime Rotarian and owner of the Belleville Airport.

Hawkins Cheezies are still made at the Belleville plant. (CJBQ, The Canadian Press)