Service above self. That’s a Rotary club motto that former, long-time member Glenn Fagnan took to heart with his volunteerism in the community.
The Rotary Club of Lloydminster recognized his selfless acts of giving back on Sept. 30 with a ceremony to retire his club badge.
His daughter Brandy and his wife Karen were in attendance.
“This has been an incredibly challenging few months figuring out how to navigate life without Glenn,” said Rotary’s Wendy Plandowski.
Fagnan died suddenly this year in June at the annual Ribfest fundraiser he initiated to benefit the non-profit Border City Connects transportation service he headed as its executive director.
Plandowski told the gathering, she mentioned to Karen recently, if it hadn’t been for Glenn and his mentoring abilities, she likely wouldn’t be a Rotarian.
In addition, she noted that he and two other Rotarians chartered the Border City Rotary in 1999.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to retire the badge of someone who embodied the Rotary spirit to the extent Glenn did,” said Plandowski.
Other Rotarians like Mike Sidoryk spoke highly of Fagnan’s service above the self-code of living.
He noted Fagnan was a long-time member of the Lloydminster club who served as club president in 1996-97. He also served as an assistant governor for Rotary District 5370 for quite a few years.
“His service above self was outstanding. That was the motto he used when he did stuff within the community, within Rotary and all his business,” said Sidoryk.
“His support to Rotary and community was amazing.”
Fagnan was a Rotarian for more than 30 years.
Paul Richer said Fagnan was “philanthropic with his time” and because he belonged to so many social circles, he gave to the community more than most people do.
“He was a real community pillar and did great work,” said Wade Blythe, adding Fagnan was an exceptional fundraiser.
“The big thing was the Border City Connects. I worked with him a lot on that. I think we should name a park after him,” said Blythe.
Tyler Morrissette was quick to praise Fagnan as the “master of volunteering,” at Rotary and in the community.
“If he found a cause he would run it. He was the man who got in just took over and made sure everything ran smoothly whether it was Ribfest or Lobsterfest or anything to that effect,” he said.
This year’s Lobsterfest, which Fagnan helped to run, raised $33,000 for Rotary club service programs.
“He was selling tickets for the (Rotary) Dream Vacation funder and even finding volunteers for Halloween fun night. Whatever it took, he got it done,” said Morrissette.
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