Foundation News
Greatest Cornwallite Memorial New Fixture At Hospital
Visitors to Cornwall Community Hospital’s Minor Treatment Suite can now enjoy a beautiful and lasting tribute to Joe St. Denis - “Greatest Cornwallite Past” as declared by Corus Entertainment. CCH Foundation was honored when they were approached by Scott Armstrong, General Manager of Corus Entertainment, to consider Cornwall Community Hospital as the permanent home for this lasting memorial to Mr. St. Denis.
(Back l-r) Roy Perkins – CCH Foundation Chair, John Bolton – AM 1220, Jeanette Despatie – CCH CEO, Elias Ruest, Jacob Ruest, Jack Ruest, Denis Thibault, Connie Vardy – CCH Foundation Executive Director
(Front l-r) Elaine Thibault, Lindsay Thibault, Eva Ruest, Bonnie Ruest
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A search was conducted last fall by Corus Entertainment through its AM 1220 radio station for the Greatest Cornwallite Past. More than 240 submissions and over half a million votes were cast for St. Denis, the first truant officer in Cornwall in the 1930’s. Also known as Skip or Skipper, Joe was honored for his initiatives in organizing Our Citizens of Tomorrow, a program to engage idle youth in the community. The program soon led to boxing, wrestling, hockey, softball, basketball and baseball teams and would later become the Cornwall Parks and Recreation Department.
Corus Entertainment commissioned local artist Tracy-Lynn Chilsolm to create an original piece of art that would capture the essence of Joe St. Denis. Tracy-Lynn explained as she got to know Joe through is family members, she was struck by the sense that Joe had a big heart and he gave a little of his heart to each person whose life he touched. What remained was a network that connected him to youth throughout the community.
Three generations of Joe’s family were on hand Friday, March 27th for the unveiling of the memorial. They were deeply touched by the painting which will remain at the hospital and by the print that was presented as a personal gift from Tracy-Lynn.
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