Fagnan awarded Kings Coronation Medal

The late Glenn Fagnan was remembered as a big-hearted, caring, never-give-up soul during the Feb. 3 Rotary Club of Lloydminster meeting.

As a Rotarian for over 30 years, it was fitting the presentation be given at the meeting.

Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA, Garth Rowswell, was allotted one King’s Coronation Medal for any of his constituents.

“I knew Glenn through the Rotary … I knew what kind of a volunteer he was here, and how giving he was as an individual,” said Rowswell to an almost full house.

“It was right around his funeral when we were trying to figure out who to give it to. I was there … when you learn about how much stuff he did for other people that you never heard about, that he wouldn’t brag about it, he would just do it.”

The process started last July with Fagnan meeting all the criteria. Aaron Buckingham was recruited to speak with the family and help work out all of the details. He says Fagnan was a large part of why he is who he is today.

“For me, I’m the living, breathing example of Glenn Fagnan,” said Buckingham. “Without Glenn, I wouldn’t be any of the things I have been, any of the things that I am.”

Buckingham said Fagnan took him under his wing as a young man in Lloydminster. Their bond grew through various boards, groups and even council over three decades. He considers Karen Fagnan (Glenn’s wife) and Brandy (his daughter) family.

“You look at the bricks and mortar and the different things Glenn has touched over the years, and there’s hardly one that isn’t touched by Glenn’s hand,” said Buckingham. “No matter what you asked of Glenn, you got it, no matter what it was.” 

Mayor Gerald Aalbers recounted a time when he went to ask Fagnan to be his campaign manager only to find out he was instead running for council. He also spoke of the many times they travelled together as members of the community for various things. He then spoke about his time helping with Border City Connects.

“(You) couldn’t find a better guy to raise money, and how he was able to leverage people, encourage them, and downright just dare them to do things,” recounted Aalbers.

“Not many people get me into ice water, but Glenn did it twice, I believe, or three times, to raise money, to ensure we had fuel and tires at Border City Connects,” said Aalbers, recounting a polar plunge, or two.

The medal was presented to the family members at the end of all the speeches. The family, grateful for the medal, had a few words about what it meant.

“We are honored to have Glenn be chosen for this award, it’s a great honor,” said the Fagnan family after the ceremony.

The award is one of only 30,000 given to Canadians from coast to coast. Everyone in attendance believed Fagnan was a well deserved recipient.

Read More: City honours life of Counc. Fagnan – Meridian Source

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Dan Gray
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