Three individuals have been awarded the 2022 Order of Moncton: Reverend Canon Chris VanBuskirk, Krista Richard and Édouard (Eddie) St. Pierre.
“Our city benefits every day from the passion, commitment, and dedication of its residents, people like Ms. Richard, Mr. St. Pierre, and Rev. VanBuskirk,” says Mayor Dawn Arnold.
“The Order of Moncton is awarded to the most exceptional of our outstanding community members and we are proud to recognize these three extraordinary citizens with the highest honour the City can bestow.”
Recipients of the Order of Moncton will receive a medal, a pin, and a certificate of honour at the formal induction ceremony at Moncton City Hall on October 19 and a public reception will take place at 8 p.m.
The selection committee, comprised of elected municipal officials, three residents of Moncton, and a representative of the City of Moncton administration, considered several nominations before selecting the 2022 inductees.
Krista Richard
Krista Richard is a powerful advocate for young people and their well-being, she has dedicated her life to ensuring that children in Moncton are supported and cared for through access to sports, equipment and associated activities regardless of their social standing or ability to pay.
An outstanding athlete in her own right, having represented Moncton in many provincial, national and international softball competitions, Richard was an elite competitor who played at the highest levels, but it is as an educator and coach that she has most distinguished herself in our community.
Richard was a dynamic teacher who consistently went above and beyond the call of duty by establishing a multitude of programs aimed at encouraging healthy living and exercise. Such programs as “Kids in Action” (early morning) and “Trotting Tigers” (recess) Intramural Games at lunchtime and Gym Activities for everyone after school were her hallmark and created opportunities throughout every day for exercise and movement.
Richard created a “Bikes and Trikes for Tigers” project at her school, ensuring that every Forest Glen student who wanted or needed a bike could get one. This program is currently in its 10th year and has been extended to include all children.
For these and many other wonderful initiatives Richard received the most prestigious award available to her profession in Canada: the 2015 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Édouard (Eddie) St. Pierre
Eddie St. Pierre aka The Saint made contributions to the community spanning three careers, starting as a superb athlete. A centre fielder in baseball, he helped make winners of a string of local midget and juvenile teams before moving on to four straight NB Championships with the Lewisville Junior Keefe Cubs between 1951 and 1954, as well as two all-Maritime titles, among others.
He eventually began a career as a reporter in the Moncton Times sports department and by 1956 was already its editor.
St. Pierre no doubt inspired many young would-be reporters in the ensuing years. From his popular “Once Over Lightly” column to his many dealings with local sports stars such as Yvon Durelle, to international names like Wayne Gretzky, Bobbie Orr and Jean Beliveau, he entertained and informed his readers. He played cribbage with Gordie Howe, walked the beach with Boom Boom Geoffrion and befriended fellows like Louis Robichaud and Frank McKenna.
In his third career, St. Pierre became a community humanitarian as a prominent volunteer for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, organizing fundraising sports events, performing public relations duties, and recruiting other volunteers. He worked with Moncton Headstart, the CNIB, the Greater Moncton Down Syndrome Society, the Special Olympics as well as the Tim Hortons’ All-Star hockey tournaments and more.
He is a friend to the homeless and regularly visits seniors’ residences and local hospitals.
Reverend Canon Chris VanBuskirk
In his role as the leader of Saint George’s Anglican Church in Moncton, the Reverend Canon Chris VanBuskirk has led an almost overwhelming array of initiatives aimed at those Monctonians that need it most.
Affectionately known as Father Chris by his parishioners, he began the practice of serving Sunday dinners to those in need more than two decades ago. In the spring of 2021, he began a six day per week breakfast program; the church now serves more than 1,000 meals per month and offers shower and laundry services to those who need them. In addition to this he has provided counsel, fresh clothing and financial assistance as needed.
In the winter of 2022, an emergency warming centre for more than 50 individuals was established at the church when capacity at other shelters was reached. Father Chris led a group of volunteers along with the team from ReConnect to provide a 7 day a week space until alternate services could be provided.
Father Chris provides training at Tantramar Seniors’ College on the subject of social and human rights with a goal to improve understanding of systems in place in communities on these matters. He also spends many hours each week in support of seniors through visitation at community nursing homes and seniors’ residences as well as assisting patients and their families at the Moncton and Georges Dumont Hospitals.
In addition to all of these initiatives, Father VanBuskirk serves the military as a Chaplain through the 8th Brigade stationed in Moncton and has previously served his country in Iraq at the International Military Base in Kuwait.
(Photos supplied by the City of Moncton)
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