MEMBERS OF THE HALL OF FAME

Nomination Form

Do you know of someone who should be acknowledged in one our 6 categories?

Teacher/Musician/Actor/Performer/Professional/Behind the Scenes, Production/Band, Performing Group/ Deceased

Inductees from our inception in 2006

2006

Howard Alexander

Peter & Marie Galvin

Bruce Ker

Judy Quick

Bob Snelgrove

Tom Wilson

2007

Ed & Betty Alexander

Raul Cirne Sr.

The Graduates

Anne Landon

Pat Marshall

Dr. Frank Phillips

2008

Marjorie Alexander

Richard Crotty

Deborah Dunleavy

George Elliot

Ed Flanigan

Ken Larocque

2009

Brockville Concert Band

Chris Coyea

Mary Hart

Mary Comstock

Bill Tufford

Sandy Wilson

2010

Lance Besharah

Brockville Pipes & Drums

Walter Hofmann

Dave Muir

Roger Tripp

Barry Whiteland

2011

Dr. Denise Bowes

Joy Goodfellow

Matt Hayes

Bruce Ker Trio

Mike & Charyl Trussell

Moxie Whitney

2012

Bruce Alexander

Gary & Mickey Code

Harry Ferguson

Ann MacDonald

Calvin Prescott

Cally Tripp

2013

Dr. J. L. (Jack) Carroll

Eddy & The Stingrays

Margot Green

Peter Lynch

Donna Matheson

Loretta U'Ren Kivinen

2014

Lynn Barkley

Marianne Bimm

The Fabulous Bel-Airs

Harold Hess

Matt Wilson

Art Wood

2015

Jennifer Deligiannis Norm Kearney

Eithne Dunbar Irma McCann

Pauline Grant Stan Pearce

H & S Express Brian Porter

Nora Johnston Sandy Runciman

Orchestra

2016

Curtis Country

Dr. Heather Eyerly

Fred Harper

Bob Hudson

Lisa Leroux

Terry O'Reilly

2017

Angelo Brunet

Sheila Fawcett

Nancy Wickwire-Fraser

Michael Healey

Art Mallet

Healy & Orr

2018

Brockville Police Chorus

Rod Carley

Donna and Dave Cody

Malcolm Gillis

Ross Phillips Sr.

Jeff Reusing

2019

Ed Bush

Rolly Evans

Alex Fleuriau-Chateau

Reg Francis

Brenda Lewis

The Thousand Islanders Barbershop Chorus

2020

Sue Baker

John Ballachey

A.J. Benoit

Todd Noel

Al Torrance

Margaret Whisselle

2023 (no members inducted in 2021 or 2022)

Doug Burns

Gene Chymycz

Karen Weissenbach Forrest

Wilsie Hatfield

2006

Howard Alexander -- 2006

Howard is a versatile performer, musician and teacher who has written over two hundred pieces for various instruments and choir. He composed an opera with Deborah Dunleavy (inducted in 2008) which was premiered in Brockville. He taught music privately and in schools. He has performed professionally with orchestras such as the National Ballet of Canada. Locally, Howard has been on stage and in the pit for musical comedies for the Brockville Operatic Society.

Peter and Marie Galvin -- 2006

To Peter and Marie, local theatre is their life – Peter on stage and Marie behind the scenes. Peter has not only starred in many productions of the Brockville Theatre Guild, but has also directed many productions. Marie has been the producer for many of the Theatre Guild productions. They were a part of the creation of the Musi-Theatre Building that was added on to the Brockville Arts Centre in the late 1980s.

Bruce Kerr -- 2006

Bruce was an accomplished jazz musician who entertained for over 60 years. He played in many jazz groups. The Bruce Ker Trio (inducted in 2011) entertained at functions all through Eastern Ontario. When he was just 20 years old, jazz great Oscar Peterson highly complimented Bruce on his performance. Bruce is an accomplished jazz musician who has entertained for over 60 years.

Judy Quick -- 2006

Judy was a music teacher at Brockville Collegiate for 35 years. An accomplished musician herself, she led the BCI Bands to multiple wins at the Lions Music Festival. She was the inspiration for many young students to pursue musical careers, including: Todd Noel, Christopher Coyea (inducted in 2009) and Christopher Trussell. Judy continues to share her time and talent as the Chair of the Brockville Lions Music Festival.

Bob Snelgrove -- 2006

Since moving to Brockville, Bob has been instrumental in raising the bar – the sound bar – for many productions at the Brockville Arts Centre. He unselfishly helps all of the amateur groups create a better sound quality for their productions. Professionally, his sound company has produced shows for Céline Dion, Cirque de Soleil and more.

Tom Wilson -- 2006

Tom is in the Ottawa Valley Country Hall of Fame and has been performing for more than 40 years. From Corn Fest in Athens to every fair in the Valley, he has entertained generations of fans. He and his band have helped with the Palliative Care Telethon from its inception. Their song “St. Lawrence Valley is My Home” made it to the country charts in the 1960s. Tom continues to volunteer his talents at local Long Term Care Facilities and Retirement Homes.

2007

Ed and Betty Alexander -- 2007

Ed and Betty Alexander not only taught but acted, sang, directed and produced in the Brockville Theatre Guild and the Brockville Operatic Society Productions for over 40 years. For years, Ed was the director and Betty was a soloist in their church choir. Ed was co-founder of the Brockville Lions Music Festival. It was their inspiration that started many music programs at elementary and high schools in the area.

Raul Cirne Sr. -- 2007

His theatre career actually began in the sets while watching shows. One time, he thought: “I can do better than that”, and the next year, he auditioned for and was given a role in “Hello Dolly”! However, it was behind-the-scenes where Raul excelled. Since the 1970s, he has been an integral part of the construction team at the Brockville Arts Centre. He was involved in bringing the sketches and designs of plays and musicals from paper to reality in the Musi-theatre workshop which now bares his name. He had state of the art ideas which enhanced the presentation of remarkable sets.

The Graduates -- 2007

Barry Greene and Reg Countryman got together to play some tunes in 1962. They found Reg Rice drumming across the street and connected with Pat MacKay – a bass player from their high school days. The Graduates were born from a contest conducted at South Grenville District High School in Prescott. They played local venues such as Playland Park and Hilltop. By 1965, they were on the road professionally. Travel took its toll and they folded, but were reunited in 1970 with new members.

Anne Landon -- 2007

Anne taught music for over 30 years at Rideau District High School. She is the co-founder of the Brockville Community Choir. She conducted the Riverside Singers for 10 years, founded and conducted the Young St. Lawrence Singers and is organist and choir director at St. John`s United Church. Anne has been lead soprano in many productions of the Brockville Operatic Society and has been a devoted voice teacher and musical conductor. She was also principal of the Summer Music School of the Upper Canada District School Board for many years.

Patricia (Pat) Marshall -- 2007

Pat turned to performing when one of her high school teachers suggested she “take her energy and put it on stage for all to see”! Pat has been a member of both the Brockville Theatre Guild and the Brockville Operatic Society for over 45 years. She has had the lead role in many of their productions—starring as Annie in Annie Get Your Gun and even playing in the revival of Annie in 2008! In addition, she has served on the executive for many years and has contributed extensively to work behind the scenes with props and set décor.

Dr. Frank Phillips -- 2007

Dr. Phillips started his musical career as a member of the Trinity Anglican Church Choir. He went on to sing in local choirs and was a member of the University of Toronto, Hart House Glee Club. After moving back to Brockville and starting his dental practice, he participated in a number of musical and entertainment activities – including his part as an oboe player with the Brockville Rifles. Dr. Phillips and Traves Hepplestone were founders of the Brockville Operatic Society.

2008

Marjorie Alexander -- 2008

From her début with the Brockville Theatre Guild in “Our Town” and over 5 decades, Marjorie appeared in dozens of major and minor productions, worked on costumes, make-up, props, publicity, set décor and set painting. She narrated, decorated and campaigned! She has won three Best Actress Awards in the Eastern Ontario Drama League festivals and was made a life member of the Brockville Theatre Guild in 1982. Upon Marjorie’s death in 2013, the Theatre Guild initiated a “Marjorie Alexander Memorial Award” to recognize young people’s contributions to local community theatre.

Richard Crotty -- 2008

Richard started music lessons at the Ontario Conservatory of Music at the age of 12. At the age of 13, he became a teacher’s assistant and apprenticed that way for 5 years. He was then hired full time. In 1968, Richard returned to Brockville working for the Canadian Conservatory as their Director of Music. Over three thousand students studied there. Richard adjudicated at Music festivals across Canada for over 40 years. He served as president and secretary-treasurer of the local Musicians Union. It was Richard’s inspiration that sparked the beginning of the 30 Hour Palliative Care Telethon.

Deborah Dunleavy -- 2008

A performer all of her life, Deborah has spent over 30 years as a children’s performer, recording 5 CD’s of her own songs. Her facility with lyrics resulted in her works being included in several books of songs and teaching materials. She was requested to write songs for the Jim Henson Company (of Sesame Street fame). Her performing career has taken her all over North America. Since retiring, Deborah continues to perform as a storyteller.

George Elliot -- 2008

George was a long-time member of the Brockville Musicians Union and served as president and Past president. He has played in numerous bands – having started his career with Tom Wilson (inducted in 2007). He was working with that band when he died in 2005. He toured as a drummer with Orville Prophet and opened for many other groups. He was an avid volunteer, having donated his time and talents at Riverfest, the Palliative Care 30 hour Telethon, Brockville Fall Fair, Brock Days and many other charitable events.

Ed Flanigan -- 2008

Ed was organist at various churches for 56 years. Prior to that, he played in several big bands including The Eddie Flanigan Orchestra and the Sandi Runciman Big Band. His commitment to music goes beyond the call of duty. During weekdays and on Saturdays, he had spent his full day teaching piano. Many evenings and weekends would find Ed as part of an orchestra. Sundays often found him playing the organ at a local church.

Ken Larocque -- 2008

Ken joined the Brockville Pipe Band in 1966 as a drummer. A year later, he decided to learn the pipes. He loved performing in the parades but was also the Piper on call for events such as: The Brockville & Area Sports Hall of Fame, Robbie Burns Nights, and local weddings. A highlight came in 2001 when he piped Brockville’s then Mayor Ben TeKamp from the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller centre in New York City for a special presentation to the city after 9/11.

2009

The Brockville Concert Band -- 2009

The Brockville Concert Band has gone through several phases! The most recent Band was founded in the late 1960’s. The band continues to encourage area musicians to play and perform. Now under the direction of Lance Besharah (inducted in 2010), the Concert Band has expanded to include upwards of 70 members. They perform locally for many fundraising causes.

Christopher (Chris) Coyea -- 2009

Little did he know that during his high school musical days, a performance career lay ahead! Chris attended university with the intent of becoming a music teacher, but his talents were noticed and he joined the performance program. Upon graduating, he accepted a full time position with the Canadian Opera Company and has performed throughout North America and Europe. Chris has appeared with all of our major Canadian opera companies as well as the Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria Symphony Orchestras. He was instrumental in creating the Music Theatre Program of Brockville’s campus of St. Lawrence College. He was a member of a trio called The Three Divos who performed throughout the region. Chris was recently given the honour of Citizen of the Year in Brockville.

Mary Hart -- 2009

Music and performance were always a part of Mary’s life. From singing in high school to working for the CBC, music continued to be her love. Upon Mary’s return to Brockville, she was instrumental in helping restore the Brockville Arts Centre. She helped start the Sunday Concerts in the Park, co-founded the Brockville Community Choir (later to become the Riverside Singers) and served as chairperson of the New Year’s Eve Concerts.

Mary (Ross) Comstock -- 2009

Music has always been a part of Mary’s life. She was the first “Star” of the Brockville Lions Music Festival. Mary taught music at a local elementary school and was the accompanist for many Brockville Operatic Society productions. She was conductor of the Brockville Concert Band and the Brockville Police Chorus. She has been the Musical Director for six productions of the Brockville Operatic Society.

Bill Tufford -- 2009

Bill was a music teacher at Brockville Collegiate Institute for over four decades. He taught thousands of students the joy of vocal music through choirs, musicals and a variety of concerts. Bill was the first musical director for the Brockville Operatic Society and directed music for over 20 productions. He was organist and choir director at Wall Street United Church for many years.

...we congratulate you!