PEMBROKE — The Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2017 Lifetime Business Achievement Award recipients as Gerald and Ron Tracey of The Eganville Leader (and the former Cobden Sun). Ron became involved in the business with his father, Ambrose in 1956. Ambrose and his brother, Sylvester, purchased the newspaper in 1944 from Patrick McHugh who published the first edition in June 1902. Ambrose became the sole owner in 1962 and passed away in 1968 from injuries received in a car crash. Gerald entered the business in 1971. The Traceys will mark three-quarters of a century of ownership in 2019. This second generation of The Eganville Leader worked as partners for 36 years before Ron retired in 2007 after 51 years.
Now retired, he enjoys travelling and spending time with his children and grandchildren in Ottawa and Toronto.
Gerald Tracey has been involved in his community as a volunteer since his early 20s. He has been involved with numerous community projects over the years including chairing Eganville’s Centennial Committee and building Centennial Park in 1991. He also served on the board of directors of Mackay Manor Alcohol Recovery Home in Renfrew for nine years, three as board chair.
Currently, he is President of the Eganville and Area Long Term Care Corporation, and was chair of fundraising when Fairfields, a 36-unit non-profit assisted living residence for seniors was built in 2006. He is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Hospice Renfrew, a member of the executive of the Eganville and Area Community Development Group, and currently heading up a campaign to raise $100,000 to build a children’s splash pad in the community this summer.
In addition to his role as publisher of the Eganville Leader, Gerald is also president of River Run Ridge Inc., a land development company involved in residential development and rentals in Eganville.
In 2012 Gerald was the first recipient of the Warden’s Community Service Award presented by then Warden Bob Sweet.
“The Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce is so pleased to recognize Gerald for all he has contributed to business and his community and along with Ron for their tireless commitment to running The Eganville Leader,” said UOVCC Board President Maria Morena Church.
This award recognizes a person or people who have been involved in business for more than 25 years and have demonstrated leadership, vision, a commitment to the prosperity of the Ottawa Valley and have proven to be positive role models for the business community.
The Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 60 years of service to the business community in 2018 and decided that the 60th Anniversary celebration should be combined with the Annual Awards Gala. This year’s event will take place on Saturday April 28th, 2018 at the Rankin Culture & Recreation Centre. Cocktails start at 5:30pm with a 3 course serve meal catered by The Kitchen Eatery & Catering Company starting at 6:30 pm. The Awards Ceremony will follow the meal and will end with dancing. Tickets are $105/person (hst included) for Chamber members and they partners and staff. General Public tickets are $120/person (hst included) You must purchase your tickets before April 6th. Please call the Chamber office at 613-732-1492.
