The Mayor’s Honour List was established by the late Mayor Marceil Saddy in 1981 to honour citizens and groups in the community or surrounding area who have been instrumental in improving the quality of life or making a significant contribution to the City of Sarnia and Lambton County. Helen Keller said it best–“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
The list, as always, is a highly personal list, based on my own observations throughout the year in the community, nominations from citizens and media stories.
The list is a tribute to the unsung people and groups in the community who make a difference in trying to create a good and just community and society. It is living proof that individual citizens and groups can make a difference.
A formal reception honouring the 2023 recipients will be held in the Spring.
2023 honourees
Please continue reading for the 2023 honourees.
Bill Abercrombie
Bill Abercrombie stepped away from his role as President of the Sarnia Sting organization after nearly 25 years. Bill began his affiliation with the team on their arrival in 1994 from Newmarket as an Assistant Coach until 1994. He then became Assistant Coach and then Coach of the Sarnia Blast/Legionnaires, leading them to the Western Junior B Championships in 2009. Bill continued his career with the Sting, serving as VP of Hockey Operations and in 2014 becoming President. Sting team owner David Legwand praised Bill for his business and hockey experience, connections and passion for this community which laid the building blocks for the growth of the team. “He has given this team, city and its sports community so much over his career and has positively impacted so many along the way.”
Margaret Capes
A retired lawyer, for many years Ms. Capes has dedicated herself to helping poor and marginalized people. Margaret continues to be a strong advocate for the homeless and those needing shelter and other assistance who are living on the streets of Sarnia.
Janine Day
The year 2023 marked Janine’s second season as Coach of the Lambton Lions Women’s Basketball team. She was named the Ontario Colleges Athletic Associations Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. Janine’s commitment and understanding of the game were major factors in her being given this honour. Janine began playing basketball and coaching at Northern Secondary School. She went on to study kinesiology at York University where she earned her coaching certificate. This year the Lambton Lions won a silver medal at the OCAA Championships. This was the first time the Lions won a top-level medal in women’s basketball. “This award is a reflection of her tireless efforts year-round.”
Dick Felton
During Mr. Felton’s time as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K he has been Club president twice and was instrumental in establishing a Builders Club and an Aktion Club which focusses on improving the lives of children and youth in our community. Mr. Felton is the heart and soul of the Club and works tirelessly to ensure its long-term success. During COVID, to ensure members could keep on meeting, he set up Zoom capabilities and the Club did not miss a single meeting while other clubs were shut down for months. In 2020 Dick volunteered to assume the position of Executive Director of the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre. During the last three years he has dramatically improved the operation of the Centre, through management of the nine tenants who are largely non-profit and focus on children and youth. He has worked with the City to undertake renovations to the building and maintain the adjacent McGibbon Park. The Kiwanis Centre is now at full capacity, numerous upgrades have been made to the building and the rental of the Kiwanis room has increased. He has done all this without being paid. The Golden K is convinced that without his unselfish dedication and commitment the Centre would possibly not have survived.
Marilyn Gifford
Ms. Gifford has worked tirelessly in her goal of collecting 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for local physician residency spaces to assist Lambton County in attracting more family doctors. Marilyn, with the support of Lambton County Council, believes offering residency spaces in Lambton County, particularly for graduates of medical schools outside of Canada, could go a long way to resolving Canada’s doctor shortage.
Ms. Gifford is hoping to see a pilot programme created that would bring medical residency spaces to Lambton County to assist more medical school graduates to become family doctors. She has been praised for her strong grassroots advocacy. It is Ms. Gifford’s belief that “if we raise our voices, and we make our voices heard, we can solve this problem.”
International Symphony Orchestra – Anthony Wing, Executive Director
The International Symphony Orchestra is a unique example of musical efforts between two communities (Sarnia and Port Huron) located in two countries. The orchestra, which celebrated its 65th Anniversary in 2023, is composed of musicians who are also full-time engineers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and homemakers. The orchestra is valuable to the Sarnia Lambton area not just for its music but culturally, educationally, economically, socially, and spiritually. Sarnia-native Anthony Wing became Executive Director of the ISO in 2019. Mr. Wing studied music at McGill University and then political science at Western University in the 1990s.
During the pandemic from 2020 to 2023 Anthony skillfully guided the ISO through these difficult times with the ISO remaining strong. During this time the ISO found a new office location in downtown Sarnia and has become involved with other cultural agencies in Sarnia. The ISO remains the only international symphony in Canada.
Marg Johnson
Mrs. Johnson, a retired child and youth worker, is the organizer/co-ordinator of Kids’ Konnection—a programme offered to help children in grades 1 to 6 make up their reading skills which were interrupted during the pandemic. The church outreach programme matches kids with adult mentors who read for 30 minutes a week during evening sessions at London Road Church. Readings are now offered in French as well following requests from families of French immersion students. Mrs. Johnson noted she is seeing great improvements in the reading skills of students who have participated in the programme with their skills advancing by at least one grade level. Mrs. Johnson has distributed informational material about the programme to 25 churches in the area in the hope others will consider offering it. It is emotional to hear from the students about how much the programme helps them with their reading skills.
Labour Day Parade Organizing Committee
Sarnia’s Annual Labour Day Parade is the longest-running parade in Canada. Arlene Patterson has been taking the lead on the organizing committee, each year seeking volunteers to help with the parade. She co-ordinates numerous planning meetings, assigns tasks to the committee members and recruits additional volunteers to help on the day of the parade. Under Arlene’s guidance “she is the one that makes sure the people are where they need to be–not a small task.”
Larissa Loucks
Larissa decided at age seven she wanted to become an artistic swimmer and from that moment she became a tenacious competitor with a strong work ethic and determination to excel. In 2023, at age 16, Larissa and her team won the Junior Free Team event at the Canadian Artistic Swimming Championship in Calgary. Larissa’s parents, Doug and Corinne, made sure their daughter got to her practice four times a week. In the beginning she was a member of the London Artistic Swimming Club where she was a member of the Provincial team at age 11 and then she went on to Waterloo where she has trained and competed nationally since age 12. Two-time Olympian in artistic swimming, Jacqueline Simoneau, has become Larissa’s mentor and marvels at her resiliency and dedication to 20 hours a week training. A close family friend, Adrienne Arsenault, CBC Chief Correspondent who has covered seven Olympics, describes Larissa as someone who “has the heart of an Olympian but there is no pretense about her. She’s already accomplished more than most of us could dream of, but she doesn’t make a big show about it.”
Heather Martin, John Degroot, Michael John Kooy, Brian Mundt
This group of Sarnians, who are members of the Rotary Club of Sarnia, came together in 2023 to undertake the task in finding locations for and the building of affordable housing in Sarnia. This dedicated group has met with numerous people in the community, the City, County, Province, Federal Governments. It is realized that much more needs to be done but they are ready for the task. In a very short period, they have made many accomplishments—engaged help, support and guidance from numerous people associated with the building of affordable housing; established charitable foundations at Sarnia Community Foundation and Rotary Club of Sarnia Foundation; held fundraising events (Mackinac Breakfast Extravaganza, banana bread bonanza to name just a few) and planning is currently underway for 2024 events. This group is to be admired and recognized for their dedication and perseverance in wanting to see that shelter is provided for those in need.
Harold (Hal) Regnier (Posthumously)
Mr. Regnier, who passed away from a sudden and unexpected illness in February 2023, was involved with many organizations in Sarnia. He was a faithful volunteer and supporter of Canadian Red Cross as a patient driver; Sarnia Humane Society as a dog walker and a former Board member; inpatient support worker with St. Joseph’s Hospice who also participated in a fundraising cycle trip from Fort Myers, Florida to Sarnia; volunteered with the Sarnia phragmites exterminator programme; and assisted each year with the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Programme. For 35 years Hal was an avid cyclist, “going green before it was cool”, cycling to/from work when the weather allowed and was a great promoter of safe cycling in Sarnia. His friends noted there is no doubt Hal would have continued his good work in making Sarnia a great place to live.
Laurie Rome
Laurie has been involved with the Terry Fox Run in Sarnia for over 40 years having been a tireless lead Co-ordinator for the past 14 years. Over the years Laurie has tried numerous and creative ways to fundraise and engage the community—everything from a silent auction, a garage sale, face painting, selling t-shirts and having the Sarnia Sting players participate at the run. She is always willing to try new and fun ideas. Sarnia Lambton has responded generously, and the fundraising is top notch in the Sarnia community. Laurie’s dedication, enthusiasm and encouragement is contagious and an inspiration to the rest of the committee members.
A fellow Committee Member commented that Laurie says she has continued to be involved in the Terry Fox Foundation for ‘selfish reasons.’ She ‘wants a cure found in her children and grandchildren’s’ lifetime.’ Realistically she does it for Terry and everyone because she wants to keep his dream alive—a lifetime without cancer.
Mark Seibutis and COPA Flight 7
Volunteers from the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA Flight 7) for many years now have provided fly pasts for all Remembrance Day Services in Sarnia and surrounding area. The fly pasts are organized by this group who feel it is an honour and privilege to do so. People in attendance at the Remembrance Day services are very grateful that COPA Flight 7 continues to be part of this day with this special tribute.
Don and Laurene Smith
Don and Laurene are very community-minded and generous people who over the years have quietly supported numerous local charities, never wanting recognition for themselves, personally or professionally. An example of the organizations they have supported include Inn of the Good Shepherd, Literacy Lambton, Women’s Interval Home, Habitat for Humanity, Pathways, and Rivercity Vineyard, to name a few.
Whenever there is a call for help or a need in the community, you can be assured they are giving of their time or support to that need.
A friend says of Don and Laurene—“they embody what it is to be kind and good people.”
Murray and Gwen Stephenson
Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are Directors of “Nightlight” an adult drop-in centre located in downtown Sarnia. March of 2023 marked the first anniversary of the centre which welcomes people who are experiencing homelessness, seniors who are lonely, new immigrants to the area and international students. Refreshments, conversation, and the building of relationships are offered at the centre. Demand has been steadily increasing and the centre has expanded their hours to meet that demand. There are 40 volunteers who assist the Stephensons in helping those in need. Mr. Stephenson notes “our mission is to create a safe place for people, a sense of community and belonging.”
Past recipients
Please consult the drop-down menus below for past recipients.
2022 Honourees
Kevin Allen – Sarnia Blessings
Kevin Allen, founder of Sarnia Blessings, worked alongside a group of volunteers to prepare and deliver meals to seniors and others at home who were recovering from surgeries in March 2020 before the pandemic hit. Their efforts grew from there and during the peak of the pandemic were preparing 1,000 meals a week. The location to prepare the meals has moved from a church kitchen to now leasing a vacant restaurant. Meals are prepared in the middle of the week, frozen, and delivered by volunteers each Monday. Mr. Allen has dedicated Sarnia Blessings in memory of his late mother. Mr. Allen noted that Sarnia Blessings is filling a need in the community with great volunteers. “It’s a good feeling to be able to give back to the community.”
Cestar College
Cestar College is one of Canada’s largest private career colleges and has had a long-standing partnership with Lambton College. The partnership, known as Cestar-Lambton College, has benefitted local and international students over the years. Cestar-Lambton College has become an integral part of the Sarnia community through its generosity in supporting the Sarnia-Lambton Oversized Load Corridor, multi-year sponsorship of the Sarnia Sting Major Junior A Hockey Team and various programmes through The Inn of the Good Shepherd. Over the past two summers Cestar-Lambton College has provided funding to support the Inn’s Mobile Market programme which delivers fresh produce weekly in the summer and fall to five Sarnia neighbourhoods and seven county communities along with Aamjiwnaang and Kettle Point. In addition, they have supported the Inn’s “Families Dinner” where 300 people attended; the children’s party attended by 200 children; and the Adopt-A-Family programme with Christmas gifts going to 600 families. A new Christmas programme called “Christmas Breakfast Bags” with 220 families receiving a bag containing all the items to have a hearty traditional Christmas breakfast was well received—all supported by Cestar- Lambton College.
Brian Dewagner and June Partridge
Brian and June co-founded two non-profit sports programmes–Janie Lax, a lacrosse programme, 10 years ago, followed by Janie Puck, a hockey programme, five years later. Over this time 1,000 girls have registered for the programmes. They wanted to provide a sports programme that was both accessible and affordable. In the beginning the programmes operated with a “donate if you can” policy but now there is a small fee charged to cover things such as insurance. The recent donation of portable lacrosse goals and women’s sticks for lacrosse and hockey from the “TD Thanks You Campaign”, as well as a storage unit, will go a long way to carrying on with the programmes. The two programmes have grown to regularly unite groups of 80 to 100 girls aged four to 12 in the spring and fall season.
Kristi Disper
Ms. Disper is the founder of The Fresh Start Project: Sarnia Area. Fresh Start, a non-profit programme launched in 2020 in the Toronto area, assists people moving out of shelters, away from an abusive home or moving into the community from another country to an apartment or house. It relies on the help of community members donating basic household and personal items. This past May Kristi launched the programme on Facebook and quickly attracted almost 500 members offering to help. Donations began coming in and at the end of May the first family in need was secured. Persons go through a list of what they need, and the goal is to have the items collected and delivered to the client’s home within five days. It is hoped the delivery of the gently used items will assist in making their lives easier for the first couple of months. This is the first of its kind in the Sarnia area. Since its inception the programme has grown to 1,300 members, collecting, donating, and distributing thousands of items to many families in the Sarnia area. In addition to the basic programme, Kristi and the FRESH START Programme have organized a number of holiday-themed activities benefitting many families in the region. Kristi also spearheaded the “Socktober” sock collection drive at Sacred Heart School where 785 pairs of socks were presented to Fresh Start families and also donated to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
Crystal Fach
Crystal is co-founder of Diversity Ed, a not-for-profit organization which provides education and the development of community spaces for 2SLGBTQA1+ people. Even when she is “not on the job” she is still looking out for the safety and wellbeing of people in the 2SLGBTQA1+ community. Crystal goes above and beyond the call of duty to try to teach the community and debunk stereotypes and myths, doing all this in a respectful manner. Crystal has been described as an impeccable role model who incorporates the values that we should all have for protecting and creating an inclusive community. “The world needs more Crystal’s.”
Carissa Houle
Ms. Houle is a recipient of the 2021 Women of Excellence Award, presented this past year by the Sarnia Community Foundation, for her dedicated service to organizations like Temple Baptist, the Diabetes Association, the Inn of the Good Shepherd, Habitat for Humanity and World Vision.
Chief Chris Plain
Chief Plain has been a leader building bridges and outreach from his community to others. He was first elected Chief in 2005 and has served in that leadership position except for the term 2016 to 2018 when he served as a Councillor. In September 2022 Chief Plain was acclaimed to another term as Chief. The Aamjiwnaang First Nation has been a leader in social and economic development because of Chris and Council leadership and vision. The City of Sarnia is fortunate to have a strong and ongoing relationship with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, providing services through a number of agreements and compensated by the Band for doing so which strengthens and enhances our relationship. There are many community events and special occasions that are also jointly shared and treasured.
Elvira Popova
Ms. Popova was a recipient of a Sarnia Community Foundation 2021 Women of Excellence Award for her work in mentoring others finding their way in a new country. Originally from Bulgaria Ms. Popova, in addition to her mentoring work, is involved in the community through the Goodwill, Green Drinks, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, Artwalk and the Hub.
Save Ukraine – Sarnia and Lambton County
Save Ukraine – Sarnia & Lambton County is a group of Sarnians who have come together to assist people who have fled Ukraine and looking to start a new life in Sarnia and area. With the assistance of individuals and local churches, they are hoping to bring as many as 100 or more Ukrainians to Sarnia. A number of Sarnians have come forward to be host families. Through generous donations, once they arrive, they are provided with household goods and clothing. Volunteers are helping with arranging English classes, and offering babysitting services while parents search for jobs. The group is making every effort to make the adjustment of a new life easier for the new residents.
Kevin Schofield
Mr. Schofield, a retired Police Officer, won five gold medals in bowling at The World Police & Fire Games held this past year in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In total he has won 28 medals—16 gold, seven silver and five bronze in 11 trips to the Games. He is now a member of the World Police & Fire Games Hall of Fame. The World Police & Fire Games is the world’s second largest multisport event after the Summer Olympics. The Games can draw up to 10,000 competitors from 70 countries in 63 sports and are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel. This year’s Games were Mr. Schofield’s most successful, and he is looking forward to participating in the next Games to be held in Winnipeg in 2023.
Angela Sekeris
Following the passing of her husband a few years ago Angela found it difficult, especially around holidays or on special occasions, and she needed to do something positive. Reflecting back on her husband’s chemo treatments at Bluewater Health Cancer Clinic and his positive outlook, she wanted to honour him in some way. She came up with the idea of “Totes for Hope” a large bag containing personal care items to be used during chemo treatments, along with a warm blanket. This past December Angela surpassed the delivery of 1,000 totes to chemo patients at Bluewater Health. What began as 100 totes in a year then doubled. Each tote also comes with a handwritten note offering an encouraging message. The positive messages Angela receives from patients who have received a tote “puts life into perspective for me.”
Jim and Elly Vergunst
Jim and Elly Vergunst have been called “the epitome of true volunteers.” Over the years they have volunteered their time, energy, and talents to many organizations including spearheading SnowFest, and more recently volunteering countless hours to the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia. They have lent their creative talents to assist with events and have spearheaded rebranding of events. Fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia have been very successful and Jim and Elly played a large role in that success. They are the first to arrive at events for the set up and the last to leave, assisting with any clean-up. They quietly work behind the scenes getting things accomplished.