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Updated: Kiwanis names the 2015 Citizen of the Year

David Richardson accepts the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of his father, John E. Richardson. The Kiwanis Club of Nipissing has announced that John E. Richardson is the 2015 Citizen of the Year.

David Richardson accepts the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of his father, John E. Richardson.

The Kiwanis Club of Nipissing has announced that John E. Richardson is the 2015 Citizen of the Year.

Club President Timothy Hutchison, made the announcement Thursday at the Legion Branch 23. Hutchison said it is the first time in the award's 30-year history to be given out posthumously. Mr. Richardson passed away December 3rd. David Richardson and Cathie Richardson were there to accept the tribute to their father.

In the past, the Kiwanis Club tried to give Richardson the award but as North Bay Mayor Al McDonald explains, Richardson was not looking for recognition.  In fact, he said no to the award three times.

“I chaired the committee so I approached John as his best friend. He said there were so many others who had done so much more. He would step in the background to let others take the credit.”

McDonald told Richardson’s friends and family that he once played 6 hours of Patsy Cline for John Richardson at a backyard barbeque. McDonald called John Richardson his mentor. “He was a community builder. He loved our city, starting the Waterfront Park Bench Project and taking the lead in saving our ski hill.”

Brian Tayler, the manager of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority, which also oversees the Laurentian Ski Hill, credits John Richardson with donating his time to write a business plan to purchase the hill in 1997. “He not only contributed to the ski hill but also to the trails on the hill. We are very proud to have one of our trails named Richardson Ridge.”

Ralph Celentano, Brian Tayler, Jeff Serran, David Richardson, Timothy Hutchison, Cathie Richardson, Mayor Al McDonald, Ralph Deigel, and Laughlin McLauchlin gather together to celebrate John Richardson.  Photo supplied by The Kiwanis Club of Nipissing 

Ralph Celentano says John Richardson was a true Kiwanian who wanted to reinvent the ski hill into a multipurpose four season tourism initiative.  "Alpine skiing and John go together. He was also creative elsewhere in the community. He was always coming up with new ideas for the beautification of the city.”

David Richardson said his father was involved in the Kiwanis Club as the president in 1967.

“Dad had such a love for North Bay. He introduced the Nancy Green Ski League to North Bay, brought in quality coaching and took on leadership in Alpine Ontario. If you look at the success of North Bay’s ski racing and my father’s time in ski racing, you will find a strong correlation. Dad’s key to success is hard work, being adaptable to your surroundings and embracing change.”

Cathie Richardson spoke of her father’s love for volunteering. “He thought of moving forward and being part of the solution.”

The banquet to be held in honour of John Richardson will take place at the Clarion Resort May 28th. Tickets are available through the Chamber of Commerce and Mayne Travel.  


KA Smith

About the Author: KA Smith

Kelly Anne Smith was born in North Bay but wasn’t a resident until she was thirty. Ms.Smith attended Broadcast Journalism at Canadore College and earned a History degree at Nipissing University.
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