Medal of Merit

Medal of Merit

Nominations may be submitted by any person and shall be received by the City Clerk until the 15th day of November of any year. The Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit may be awarded to an individual or group whose contributions or achievements, in any field, have benefitted or had a positive impact on the community or beyond. 

The Mayor’s Medal of Merit Selection Committee is composed of five members as follows:

  • The Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, who shall be the Chair of the Committee;
  • Four members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and selected based on one each of: a business or professional person; a representative of labour; a member of the judiciary; and a citizen at large.
  • The City Clerk of the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie shall act as staff resource to the Committee.

The members of the Committee shall serve either at the pleasure of the Mayor or for the term of Council.  

The Mayor’s Medal of Merit Selection Committee publicly announces the recipient(s) on the last day of each year.

About the Medal

First presented in 1972, the Medal of Merit is an award given to a person or a group from Sault Ste. Marie in recognition of outstanding achievement or contribution to the community.

The sterling silver medal, circular in design, has the City coat of arms embossed on the face. The band encircling the coat of arms is inscribed “Medal of Merit, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario”. The ribbon with clasp is attached to the medal with a silver bar.

The three colours depicted in the ribbon, gold, blue and grey, are intended to project the image of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as a flourishing and prosperous city. The gold band is symbolic of the Civic Centre, which is a landmark on the seaway, and the centre of local government in the area. The blue band represents the water or seaway upon the banks of which Sault Ste. Marie is situated and is the reason for its existence. The grey band represents industry, and in particular steel, which is our foundation and strength.

Medal of Merit Nomination Form

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Nominee Address
Individual or group whose contributions or achievements in any field have benefited or had a positive impact on the community or beyond, i.e. championships or top honours in athletic, cultural, or academic pursuits, or making remarkable contributions or accomplishments that bring benefit or positive impact to the community and beyond. Provide details:
Nominations must include:
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    2025

    • Clyde Healey
    • Morley Torgov
    • Gary Trembinski (Posthumously)

    2024

    • Connie Raynor-Elliott

    2023

    • Dr. Chelene Christine Hanes
    • David Orazietti

    2022

    • Dr. Gary Sibbald

    2021

    • Barbara Nolan

    2020

    • The Honourable Ray Stortini
    • Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre

    2019

    • Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Lance Knox

    2018

    • Steve Butland

    2017

    • Michael Burtch

    2016

    • Ella Jean Richter

    2015

    • Tony Martin

    2014

    • Aidan Bass
    • Don Mitchell
    • Chris Rous
    • Sherri Smith
    • Marcoux Brothers
    • Team Jacobs

    2013

    • Dr. Gayle Broad
    • John Carlson
    • Sandra Houston

    2012

    • Jeff Giovanatti
    • Victoria Jones
    • Larry Whalen

    2011

    • Zaafina Naqvi
    • Michael Sanzosti
    • Guy and Susan Traficante

    2010

    • Tony Celli
    • Northland Barbershop Chorus

    2009

    • Monsignor Bernard Burns
    • Harry Houston
    • The Comedics

    2008

    • Patti Gardi
    • Dennis O’Reilly
    • Celia Ross
    • Don Watson

    2007

    • Sault Steelers Football Team

    2006

    • The Hollingsworth Family
    • Diane Marshall
    • Denis Turcotte

    2005

    • Marie Long and Elgin Long
    • Dr. John Kenneth Mohamed
    • St. Basil’s Saints Senior Girls’ Basketball Team
    • Jean Wyatt

    2004

    • Stan Black
    • Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
    • Dr. Louis B. Lukenda
    • Catherine Shunock
    • Dr. David Walde

    2003

    • Ken Lajambe
    • Gerry McGuire
    • St. Mary’s Knights Football Team 2002/03

    2002

    • Howard Tishman
    • Kathleen Brosemer
    • O.E. (Jack) Lay and Lucy Lay

    2001

    • Jennifer Fratesi
    • Larry Guerriero
    • Jack Purvis

    2000

    • Jessica Tuomela
    • Sault Ste. Marie Wildcats Senior “A” Women’s Hockey Team

    1999

    • Kathy Contini
    • Frank Gardi
    • Ron Irwin
    • Benjamin Smith

    1998

    • Dr. David Johnston
    • Larry Knapp
    • 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment, Canada, RCA

    1997

    • Grace Beith
    • Rick Francis
    • Frank Sarlo
    • Sharon Selkirk
    • Chief Shingwauk

    1996

    • Harvey Arcangeletti
    • Thomas Gillespie
    • Robert McEwen
    • Jack Ostroski

    1995

    • Angelo Bumbacco
    • Marguerite Griffith
    • Doug Sykes

    1994

    • Ken Danby
    • Murray Davis
    • Mildred Pajuluoma
    • Kevin Scott

    1993

    • John Bennett
    • Jean Burke
    • Joe Dore
    • Forestry Canada – Forest Pest Management Institute Team
    • Ted Nolan

    1992

    • Dr. Robert Korneluk
    • Ned Ciaschini
    • Rosemary O’Connor

    1991

    • Ron Francis
    • Gerald Nori
    • Don Ramsay
    • Terry Shamess
    • Alex Sinclair

    1990

    • Dr. Roberta Bondar
    • Dr. Robert Ewing
    • Dale Harten
    • Nicholas J. Hirt
    • Gary Buck

    1989

    • Paul Dalseg
    • Judge James Greco
    • Frederick H. Griffith
    • Ross A. Mervyn
    • Dr. George Shunock

    1988

    • Trixie Hardy
    • James L. McIntyre
    • Reg Shaughnessy

    1987

    • R.V.B. Burgoyne
    • Peter Vaudry
    • The CAT Scan Committee

    1986

    • Edison Danby
    • Manny Hellstern
    • Cardi Rinaldi

    1985

    • Jim Bonamico
    • P. Edgar Buchan
    • Arthur Jennings
    • Blessed Sacrament Soup Kitchen

    1984

    • Dr. Charles Eaid
    • Mike Zuke and June Zuke
    • Royal Canadian Legion Drum and Trumpet Band – Branch 25

    1983

    • Arno Ambel
    • John Marasco

    1982

    • Janet Short
    • Perry Short
    • Izetta Hobbs
    • Fred B. Wilson

    1981

    • H.S. (Mac) McLellan
    • Nora Ramsay
    • LCdr (NL) Warren Pihlaja

    1980

    • Frank Elliott
    • Paul Paolini
    • Elsie Savoie
    • Mary Wilson

    1979

    • Walter Lukenda
    • Frank Nolan, Sr.
    • Eric Alessandrini

    1978

    • Jane Angus
    • Edith Bennett
    • Harold Crowder
    • Gillian Walshaw

    1977

    • Anthony C. Van Den Bosch
    • Mauno Kaihla
    • Russell Ramsay, Jr.
    • Cy Thayer

    1976

    • Eleanor McCarthy
    • Ed Gartshore and Katherine Gartshore
    • Arthur Wishart
    • Harry P. Waite

    1975

    • Marcelle Deslauriers
    • Gordon Cunningham
    • Harry Hamilton
    • Malcolm Nicholson
    • Earl Orchard

    1974

    • Harold Tolley
    • John Ferris
    • Thomas Tipton
    • Ben Littner

    1973

    • George E. Nixon
    • David S. Holbrook
    • Archbishop W.L. Wright
    • Sister Teresa Agatha

    1972

    • Phil Esposito
    • Tony Esposito
    • McFarlane Brier Rink
    • Len Monico
    • Gladys McNeice
    • Harriet Black
    • John Barker
    • W.M. (Bill) Hogg

    1970

    • Bette Gaughan
    • Karl Strom
    • W.J.T. (Bill) Newman
    • Sir James Dunn Choir
    • Frank J. Davey