The Ontario Senior Achievement Awards recognize people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through voluntary or professional activities after the age of 65. Up to 20 individuals are recognized annually.
Seniors who qualify for this award have contributed to many different fields such as the arts, literature, community service, volunteering, education, environment, fitness, and humanitarian activities.
This year there were 16 recipients of this award including two local residents from Leamington and Windsor.
Joan McSweeney of Leamington served on the Board of Directors of the South Essex Community Council for 12 years. This “one-stop shop” agency provides community services for individuals aged 55+, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, job seekers, employers, children, and youth.
While on the board, Joan worked tirelessly to develop Leamington Hospice, a palliative care to the seniors’ community which has become a centre of excellence for palliative care in the region. Joan has also volunteered to help with the expansion of Journey Home Hospice, Toronto’s only hospice specifically for the homeless community. Joan has also served as a municipal representative on the police services board for the past 21 years.
Larry Duffield of Windsor spent nearly 37 years as a Canadian diplomat with Foreign Affairs and International Trade where he served for 25 years at seven foreign postings. Since moving to Windsor-Essex in 2004, he has served the community by volunteering with the Windsor Seniors Advisory Committee, Canterbury ElderCollege, Glengarry Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels, among others.
Larry has worked to raise awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, with a focus on Indigenous youth. He has also volunteered on approximately a dozen “Election Observation Missions” to Haiti, Pakistan and Ukraine since 2008.
Congratulations to both Joan and Larry on receiving this prestigious provincial award.
Click here to see the full list of recipients.
Image: Government of Ontario