It was a surprise night on April 24 for members of the Fergus Lions Club – and more so for Don Doyle, as he was named Centre Wellington’s Citizen of the Year.
Each year, the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce announces its citizen of the year prior to the Awards of Excellence Gala.
Mayor Kelly Linton said, “On behalf of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, I would like to congratulate Don Doyle.”
“I have no idea what to say other than holy mackerel,” said Doyle, who also quipped the announcement almost gave him a heart attack.
One fellow Lions member joked “… let me understand this … you’re tongue-tied?”
Doyle said he was very fortunate to have the time and energy to continue to volunteer, as not everyone who is 82 years old can.
“I enjoy it and it is fun to get out of the house,” he said. “My life is just full of good things.”
He pointed to the accomplishments of the Fergus Lions Club during his involvement over the past 35 years.
“We’ve done a lot of stuff, gotten out of a lot of trouble and had a lot of fun,” he said. “Thank you.”
In his nomination letter for Doyle, Fergus Lions immediate past president Joe Brooks said Doyle has served as a member of the club’s board of directors as well as its president.
Brooks added that since the inception of the Fergus Lions Home and Leisure show Doyle “has taken on a leadership role in promoting and organizing it.” He noted the show is the club’s principal fundraising program, enabling the Lions to provided much-needed funds to community programs and organizations.
Brooks said “when the original service group no longer wished to continue the Cogeco TV Bingo program, Don stepped forward to be the chairperson of the bingo program and served in that capacity as either the chairperson or co-chairperson for over 20 years.”
He explained all proceeds from the Fergus Lions Club TV Bingo program were donated to Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
Doyle also served as the Lions Club’s representative on the board of directors of the Fergus-Elora Senior Trans program in the capacity of treasurer.
The Fergus Santa Claus Parade is organized by representatives of the Fergus Lions, Optimist and Kinsmen clubs. Doyle served as chair of the parade committee for over 30 years.
Sheila Leach, Wellington County Transportation Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, supported Doyle’s nomination.
“I have had the privilege of working with Don Doyle for over seven years now,” she stated.
“He is one of the wonderful volunteer drivers with our ‘Wheels of Hope’ program, which provides rides for people who need assistance getting to their cancer treatments.”
Leach noted, “Don brings his dedication and warmth with him to the benefit of our organization and our clients.
“He has frequently taken calls from me to leave at a moment’s notice because of mix-ups with scheduling or other drivers having car trouble or illness. At these times his calm, pleasant manner always puts everyone at ease.”
She added Doyle also works to find new drivers in areas where they are most needed.
“He also shows his concern for our client’s well-being by letting us know if he thinks there are any issues that need to be addressed, as well as informing us of how past clients are doing.”
Leach said “My life, as well as the lives of our clients, (are) richer for having him in it.”
Fergus Grand Theatre coordinator Eric Goudie commented on Doyle’s volunteerism at the theatre.
“Don began volunteering for us many years ago, for the resident professional summer stock company that ran the building for most of the 1990s and early 2000s,” stated Goudie in his letter of support for Doyle’s nomination.
He explained Doyle quickly became established as a trusted house manager, the person responsible for the safety and happiness of all patrons during a performance.
“Don was always polite, detail-oriented, and followed procedures to the letter, something that none of the other house managers were ever quite able to do so well. Don was also the most impeccably dressed of all house managers, going above and beyond the minimum dress code and working almost every show in a suit and tie.”
After the township assumed operation of the building in 2003, Don remained a house manager, providing a strong and stable presence on many nights over several of the theatre’s most tumultuous years.
Noting Doyle is a tireless advocate of the theatre in the community, Goudie said, “We are just one of the many organizations that have benefitted from his choice to become involved with us.”
Fergus-Elora Rotary Club secretary Bruce McLeish said, “Don Doyle, who is not a Rotary member, was granted a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2014 by the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora.”
McLeish explained “a Paul Harris Fellowship is the highest honour of Rotary, and is normally granted to Rotarians for outstanding service however can be granted to non members.
“It was granted to Mr. Doyle to recognize his outstanding contributions as a volunteer of his services to this community.”
Rev. Father Ken Miskiewicz, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fergus, stated, “Don Doyle has been an active member and volunteer at St. Joseph Church, Fergus, for many years. I have known him for 20 years.”
Doyle sings in the 9am Sunday choir and often in the 5pm Saturday choir.
Doyle also volunteers his time and talent to paint, stain and complete wood repairs at the church on a regular basis.
On behalf of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, general manager Roberta Scarrow also extended congratulations and a token of appreciation.
In later discussion Scarrow said, “Don has earned the honour and was a little bit surprised.”
The award will be officially presented at the Awards of Excellence on May 16.
“We love to support our businesses and people in town,” stated Scarrow.
Traditionally the Citizen of the Year and Youth Citizen of the Year awards are announced in the weeks prior to the Awards of Excellence.
The remaining winners of the various categories will be announced at the awards night on May 15 at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Scarrow estimated about 40 nominations were received among the various categories this year.
She added, “If you think of a wonderful business out there, don’t wait until next March to nominate them. Start writing it down now and get others to rally around the person or business.”
This year’s theme is “hats off to business.” Tickets are available online at www.cwchamber.ca.
