Hall of fame
Members honored for their exceptional commitment to the organization
Peter Bedard
Almost a charter member of the Club with over 60 years of outstanding service to the community. Past President and one member that deserves a special recognition for the ongoing success of the Club.
A fundraiser like no other. Peter was very much involved in the 2010 Club's review and reorientation.
Peter was the eldest of 13 children living in deep poverty. At the age of 12, he left home to find work and help his family. He worked back breaking jobs across the country, eventually apprenticing in sheet metal manufacturing in Montreal and worked as a fitter welder. He took night courses to finish high school and later took university level courses while working full time and extra shifts.
He married Violet De Board in 1956 and continued striving for advancement, eventually scraping together enough money to start Aluminum Welding Company Ltd. in 1961. Peter was proud to be able to help support his family and provided jobs to many of his siblings. The company grew; he bought other businesses and employed some 300 people yearly in Quebec and Ontario at the peak of his career providing a good and steady income to his hundreds of employees and security for their families.
Two things were fundamentally important to Peter: family and having a job. He never forgot the poverty he grew up in and believed that hard work could change all things. He knew how much, a helping hand at the right time, could give someone a chance against often daunting odds and change a life forever. He constantly gave back to his employees and to the local community through over 60 years of service in Kiwanis. As a Director, Officer and President of the board over the years he exemplified the Kiwanis spirit of giving and friendship.
Peter’s legacy of support and generosity in the community will live on through the Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore Montreal’s annual Peter Bedard Achievement award and through this annual charity golf tournament.
Gordon Stewart
Joined the Royalmount Kiwanis Club (chartered in 1955) in during the 80's Gord was always available to serve on various committees and became one of Royalmount’s outstanding presidents.
After Royalmount surrendered its charter in 1993, he joined the Lakeshore Club together with the late past Lt-Governor Claude Ducket and Jacques Dubuc.
Gord was the originator and first chairman of our Golf tournament, served as a Director and on many committees, has been most active in visiting the Blind, Bingo and the Vets, active in all our fundraisers and now for a number of years has ably carried out the duties of Sergeant at Arms.
Gord is a true Kiwanian and we are all proud to have him as a Member of our Club.
Wim Laarhoven
A true Kiwanian, and has been an invaluable member of this club since 1983. Wim led the club as President in 1997 and served as a former Treasurer and Director for many years. He provided outstanding leadership for many years in the Annual Golf Tournament and the Annual Holiday Nuts & Cakes Sales.
Wim was a relentless volunteer with the club and served as a long-time Director of the Kiwanis Lakeshore Foundation. During his tenure Wim was one of the leaders in helping to bring our club and foundation up to the level of $100,000.00 in annual donations to the community and the children we support. A great man of kindness and a dedicated Kiwanian, Wim will always be remembered as an inspiration to us all.
Jacques Dubuc
Jacques 'the Kiwanian' - A true embodiment of Kiwanis service with an extraordinary 66+ years of dedication to changing the world one child, one community at a time. Charter founder of multiple clubs and a two-time President whose legacy spans generations of Kiwanians.
A fundraising innovator and visionary leader. Jacques was instrumental in establishing new clubs and breaking barriers, including supporting the induction of the first female member in the Royalmount area. His creative approach to fundraising - from Trip of the Month tickets to elaborate fashion shows featuring an all-male chorus line and concerts by Oscar Peterson - raised significant funds while building lasting friendships.
Jacques joined the Royalmount Kiwanis Club in June 1957 at a time when service clubs were just beginning to flourish in Quebec. By age 27, he had already become President, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would define his six-decade journey with Kiwanis. During Canada's Centennial year in 1967, while juggling Expo visitors, a new job in Saint-Eustache, and building a home in Laval-sur-le-lac, Jacques recognized an opportunity to expand Kiwanis service and spearheaded the formation of Club Kiwanis de Saint-Eustache, chartered in 1968.
Throughout his remarkable tenure, Jacques understood that Kiwanis was more than meetings and fundraisers - it was about creating lasting change through service to children and communities. From Christmas dinners at orphanages to summer camps, from supporting local youth to achieving a world record of 535 Interclub visits over 25 years, Jacques lived the Kiwanis motto daily. In 2015, he was privileged to represent our Club at Kiwanis International's 100th anniversary convention in Indianapolis.
His dedication knew no bounds. He served as President twice, traveled to conventions across North America from Houston to Bermuda, and remained active even as clubs merged and evolved around him. When Royalmount surrendered its charter in 1991, Jacques helped ensure continuity by joining the Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore Montreal, bringing his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to a new generation of members.
Jacques believed that "Giving back to Society by Helping to Change the World One Child One Community at a Time is good for the soul and is most rewarding." His 66 years of service proved that Kiwanis truly became his way of life and part of his DNA, inspiring countless others to make service a top priority and discover the joy of giving back.