CORNWALL, Ontario – Truth be told, Brian Snyder would have probably preferred to stay home.
The city police staff sergeant who was named Citizen of the Year Saturday night the at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Award had just been through the emotional ringer the day before.
He and his family had just put down their beloved dog, Winston.
The nine-year-old Bouvier had won a place in the home, and the hearts, of the Snyder family.
“I get emotional talking about it even now,” said Snyder in an interview.
The emotion was palpable Saturday night when Snyder received the award and had to wipe away tears.
“I was going out to get my mind off the passing of the dog,” he said. “My mood was very sombre. It’s probably why I was so emotional.”
In the time since he received the award Snyder has had time to reflect.
“It’s overwhelming,” he said. “I’m very humbled with the whole thing.
“I’m pleased to be recognized, but it’s not the reason why I do what I do.”
What he does is help several notable local charities, including the Special Olympics, among others.
He has a special place in his heart for people like Chico Ouellette and Lynn Chauvin who have helped him with an array of charitable work like golf tournaments, boxing events and torch runs (to mention a few) that have raised tens of thousands of dollars locally.
“They’re such good partners,” said Snyder. “You can’t do what we have done in the community without all this support.”
Snyder wasn’t the only winner at Saturday’s gala.
Other awards included:
Entrepreneur – Robert Prowse, Chesley’s Inn
Ambassador – Tom Everson
Small Business – Kid’s Korner, Kevin and Leslie Ouderkirk
Above and Beyond – Chris Munro, Life’s Little Pleasures
Business – Tri-Star Construction, J. C. Godard
Economic Impact – Evotech Corp.Lifetime Business Achievement – Gerald Lefebvre
Close to 250 of Cornwall’s leading business professionals were guests at glittering black-and-white affair to salute their professional peers.
This year the chamber celebrates its 125th anniversary. The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, established in 1890, is one of Ontario’s oldest business associations with close to 700 members.