Township Mayor Jennifer Murphy and Mr. Tracey took the opportunity to announce his latest fundraising project to purchase and install about 40 freestanding solar-powered lights to be placed along Water Street on the south side of the Bonnechere River and in McRae Park, on the north side of the river at the site of the former United Cooperatives of Ontario (CO-OP) and old grist building.

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Eganville – An Eganville native who was recognized Sunday for his longtime volunteer efforts in the community and beyond, through the renaming of Centennial Park, expressed his gratitude to his family, friends, and the greater community for helping him accomplish everything he’s ever been honoured for.

And at the same event, he announced the latest community project he is spearheading which involves the lighting of Water Street along the Bonnechere River, and McRae Park. Gerald Tracey had the final comments during the ceremony which saw the park renamed Gerald Tracey Park, and he quickly deflected the praise earlier speakers had heaped on him.

“I don’t know what all these fine people are talking about, but I’m flabbergasted,” he said. “I’m almost at a loss for words.”

He recalled how the park was his playground when he was growing up on John Street, where he learned to smoke “on cigarettes borrowed from E.A. Lisk’s IGA,” where he learned to play with matches and set the long grass on fire “that always created a little bit of excitement in downtown Eganville,” and how he and the late Steve McCann would “light their barn” with a secret code which he allegedly assisted them with for their homework.

“This street, John Street, has been our family home since 1946 and other than the McCanns and the Traceys the only other family that is still on the street today is the Houlihan house which survived two major fires in 2019 and last year,” he said.

He believes his volunteer spirit was instilled in him as a young boy, noting like his late father who sang at weddings and funerals and his mother who welcomed everyone into the home, and although there was no excess, she always found something to treat visitors with when they arrived unexpectedly.

He noted when he was invited to the council meeting last fall by Mr. McCann, he was led to believe it was about upgrades to the park.

“But when the real reason was revealed I was left speechless,” he admitted. “I felt embarrassed, humbled and honoured.”

He chronicled how he was part of a committee that included members of the Rotary Club, the Legion, the Kinsmen Club, the Horticultural Society and the Village of Eganville that were part of the huge volunteer effort to have the park opened for the 1991 centennial celebrations.

He noted 35,000 to 40,000 people descended on the village for the six-day celebration, where some complained there was just too much to see.

“The celebrations united the community like never before,” he said, marking an end to the divisions that existed in the late 1800s.

Mr. Tracey said the secret to pulling off a successful project is simple: surround yourself with like-minded, positive-thinking and committed people.

“It can’t be done is not in my vocabulary,” he shared.

He noted his volunteerism was only made possible by having a patient and supportive wife, an understanding family and a dedicated team at the Leader.

“To all of you, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your patience and support in these endeavours.”

“No one gets paid for volunteering, but the rewards are many and they keep coming.”

He noted the park was filled with volunteers and while he was warned not to get into naming people because there are so many who have done so much, he recognized Brian Weckworth, a recent and most deserving recipient of the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship, for his community volunteerism. He also singled out one other person who has worked on several projects with him, former mayor, Zig Mintha.

“I’m saddened that people like Preston O’Grady, Guy Jamieson and Steve Agnew aren’t with us today. If they were, they would be here.”

When once asked why he volunteered, he replied, “If I can’t leave this world a better place when I die, what was the purpose of my being here?”

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give and do,” he concluded.

New Project

Perhaps to no one’s surprise, the ceremony ended with Mr. Tracey announcing the launch of a new project for the community.

“Today, with the approval and support of council, we are announcing the Water Street and McRae Park Lighting Project.”

He explained Water Street runs along the south shore of the river, and McRae Park is another little gem just a few hundred feet downstream on the original site of the McRae grist mill.

“The plan is to erect solar lights on sturdy metal posts, illuminating the now dark street, and also the park,” he explained with sponsorship of each light set at $3,000.

“A committee will be working with council over the next few months to create a plan to turn the ¼ km along Water Street into a Volunteer Avenue, a place where people who have and who give of their time and support will be recognized,” he said.

As a final act, and owing to the fact the original park was never formally blessed on site 34 years ago, he asked Pastor Ralph Weigold, from Grace Lutheran Church, and former St. James pastors Fr. John Lacey of Renfrew and Fr. Réal Ouellette to preside over a blessing.

“This is a day I will long cherish,” he stated. “Again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a role.”