Tillsonburg Names Citizen of The Year

Friday, 14 August 2020 at 08:15

Doug Cooper - Tillsonburg's Citizen of The Year (submitted)

The former broadcaster has contributed to several groups and organizations for nearly 20 years, including hockey and golf with the Special Olympics.

TILLSONBURG – Former broadcaster and radio personality Doug Cooper has been awarded this year’s Citizen of the Year award from the Town of Tillsonburg.

Chair of the Town’s Cultural, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee, Collette Takacs say Cooper has made the community a place to call home for many people.

“This award is presented to an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to the Town of Tillsonburg, with no expectation of personal gain. People like Doug make Tillsonburg the kind of town where our youth prosper, seniors are comfortable and families happily grow. Thanks to Doug and others like him, Tillsonburg continues to be a terrific place to call home.”

Mayor Stephen Molnar says Cooper has contributed to different initiatives and organizations.

“Doug has been a tireless volunteer with Special Olympics and Community Living, as well as a number of other organizations. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tillsonburg has become a more inclusive, accessible community because of his ongoing efforts.”

Cooper was the program/operations director at Tillsonburg’s Country107.3 and Easy101.3 radio stations for over 30 years. He also hosted the popular Sunday Morning Memories program until he retired in 2018.

He also spent 17 years coaching baseball, basketball and golf with Special Olympics Tillsonburg, and he currently serves as the president of Community Living Tillsonburg. Cooper also helps advise the local People First advocacy group.

Cooper has been involved with a number of minor hockey teams in the broader community, serving as a coach, trainer and general manager. He has also provided leadership in the scouting movement and was a key organizer of the OPP Torch Run.

He has also had an impact across the province, serving as vice-president and director-at-large for Community Living Ontario later on. He has contributed to several committees, including chairing the conference committee.

Currently, Cooper is the general manager of the PJHL North Middlesex Stars and he manages their website and promotes their hockey program. He’ll be presented with the award at a later date.