Marsden named Tillsonburg's Ontario Senior of the Year
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Robert Marsden was recognized as Tillsonburg’s 2013 Ontario senior of the year award recipient in a ceremony at the Town Council meeting Monday.
Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessif presented Marsden with a certificate and spoke of his hard work and his dedication to the community over the years.
“Tonight Mr. Marsden is being recognized by the community for his significant contributions in Tillsonburg,” said Lessif.
The Ontario Senior of the Year Award was established in 1994 and gives special recognition for outstanding accomplishments. The annual award provides municipalities across the province with an opportunity to honour one outstanding local senior. Recipients are aged 65 and over who have enriched the social, cultural or civic life of the community.
“Mr. Marsden’s nomination letter highlighted his motivation to help others, his willingness to take on responsibilities and demonstrates enthusiasm in everything he does,” added Lessif. “He has enriched the community beyond measure and the town would like to thank Mr. Marsden for all of his service to the community over the years.”
Marsden has played an active role and been involved in many parts of the community. He has been a long-standing member of the Tillsonburg Rotary Club for over 35 years, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, currently serves on the Tillsonburg Cemetery and Heritage Advisory Committee, the Annandale Museum Advisory Committee, the Tillsonburg Historical Society, and the Pioneer Cemetery Committee.
In addition, Marsden has also previously sat on the Tillsonburg Library Board, the Tillsonburg Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Cultural Advisory Committee.
Marsden said he was thrilled but humbled to receive such an award.
“I believe that you only get out of life what you put into it,” said Marsden. “I really like people and I like this town.
“Being a senior is different in my opinion. If you go to the Senior Centre, it’s full of people all the time playing cards or playing shuffle board – so seniors in Tillsonburg are really active. If you look at Hickory Hills or Baldwin Place, you see all these seniors out walking every day.”
Moving here in 1969, he completed his career as a local high school teacher and grew to the love the town and its people raising a family in Tillsonburg.
“I’d like to really thank the town for this award, I appreciate it greatly and I’m humbled by it,” said Marsden. “And as long as I can, I will still try to contribute to the town.”