The Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Services Association (SAMSSA) welcomed a new president, two new board members and inducted two local businessmen into their respected Hall of Fame at their December 4 annual general meeting.
A crowd representing 110 of the organization's 125 members stood in silence for the commencement of the meeting, out of respect for one of the Hall of Fame recipients, Andre Ruest of B&D Manufacturing, who passed away Nov.19.
“He was a great guy for me, always open to suggestions, I will sadly miss him, and we will honour his life and celebrate him at the end of the presentation today,” said executive director Dick DeStefano.
Ruest's three young sons took the stage to accept the award on their father's behalf at the end of the meeting, sharing emotional stories about their father's personal and professional life.
“My father Andre Ruest was born in 1961, and spent the first nine years of his life in a small northern Ontario town, known as Cartier,” said Christian Dugas-Ruest. “It was there in the small knit community that the love and respect of family, the great outdoors and hockey, began and always remained.”
His sons emphasized his commitment to family, despite the long hours and commitment required by his chosen profession.
“Andre as a leader has inspired many at B&D manufacturing to dream more, learn more and do more,” concluded Mathieu Dugas-Ruest.
As they finished, and accepted the award, the crowd rose as one in a standing ovation for Ruest, and stayed on their feet as friend, and colleague Tom Palangio took to the stage to pay tribute.
“I had the privilege of working with Andre for a while. He was certainly a good friend a long time member of this association. And it's hard to find words at a time like this,” said Palangio. “His hard work, dedication, honesty and fairness in business dealings were an inspiration to all who knew him, and he will be missed.”
Palangio worked with Ruest in the mining, as well as the forestry sector. Palangio was also taking on a new role at the AGM, as the new president of SAMSSA.
The nostalgic, intimate tone continued as the other Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Villgren of Sling-Choker Manufacturing, was introduced by his son. Peter Villgren described his father as a shy young boy who moved from Finland in 1951, and hid under the porch because no one else spoke Finn. He worked his way from paper boy to delivery truck driver before graduating from the Haileybury School of Mines.
DeStefano says the Hall of Fame awards are the highlight of their AGMs. He says they offer important peer recognition and social connection, illustrated by the friendship and camaraderie between the winners, their families and other SAMSSA members on December 4.
Other announcements at the AGM included the addition of Jeff Smith of Manitoulin Transport and Rick Lemieux of Rock-Tech to the board of directors, the launch of a new logo, and a nominal increase in membership fees to the organization. All motions passed without opposition.
