‘Hubby Awards’ fete human kindness

The compassion of Greater Sudbury’s citizens was recognized at the second annual Hubert Bray awards Oct. 7 at the Caruso Club.

Close to 500 tickets were sold for the event, which was held in the club’s upper hall. All proceeds were donated to the charities selected by the award winners, said Dan Xilon, administrator of the Sudbury Food Bank.

Five people were presented with the “Hub” award, recognizing outstanding service to their community. The award was created after the death of Hubert ‘Hub’ Bray two years ago, explained Xilon.

Bray, a local lawyer, was considered a giant of a man in his dedication to helping others, said speaker Geoffrey Lougheed. Bray was the former long time president of the Sudbury Food Bank board of directors and spent countless hours in community service, noted Lougheed.

Bray’s son, John Michael Bray, was emcee of the event. He told the audience about the character of his dad.

“My dad had a knack for cutting to the chase of things. He said we needed only two things in life: kindness and a commitment to our fellow man.”

Life-long friend Dan Newell said Bray was the most compassionate and kindest human being he had ever known.

“It was because of the closeness of the Bray family that he became the wonderful man that he was,” said Newell.

He explained that when there was a worthy cause in the community, Bray would often be one of the first to volunteer to help.

“The Sudbury Food Bank and Childhood Enfance, the children’s breakfast program, has his footprints all over it.”
Though not overly athletic himself, Bray was also a lover of sports.

“He coached hockey teams (in the community). He was a walking library for information about the Montréal Canadians team,” said Newell with a chuckle.

He also enjoyed the blues music that has been central to the annual Blues For Food fundraising event for the Sudbury Food Bank in June.

“He never missed one. He really enjoyed the Blues Brothers act (Vic Theriault and Rod Bazinet),” said his son. The Blues Brothers performed during the Caruso Club lunch.

Awarding compassionate community members

First up to be recognized was Zak Syzdiak. The Grade 12 student ran the St. Charles College school’s food drive.
“Zak and his team were able to obtain 85,000 cans of food last year,” noted Edgar Burton, organizer of the City of Greater Sudbury Business and Employee Food Bank.

So much food was gathered by the students and all the other participants in the annual food drive that it took the Irish Regiment of Canada three days to pick up all the food, noted Burton.

“Over 50 tonnes (of food) was collected,” he said.

“These awards encourage youth to go ahead and see what they can do for their community. This young fellow is an excellent example to other students at St. Charles,” said Burton.

Other winners were: 

- Doctor Bill McMullen, for making house calls at all hours of the day and night. The award was presented by Michelle Thiessen, Bray’s oldest daughter 

- Businessman Raymond Loiselle, for supporting countless children’s charities. The award was presented by Dan Xilon, administrator of the Sudbury Food Bank 

- Melanie Kanerva for exemplary work with the St. Josephs Foundation of Sudbury and other community agencies.

The award was presented by Justice Bob Delfrate 

- Elizabeth (Betty) Freelandt (posthumously), for being an outstanding Cambrian College educator, in both administration and faculty roles. The award was presented by Monique Whitmore, Bray’s youngest daughter.

Giving back — yet again

Each winner of the Hub award was given a cheque of $2,000 to donate to their favourite cause. Syzdiak presented his cheque to Better Beginnings Better Futures.

“I went to St. David (elementary) school in the Donovan. Better Beginnings Better Futures operated in the neighbourhood. I saw that their youth programs benefited friends of mine,” said Syzdiak.

McMullen donated his cheque to the St Alphonse Food Bank in Minnow Lake, an agency that Hub Bray had a hand in organizing.

Loiselle donated her cheque to representatives from Childhood-Enfance, another agency supported by Bray. He was president at one time.

Bernie Freelandt, husband of Elizabeth Freelandt, gave his cheque to the Cambrian Foundation Elizabeth Freelandt Student Leadership Award.

Coun. Ted Callaghan, who was present at the awards, said Greater Sudbury is a caring community. “There are many events like this in our community where people are honoured in this way.”

Xilon said though demand for the services of the Sudbury Food Bank had doubled since last year, people had stepped up to keep the food bank shelves stocked.

“We are having a tough time (meeting demand) but we always somehow manage.”