Duane Hicks
Well-known for his 49 years of coaching hockey in Fort Frances, Ken “Kenno” Christiansen was honoured Monday evening as the 2012 “Citizen of the Year.”
“This is quite an honour to be ‘Citizen of the Year,” he remarked.
“I would like to thank everybody. I really appreciate it.
“It’s 49 years of fun. I can’t complain about that,” added Christiansen.
“Thank you very, very much.”
Terry Ogden, a long-time coaching associate of Christiansen, said this is “Kenno’s” 49th year as a volunteer hockey coach.
“Forty-nine years of being a positive influence on kids in this community,” he remarked.
“He started when he was 21 and you can do the math for yourselves.
“He’s still going strong because of his love of kids and the game,” added Ogden. “Monetarily, he has not been given … rewards; in fact, I know it cost ‘Kenno’ money to coach hockey.
“I know he left shifts in the mill, I know he left early.
“Thank goodness wealth is not always measured at the bank,” Ogden reasoned. “He has warranted much more than that in friendships and respect from many families, in fact, this whole community.
“And with that, congratulations ‘Kenno’ on being our 2012 Citizen of the Year.”
Linda Hamilton, “Citizen of the Year” for 2008, said “Kenno,” whom she called “a wonderful man,” coached her son, Todd, when he played for the Muskies and now is coaching her grandson, Jack.
Hamilton, who was part of the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee along with Gord McBride and Couns. Andrew Hallikas and Paul Ryan, presented Christiansen with his “Citizen of the Year” plaque at Monday night’s council meeting.
“This is presented with sincere appreciation to Ken Christiansen as ‘Citizen of the Year’ 2012 in recognition of tremendous volunteer services to our community,” Hamilton noted.
“Thanks, Ken.”
On behalf of the community and council, Mayor Roy Avis also thanked “Kenno” for all his hard work over many years.
“I know that all the kids that you’ve coached have all spoken very, very highly of you,” he noted.
“So, thank you very much.”
