Bonnechere Valley Township honoured a life-long community advocate in an unforgettable fashion last Sunday, officially renaming Centennial Park in the heart of the village to Gerald Tracey Park. The ceremony on May 25th, which also happens to be Mr. Tracey’s birthday, hosted over 200 from across the Valley. Seen joining Mr. Tracey for the cake-cutting are his wife, Wanda, and Mayor Jennifer Murphy, who was also celebrating her birthday.

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Eganville – A popular and highly respected community leader known for spearheading many fundraising projects and celebrations was recognized Sunday when Centennial Park was renamed in his honour.

Approximately 200 people gathered for the ceremony that saw the park renamed “Gerald Tracey Park” honouring Leader publisher Gerald Tracey for his many volunteer contributions to the community. The ceremony was emceed by former MPP John Yakabuski, who shared how Mr. Tracey had earned the respect and friendship of many through his many good deeds.

Former Pembroke mayor, Terry McCann, whose family donated the land at Mr. Tracey’s urging for the creation of the park as part of the village’s centennial celebration in 1991, approached Bonnechere Valley (BV) Township council last fall with the idea of renaming Centennial Park in Mr. Tracey’s honour. The request was approved and plans were made to hold the ceremony on Mr. Tracey’s 72nd birthday.

And fittingly, the ceremony was held in the Guy Jamieson Ceilidh Amphitheatre which honours the late Mr. Jamieson, who was part of many committees with Mr. Tracey and also a well-known community volunteer and entertainer.

Mr. Yakabuski said his relationship with Mr. Tracey originated when their late fathers, Paul Yakabuski, and Ambrose Tracey, were close friends back in the 1960s. He acknowledged Mr. Tracey was instrumental in his nomination and subsequent election as MPP for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, a position he recently retired from after 22 years of service.

He said it was great to see so many people out for the celebration, adding he was not going to recount all Mr. Tracey’s contributions over the years because it would simply take too long.

“But what a fantastic record of accomplishment and giving back to the community,” he said.

He recognized how the guest speakers have eye-witness accounts of Mr. Tracey’s commitment and contributions to not only his immediate community, but beyond as well.

“It’s so fitting that here on his 72nd birthday, the municipality of Bonnechere Valley, late, last year, made a tremendous decision to rename this park in Gerald’s honour,” he said.

Mayor Jennifer Murphy said the ceremony not only marked the renaming of the park, but also served as a celebration for someone whose idea of taking it easy is volunteering for only three things at once.

“This rededication, though not our idea, was wholly supported by council,” she explained. “The credit for this idea goes to Terry McCann. Terry and Mary, thank you for recognizing that sometimes the best way to honour community spirit is to put a name on it.”

She stressed Centennial Park was built by volunteers and exists because of the community spirit and the belief in making a perfect place for people to gather, play and connect. She said over the years, Mr. Tracey has worked side-by-side with these volunteers, anxious to make a better Bonnechere Valley.

“There are far too many names to list here today, but please know this, we thank all of you for all that you have done for our community,” she remarked. “This park will carry Gerald Tracey’s name, but it carries your legacy too.”

She described Mr. Tracey as one of the most tireless forces in BV and the county, noting when help is needed, he is the first to assist.

“Usually first, always ready,” she remarked. “Whether it’s organizing community dinners, preserving local history, supporting service clubs, or lending his time to more boards and causes, Gerald has always said yes to his community.”

She said Mr. Tracey never seeks the spotlight, sharing how they had told him the initial meeting with Mr. McCann last fall was about improvements to the park and not its renaming.

“Today, on Gerald’s birthday we get to do something rare and wonderful. We get to honour someone while they’re still actively making a difference, while they’re still showing up, still giving back, and still making a to-do list for tomorrow’s events,” she continued.

“So today we officially say, Gerald, thank you. We thank you for your words, your wit, and your way of reminding us what’s important and who we are as a community. From now on, this space, where kids play, neighbours meet, and stories continue, will bear your name, not because you need the recognition, but because you earned it.”

Mayor Murphy thanked his wife, Wanda, who has worked alongside him in many ventures, and children Brady and Katrina for sharing their dad.

Unanimous Support From McCann Family

Mr. McCann said he was a proud native of Eganville whose family lived on John Street when the train ran through the village and a common well was used to access drinking water. He recalled the day he was taken from school when the church bells tolled announcing the death of his uncle, Sergeant Andy McCann, in World War II.

He shared how 35 years ago, he was approached by a delegation led by Mr. Tracey asking the family to consider donating the land for the creation of Centennial Park.

“I called my nine siblings and there was no debate. There was no discussion. It was a spontaneous yes, yes, yes, nine times,” he said. “We all wanted to say thank you to this wonderful community and to give back what we rightly believed belonged to Eganville.”

He recognized members of his family in attendance, thanking them for their 100 percent approval in renaming of the park. “When this land was conveyed, it was a pasture of debris,” he admitted. “The land is a microcosm and a diminutive factor to what has today contributed to its magnificence.”

He acknowledged the land “came alive” after an enormous amount of volunteer labour and funds being raised.

“Today we walk a bridge and park walk along the way that enhances the spirit and the splendour of the Bonnechere Valley. We marvel at the playgrounds, flower beds, and bandstand named after Guy Jamieson, a favourite son… We can now in the open listen and enjoy our music in the evening. We see cheerful children with their parents, we see visitors, tourists from all over the country. It is also a place of peace and tranquility. It’s a powerful shining light in the heart of the magnificent community.”

“While this park today honours the Eganville story, we honour and recognize an individual who was and is a creation of this history,” he explained. “Gerald Tracey diligently, with skill and numerous volunteer hours, enhanced the legacy of his forefathers.”

“However, it has to be recognized that this Mr. Tracey has many flaws,” he continued, to a round of laughter. “He can be an irritant; he’s an agitator, instigator, a little Irish leprechaun fireball. He can be a thorn in your side. You all know what I mean.”

Mr. McCann pondered how it is that a man with so many flaws is able to do so much good. “These wonderful caring attributes were born out of passion to love your God and love your neighbour,” he continued. “You notice these virtues today in the twinkle of his eye and the shine on his face.”

He encouraged everyone if they have a good friend to hold on tightly with both hands. “Gerald Tracey held Eganville tightly with both of his hands. And on this historic day, his 72nd birthday, with his guardian angel dancing with joy in the heavens above, Eganville and his many friends, are tightly and with love, holding Gerald Tracey in all of their hands.”

Praise For Volunteers

Newly-elected riding MPP Billy Denault seized the opportunity to not only honour Mr. Tracey but to recognize the importance of volunteerism, especially in rural communities.

“Volunteers and community organizations are truly the lifeblood of our community, especially here in the Ottawa Valley. When your volunteer base is healthy, your community is healthy, and we are so fortunate to have some pretty healthy communities right here in our backyard. It’s truly amazing to see what a small group or an individual can accomplish when they are dedicated to serving a purpose greater than ourselves,” he continued.

He acknowledged Mr. Tracey had a long list of accomplishments, adding he has met many true community leaders in his life who take on a challenge, no matter the barrier, with the motto that the answer is “yes, now what’s the question.”

“Gerald Tracey is clearly one of those people,” he remarked.

Fred Blackstein, a mentor for many volunteers in the county, said he was there to unofficially represent the thousands of volunteers who have been guided by, inspired by and helped by Mr. Tracey. He noted how his friend had unabashedly used the Eganville Leader to promote the many projects he and others had been a part of for over 50 years.

He recalled as the former chair of the 1994 International Plowing Match (IPM) committee, Mr. Tracey used the Leader to help the committee convince the IPM panel to allow the event to come to Renfrew County in 1994. It turned out to be the most successful IPM ever held in the province and led to $750,000 being raised which was donated for the creation of the 911 system in the county.

He said he was proud to be one of the many he had nurtured, helped, and supported over the years.

A Grateful Son

Brady Tracey spoke on behalf of the family, sharing his personal memories of what his dad has meant to him. He thanked those in attendance for coming out to support a man who has few rivals, and in his admittedly biased opinion, no equals.

He learned very early on that his parents were blessings to not only them, their granddaughter Lilly, their extended family, but the greater community as well.

He recalled how his parents entered him in the Legion’s public speaking contest each year to help him overcome his shyness, noting they were his little personal audience and cheerleading squad each night as he practiced.

His weekly routine included attending Sunday mass, noting they were the first to leave the building, so his father could hold court outside.

“That was one of my first insights into how my dad’s mind works,” he said.

The conversations focused on what he might be able to assist others with, rather than what they could do to help him. He credited his mom, Wanda, for being a saint, for having the patience to wait on him on those many occasions when he would stop to chat for what they all knew was not just a few minutes.

“Communities only thrive when people are engaged and willing to volunteer,” he said. “I’m not sure if there’s ever been another person who has always had their hand raised for every committee, fundraiser and charitable effort possible. The only thing I find surprising to this day is how he always still seems surprised by the success of all the efforts he has championed,” he added. “His constant advocacy is a benefit to every person around him.”

He recalled the importance of trips he made to Ottawa Senators games with his dad, noting it was not the sport that made the impact, but the fact that they spend hours together driving there and back.

“There’s nothing better than that,” he stated. “He is a gift given to this whole community and I am so proud to be among those celebrating him here today.

“I’ve had a lot of people to look up to over the years, but I am the luckiest person because my biggest hero was there from day one,” he continued. “Happy Birthday, Dad, I love you.”