Tragedy has a way of reminding us what's really important in life.
Local volunteer and retiree Rick Morgan spends countless hours every year dedicating his life to supporting various causes through his work with the Kiwanis Club of Timmins, the Timmins Food Bank, and others.
He joined the Kiwanis Club in 1995.
“I was pleased to participate since we had received help from the club and from Easter Seals for our two boys,” Morgan says.
Morgan and his wife, Annie, had two sons: George, born in 1962, and Brian, born in 1965.
Both boys had Duchene Muscular Distrophy, which confined them to wheelchairs from an early age.
Morgan says that despite their physical limitations, with the help of Easter Seals and the Kiwanis Club, Brian and George were always moving.
“This did not stop them from attending school, going camping, going on vacation,” Morgan says. “They enjoyed the Easter Seal Camp at Lake Sesekinika each summer. They always enjoyed the Christmas party put on by the Kiwanis Club.”
The boys’ zest for life, however, could not cure their disease. Both boys died in 1979, just six months apart. George was 17; Brian was only 14.
After the loss of their sons, Morgan says the couple spent “many years” boarding high school students whose families lived in Foyelet, but who had to board in Timmins because “the school board did not provide appropriate transportation.”
Morgan worked in the Ministry of Transportation’s Road Construction Division until he retired in 1996, though he continued to consult on road construction projects until 2013.
His retirement opened up more hours to devote to the Kiwanis Club of Timmins. Morgan has held several executive positions with the Kiwanis Club of Timmins over the past two decades, including president.
The Kiwanis motto is “Help the children.” The local chapter regularly fundraises for causes that help children access medical treatments and devices they need to live happy, healthy lives.
They also sponsor kids clubs and teams, such as local air and sea cadets, and various teams with Timmins Porcupine Minor Soccer.
“Rick is 100 per cent dedicated to the club,” says Eric Bosse, current President of the Kiwanis Club of Timmins. “He goes over and beyond his regular duties.”
Unfortunately, Morgan’s undivided attention may be partially fuelled by the recent loss of his wife, Annie. She passed away in 2014 after a short battle with multiple myeloma cancer.
This latest tragedy only spurred Morgan on toward more community service.
“After my wife passed away, I donated some furniture to the food bank furniture division,” Morgan says. “Rick Young (manager of the Timmins Food Bank) suggested that I come out Wednesday mornings to stock shelves. Then he needed someone on Tuesday morning to help bag bread. Then it became every morning.”
Morgan insists his community service is no big deal. “There are other people who deserve the attention more,” he says.
Paul Ouimette, Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Timmins, says that despite Morgan’s humility, his work most certainly is a big deal.
“Rick is an understated individual,” Ouimette says. “But you can count on him for whatever is required when it is required, and he is instrumental in building and maintaining the Kiwanis legacy.”
