JASON SETNYK
Claude Poirier has become the first recipient of the Russell “Russ” J. Cadeau Lifetime of Service Award, a newly established provincial honour recognizing exceptional dedication to the Knights of Columbus, the church, and the community.
The award was presented during the Ontario State Convention after delegates unanimously approved the recognition at the 122nd State Convention in Ottawa. The honour is named after Past State Deputy Russell J. Cadeau and is intended to recognize Knights whose lifetime of service reflects the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
Roland Besner, Grand Knight of Ontario Council 755 in Cornwall, said the award is highly significant within the organization.
“We have 45,000 members in Ontario and 420 councils,” Besner said. “Last year, the convention approved a new award to be given out to somebody who’s nominated by the grand knights to win the award for lifetime service, and Claude being the first one this year to get the award was the first one ever to have gotten the award.”
Poirier joined the Knights of Columbus in 1977 after first becoming involved as a Columbian Squire, the organization’s former youth branch, several years earlier.
“I’ve been around this building for well over 54 years,” Poirier said. “I joined as a Columbian Squire. It was a neighbour down the street that was involved and said, ‘Come and join the Squires.’ I got involved there, and I never left.”
Now approaching 55 years connected to the organization, including nearly 50 years as an official member, Poirier has held numerous leadership roles, including seven terms as Grand Knight, four terms as Deputy Grand Knight, and several executive and officer positions. He also served as a conferring officer, helping initiate new members into the order.
Poirier said the Knights of Columbus gave him an opportunity to serve others in meaningful ways.
“It’s a fraternal organization, it’s a Catholic fraternal organization,” he said. “We practise the virtues of charity, unity and fraternity, and obviously patriotism. It’s an opportunity to serve.”
Over the decades, Poirier became known for his volunteer work in the kitchen and for coordinating meals for church events, school programs, charitable causes, and community organizations. According to his nomination, his efforts helped raise more than $1.5 million for organizations in need.
The nomination described Poirier as “the one who arrives early, checks that everything is in place, and makes sure no one is ever left to carry a burden alone.”
His leadership also played a major role in transforming the council’s volunteer program into a coordinated team supporting numerous community initiatives.
Among the projects supported by the council are winter coat programs for children and veterans, pancake breakfasts, church dinners, and fundraising events. Poirier noted that the council’s building allows it to provide space and support for many local groups.
“Because we have a building, our aim is to make it available to the community when needed,” he said.
Poirier said he was aware his name had been submitted for the award but did not know whether he had been selected until the announcement was made during the convention. “It was certainly heartwarming,” he said. “Very happy to receive it.”
The presentation carried additional meaning because the award was presented by Russell Cadeau himself, who attended the convention at age 94. “It was an honour to receive it from Russ Cadeau,” Poirier said. “He was at all the sessions of our annual meeting and still very lucid. He obviously contributed a lot to the order.”
Besner said Poirier’s decades of commitment made him the clear choice for nomination. “In any organization you always hope to honour one of your members,” Besner said. “Claude’s been around here so many years, and he’s number one in our council. He does a lot of work. He’s here probably 60 hours a week cooking.”
Besner added that Poirier was reportedly selected unanimously by the provincial committee reviewing nominations from across Ontario.
Poirier was also honoured locally earlier this year during the council’s volunteer appreciation event, where he received a plaque recognizing his decades of leadership, mentorship, friendship, and devotion to the order.
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