With meals, jokes, and even tears, town employees, volunteers, and councillors were thanked for their contributions over the past year at town’s annual dinner Friday night.
“This evening, at this gathering, we always recognize the people who make the team and I’ll be the first to realize that there’s no ‘I’ in team,” said Mayor Glenn Witherspoon, who presided over the evening’s presentations.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Citizen of the Year to Bill Gushulak, who gave an emotional speech after receiving the award.
“I think Mark Kowalchuk sums it up in saying, ‘I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of this award than Bill. If there is indeed one who is more deserving, then that person would surely have to be a remarkable person and contributor to his community,” read out John McTaggart, a member of the Citizen of the Year committee.
With his renowned sense of humour, Gushulak thanked the town for the award and, a little teary-eyed, thanked his wife for her support along the way.
“I learned on my wedding night that I must write down what I want to say,” he began. “There have been some great individuals who have received this award over the last few years and I am proud to be among them.
“It also makes me feel good that all these nice things were said to me and it’s not even in an obituary,” added Gushulak, a former funeral director and now owner of Fort Frances General Supply.
As previously reported in the Times, Gushulak was instrumental in helping stage the FFHS Millennium Reunion earlier this year, among his long list of community achievements, including current president of the Fort Frances Curling Club.
Five retirees also were recognized, including:
•Ralph Fulford, who retired from the fire department after 25 years of service;
•Charlie Turgeon, who retired from the fire department after 34 years of service;
•Milt Strachan Jr., who retired from Public Works after 24 years;
•Reg Wreggitt, who retired from Public Works after 30 years; and
•Marcel Caron, who retired from Public Works after 24 years.
Coun. Bill Martin also received a gift and praise from Mayor Witherspoon and other councillors for his time on council over the past two terms.
“Bill, you were an excellent contributor to council and we thank you very much,” the mayor said.
Several members of town boards and committees were honoured at the dinner for having served the maximum nine years.