BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Back in 1983, Joe Drago's father had a
heart attack and passed away.
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The care and concern from the nurses and
doctors at the Memorial Hospital moved Drago, emotionally and
spiritually.
This care and concern made Drago want to get
involved in the community, and he did.
Soon after his father's death, Drago was
voted on as a member of the hospital's foundation board,
starting a long career in community volunteer work.
Last week, Drago was honoured with the
prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary
Club.
The award is the highest honour the Rotary
Club bestows, and it left Drago feeling fine.
Â"It's definitely a special thing for
me,Â" said Drago
Â"The day after the dinner, my phone and door
didn't stop all day. I got four fruit baskets and countless
phone calls from people congratulating me. One guy, who I
haven't seen in 25 years called me. Even my former roommate
from Clarkson University called to congratulate me. It's a
tremendous boost to what I do, and shows just how important it
is to be involved in the community.Â"
The award has been earned by numerous local
dignitaries such as Jim Gordon and Rick Bartolucci, as well as
internationally by Indira Gandhi and Bill Clinton.
The evening will be one Drago remembers for
ever.
Â"My wife, Silvia and one of my daughters,
Deana, both spoke at the ceremony, and I was moved by that,Â"
said Drago.
Â"All the speakers were special to me.
Sudbury Wolves' head coach and GM Mike Foligno also spoke
about me. That was nice because I helped bring Mike to the
Wolves as a skinny kid. My life has been around sport,
education and community involvement. That night certainly
revolved around those three things and makes me remember all
the good times I have had been involved with so much.Â"
Drago's list of community involvement is
as vast as the many awards he has received over the years from
organizations for being just who he is: a caring, compassionate
citizen.
Here's a sampling of Drago's
community work, which includes, among other things, 12 years on
Sudbury Memorial Hospital Board of Governors, Co-Chair of Heart
and Soul Campaign, 17 years with the Wolves' organization,
Commissioner of the NOJHA for 12 years and Chair of the
Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin Capital Campaign.
As well, Drago has been honoured by numerous
organizations including a Queen's Golden Jubilee medal,
Kinsmen Club of Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Honourary
Life Member in the Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey League
and Centennial Award from the Ontario Medical
Association.
Drago is an inspiration to the rest of the
community.
Â"The Rotary Club motto is Service Above
Self, and Joe embodies that motto in his contributions to the
community,Â" said Gerry Lougheed Jr. Â"Joe has been a tireless
community builder, especially in the areas of sport, education
and health.Â"
Finding time to help is what makes Drago
tick.
Â"People do different things in life,Â" said
Drago. Â"Some people go to the casino or go camping, but my
kick is being busy in the areas I like to support. It's a
matter of budgeting your time and family. I have been lucky to
have such a supportive family so I can do all this.Â"
Now, at the age of 65, Drago is looking to
get even busier.
Drago has put his hat in for the running for
president of the Ontario Hockey Federation, of which he is
already first vice-president.
Â"I look at what I have done in hockey, and
this is the last thing I would like to do,Â" said Drago.
Â"There are challenges that interest me. It's a big job,
but I have always been in those kinds of roles. I have enough
leadership and administration experience to do the job.Â"
