CORNWALL, Ontario – Father Kevin Maloney was named Citizen of the Year at the 31st annual Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
Father Maloney is the 46 person to be named Citizen of the Year in the awards history.
Father Maloney was recognized for his over 40 years of community service, having dedicated his time to supporting organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, the Children’s Treatment Centre and the Cornwall Chapter of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, which he helped to establish.
“I was very surprised, like I said, I thought someone else was going to be honoured tonight,” Father Maloney said. “When I first started years ago, I realized I had the time to do things like be on the board of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. I’ve always been convinced that as a priest we need to be involved in our communities.”
Other award winners of the evening included Tarah Zaczyk of Crush Lane, who won Entrepreneur of the Year.
Teen Alaya Riley a local teen who passed away from cancer in 2018 was recognized with the Above and Beyond award, which was accepted on her behalf by her parents.
Local artist Pierre Giroux was recognized as Team Cornwall Ambassador of the Year.
Andrew Seguin, a local accountant who founded Seguin Financial Services was awarded the Young Professional award.
Barbara Leduc of Mrs. B’s Gifts & Home Decor won Small Business of the Year.
The Laframboise Group, which is building a new facility and office site in Cornwall was awarded Business of the Year.
Business Excellence Awards host the Nav Centre and their annual event the Wonderful World of Whiskey was recognized with the Tourism Excellence Award, which was accepted by the event’s mastermind Ian Bentley.
Laminacorr was recognized with the Economic Impact award.
The Breakthrough Award went to the BMX Racing Track, started by Dan Drouin and TJ Schail.
Lifetime Achievement went to Maurice Emard of Emard Bros. Lumber.
