King Charles III Coronation Medal Ceremony

Richard Bagordo

As President of the Greenfield Park Packers Football Association, a coach with the club and an elite coach and member of the executive for the Flight School Flag Football League, Richard Bagordo has been sharing his infectious passion for football with South Shore youth and their families for nearly a decade and a half.

A mentor, a role model and one many would call a force to be reckoned with, Richard has played – and continues to play – a pivotal role in the Greenfield Park community and beyond. Through his uplifting coaching style and empowering leadership skills, he has instilled in countless young people the confidence and determination that will help them reach their full potential, and the values of perseverance and hard work that will ensure their success as the leaders of tomorrow.

It is for his motivating influence and positive impact on the up-and-coming generation, and his unwavering dedication to the sport of football, to its players and fans, and to his community at large, that Richard Bagordo is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Monique Brisson

A woman of vision and of action, Monique Brisson has devoted decades of her life to community service. Whether as a school commissioner, a municipal councillor, a volunteer or the driving force behind numerous local organizations, Monique has always shown a deep commitment to improving the quality of life of her fellow citizens.

Nowhere is that commitment – or the enduring impact it has had– more evident than in the continued importance and success of La Mosaïque, the volunteer-based organization she founded in 1985.

Today, La Mosaïque plays a vital role in strengthening the social fabric of our community, its hundreds of volunteers providing much-needed assistance and services to thousands of individuals and families in need every year.

For her vision and leadership in promoting volunteerism, mutual support and community building, and for the lasting positive impact her contribution has had on citizens’ quality of life, Monique Brisson is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Elizabeth et Steve Britton

For the last 12 years, Elizabeth and Steve Britton have dedicated themselves to improving life for Montreal’s growing number of Indigenous and other community members experiencing homelessness.

Every second Wednesday, the couple personally prepares anywhere from 35 to 80 hot meals, packs them into the car along with drinks, snacks and other essential items like warm clothing and toiletries, and drives them into the city for distribution as part of a group known as the Street Patrol.

Through their actions over the years, Elizabeth and Steve have not only brought much-needed food and comfort to countless unhoused fellow Canadians; they have encouraged wider community engagement and involvement in the cause and have helped promote greater awareness and a better understanding of the realities of homelessness.

For their humanity and tireless efforts to rally community forces to get involved in helping those less fortunate, Elizabeth and Steve Britton are each awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Marco Carpinteyro

Marco Carpinteyro inspires the people around him with his boundless positive energy and the exceptional respect and compassion he brings to all of his human interactions.

As a former coordinator of the Table itinérance Rive-Sud and the current director general of the Maison de la Famille LeMoyne, Marco has brought these qualities to bear in forging positive relationships that engage and motivate those who work with him and build trust with the populations they serve.

Marco has made an undeniable and significant contribution to the well-being of our community and of its citizens. The incredible work he is doing with the Maison de la Famille LeMoyne to foster positive youth development through programs and activities that empower young people, support healthy family dynamics and build a more cohesive community, will ensure that the impact of this contribution is felt for many years to come.

It is for these many reasons that Marco Carpinteyro is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Lyes Chekal

Since arriving in Canada and making Longueuil his home, Lyes Chekal has devoted himself to the cause of social justice and to improving the lives of those less fortunate in our community.

As director general of Ressources Saint-Jean-Vianney, a local organization that provides assistance, services and support to individuals and families in the city’s less privileged Saint-Jean-Vianney district, he has been instrumental in doing just that.

Lyes’s positive leadership and collaborative spirit have enabled the organization grow in its efforts to engage vulnerable youth through sports and other activities, to address food insecurity through collective cooking, community gardening and food bank services, to break the isolation of seniors and newly-arrived immigrants through coffee groups and cross-cultural events, and more.

For his contribution to reinforcing the social fabric of his community and promoting intercultural sharing and respect, Lyes Chekal is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Lieutenante Amélie Corneault

Lieutenant Amélie Corneault has dedicated herself to the service of Canada’s young people since enrolling in the Cadet Instructors program at the age of 19.

Through the years, she spent numerous summers working at various cadet training centres, often assuming senior roles within their staff, and has held the position of Commanding Officer of several Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, including RCSCC Longueuil.

Amélie’s commitment to providing guidance and support to youth is further exemplified in her previous work as a teacher of English as a second language to students who had dropped out of school and later returned.

Viewed by her peers and community as a role model whose positive attitude, resilience and determination to give back are an inspiration to others, Lieutenant Amélie Corneault is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Terrance Deslage

Terrance Deslage has been an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 25 years, providing support to Veterans and their families, promoting remembrance and giving freely of his time to serve the needs of Veterans in the community.

For nearly the last decade, Terrance has held the position of treasurer of RCL Branch 94 in Greenfield Park, devoting countless volunteer hours to, among other things, monitoring the branch’s day-to-day financial operations, keeping its books up to date and preparing financial statements.

Since 2020, Terrance has also served as District Commander for Montreal’s South Shore, giving support and guidance to the 10 local Legion branches within the region and representing the District, as needed, at various events and ceremonies.

For his many years of dedicated service to the Veterans and families of Branch 94 and for his leadership as District 10 Commander, Terrance Deslage is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Simon Gauthier-Hansen

A special education teacher and 4th Dan black belt in Judo, Simon Gauthier-Hansen has devoted much of his career to promoting the teaching of the martial art in schools to help prevent bullying.

In 2013, Simon, who just this fall won a bronze medal at the Panamerican Kata Championships in Colombia, developed an innovative project to address violence in schools through the introduction of Judo to help students focus their energy and develop valuable skills like self-control and empathy. This project was subsequently taken up by 13 other primary schools and one high school in the region.

Since 2020, Simon has been partnering with Judo Québec as the provincial academic and extracurricular development officer to more widely promote the physical and mental benefits of Judo to schools in regions throughout Quebec.

For his outstanding contribution to education and sport and for the positive impact his initiatives have had in our community and across the province, Simon Gauthier-Hansen is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Lieutenant-colonel Lance-Richard Gosselin

Lieutenant Colonel Lance-Richard Gosselin enlisted as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1994.

He joined the 34th Service Battalion in St-Hubert as a senior officer in 2013, became its Deputy Commander in 2017 and took over as Commander of the Battalion in June 2020.

Lieutenant Colonel Gosselin has played an instrumental role in raising the 34th Service Battalion’s visibility across the South Shore by ensuring its presence and active participation in formal and informal events and ceremonies.

Since the start of his military career, he has served in every domestic operation in which Canada’s Reserve Force has been called upon to assist, from the Saguenay Flood of 1996 to the 2023 wildfires.

For his service to Canada and to Canadians, and for his commitment to ensuring the 34th Service Battalion is a present and engaged partner in the South Shore community, Lieutenant Colonel Lance-Richard Gosselin is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Donald Greene

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Donald Greene is a long-standing, essential and invaluable member of St. Hubert’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 159.

Presently serving as the branch’s Sergeant-at-Arms, he has for many years dedicated himself to organizing the annual poppy campaign and Remembrance Day ceremony in St. Hubert, in addition to being heavily involved in the branch’s regular activities and operations.

As a former member of the Royal Canadian Hussars and current curator of the regiment’s museum in Montreal, Comrade Greene also plays a key role in preserving our country’s rich military history.

He is a strong advocate for the inclusion of all veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces within the Legion and a steadfast supporter of the cadet movement on the South Shore.

For his exceptional contribution to Veterans, military members, youth and community, Donald Greene is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Jose Jacinto

Jose Jacinto has been actively involved in his community as a volunteer medical first responder for over 25 years.

For nearly a decade, he served as a St. John’s Ambulance first aid volunteer before founding in 2007 ADJ Premiers Soins, a non-profit organization based on the South Shore that provides life-saving first aid training and volunteer services around the region during sporting, cultural and other public events.

Jose has also been a long-time volunteer with Héma-Québec.

For his significant contribution to protecting and promoting the health and safety of his fellow-citizens on the South Shore of Montreal, Jose Jacinto awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Robert Kirnan

Robert Kirnan epitomizes what it means to give back to one’s community. From the many volunteer positions he has held with such sports organizations as the Greenfield Park Figure Skating Club, Greenfield Park Packers Football Association and Quebec Major Junior Football League, to his dedication to helping the less privileged in our community through his long-standing involvement with the Greenfield Park Christmas Basket Association, Bob has been an active and engaged member of his community for over 40 years.

Through his work on the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, the Greenfield Park Oldtimers Hockey Association and other organizations, his fundraising efforts and ability to secure sponsorships have helped provide much-needed resources for local charities, equipment for sports groups and schools, and enriching educational trips for students.

For his life-long dedication to community service and the part he has played in improving the lives of so many of his fellow citizens, Robert Kirnan is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dan Lamoureux

Through his actions and advocacy spanning nearly three decades, Dan Lamoureux has left an indelible mark on minority-language education on the South Shore of Montreal and across Quebec.

Dan first joined Riverside School Board in 1998, serving the last decade as chair of its Council of Commissioners. During his tenure, he was instrumental in making the Riverside one of the highest performing school boards in the province.

Elected president of the Quebec English School Boards Association in 2018, he played a key role in ensuring the preservation of the province’s minority-language school boards.

A former firefighter for the City of Westmount, Dan has also been an active volunteer for numerous organizations and causes in his community.

For his lifelong commitment to service and his exceptional contribution to minority-language education in Quebec, Dan Lamoureux is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Rose Gendron Lévesque

Accomplished painter, poet, author, photographer and lecturer, Rose Gendron Lévesque has made a lasting imprint on the artistic and cultural landscape of her community, her province and her country.

With a creative career spanning four decades, she has amassed an impressive body of work that includes paintings, wall murals, books, poetry collections and more.

Throughout the years, Rose has been generous in sharing her artistic and cultural creations with the public through lectures and conferences, and by opening her St. Hubert home – a work of art in its own right with 35 magnificent murals painted directly on the walls and doors – to visitors from near and far.

Her work has earned her numerous prizes and distinctions, both from here and abroad.

For her exceptional contribution to art and culture and her commitment to promoting cultural expression and discovery through the arts, Rose Gendron Lévesque is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Nicole Ménard

First elected to the Quebec National Assembly for the riding of Laporte in 2007, Nicole Ménard went on to win re-election four more times before retiring from public life in 2022.

Throughout her 15-year political career, Nicole held a number of positions in government, including that of Tourism Minister, Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, Government Caucus Chair and Chief Government Whip, as well as various roles in Official Opposition.

But beyond all of her achievements and the many gains she was able to make for Laporte, Nicole’s time in office is distinguished by her deep commitment to public service and the lasting relationship of trust she succeeded in forging with the people, community groups, businesses and municipalities of her riding.

For her exceptional contribution to public life and her legacy of honour and respect, Nicole Ménard is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Cheryl Cantwell Moores

Cheryl Cantwell Moores has been President of Greenfield Park’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94 for nearly 10 years, her involvement with the Branch stretching back decades further.

Comrade Moores’ commitment to serving and caring for Veterans and their families, to ensuring their sacrifice and service to country are remembered and honoured, and to supporting the needs of the broader community is both fierce and exemplary.

At a time when many legion branches struggle with the reality of dwindling numbers and an aging membership, Comrade Moores, through her able guidance and stewardship, has helped build Branch 94 into one of the largest and most active legions in Quebec.

For the exceptional service and care she provides to Veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families as President of RCL Branch 94, and for her leadership in making the legion a central and vibrant hub of and for the community, Comrade Cheryl Cantwell Moores in awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Robert Myles

Robert Myles is a model of civic engagement and community leadership.

Serving his fellow citizens as a municipal elected official for nearly 20 years, at various stages as a municipal councillor, borough councillor, borough president and Opposition leader, he has also been an active and long-standing volunteer for numerous local organizations, associations and causes.

Bob is known for being the first person to roll up his sleeves and jump in to offer assistance whenever it is needed in the community, whether it is to clear a blocked sewer grate, deliver bread to a local shelter or help empty boxes from a flooded basement. His commitment to his neighbours and his community is as unquestionable as it is absolute.

For his lifelong dedication to serving the interests and needs of his community in any and every way that he can, Robert Myles is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Jean Nelson

Jean Nelson embodies the spirit of human kindness and generosity.

Every year for the last half-century, Jean devotes his Christmas Eve to driving through the streets of Greenfield Park in a horse-pulled sleigh, handing out gifts to hundreds of children along the way.

He dedicates innumerable hours throughout the year to shopping for toys, collecting donations and wrapping each item in time for the holidays, pouring his big heart and soul into sharing the magic of Christmas with children and families throughout the community.

Jean’s selfless commitment to spreading hope and happiness to others at a time of year that can be difficult for many has brightened the lives of thousands, and he has done it all in virtual obscurity – looking not for recognition, but to make a difference.

For exemplifying the true meaning of the spirit of giving, and for the joy he has brought to so many in his community, Jean Nelson is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Deborah Pearson

In the early 1980s, after discovering that hundreds of women seeking escape from an abusive relationship were unable to get the help they needed due to lack of space and services, Deborah Pearson set to work on a plan to create a second women’s shelter on the South Shore.

In 1983, Pavillon-Marguerite-de-Champlain opened its doors with a mission to providing bilingual sheltering services, crisis intervention and follow-up services to women victims of domestic violence and their children.

More than 40 years later, over 10,000 women and children have benefited from the Centre’s support, and Deborah continues to serve as its capable and caring director.

For her incredible dedication to supporting, empowering and providing a safe haven to women and their children from all backgrounds, Deborah Pearson is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Premela Pearson

As someone who has been actively engaged in volunteering since she was a teenager, it should come as no surprise that Premela Pearson would take the experience of suffering an agonizing and debilitating arthritis flare-up and turn it into an opportunity to help others.

The founder and president of Arthritis South Shore, an organization officially established in 2019, Prem works tirelessly to ensure that people with arthritis have the tools, information, support and services they need to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

But perhaps just as important is the inspiration she brings to her fellow arthritis sufferers, and to all who know her, with her abounding energy, positivity and graciousness.

For her vision and leadership in founding Arthritis South Shore and the hope and support she has brought to so many people living with this disease and their families, Premela Pearson is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Donald Pelletier

Retired Master Corporal Donald Pelletier has a long-standing commitment to serving his country and community and to honouring those who have given their lives in service.

As a former member of the Royal Canadian Hussars, a past lieutenant with the Montreal Fire Department and active member of its Honour Guard, and an involved member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 159 in St. Hubert, Donald Pelletier has been a central figure in remembrance events within the community and across the region for many years.

His actions have helped ensure that the sacrifice made by our military veterans and firefighters in protecting Canadians and the rights and freedoms we hold dear are never forgotten.

Through Comrade Pelletier’s steadfast support of our local cadet corps, he is also helping impart to future generations of leaders, the values of honour, service and integrity by which he has lived his life.

For his unwavering dedication to Veterans, firefighters, community and country, Donald Pelletier is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Ravy Por

An innovation and artificial intelligence expert, Ravy Por has been involved in various educational and technological initiatives for many years.

In 2018, she founded Héros de chez nous, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the accessibility of technology education in AI for all young people, particularly high school students, and promoting digital literacy across Quebec. Tens of thousands of students have already benefited from the organization’s educational program.

Through her efforts to democratize digital learning and encourage young people to pursue studies in STEM, Ravy is contributing to the emergence of the next generation of innovators in Quebec and helping to build the kind of skilled labour force the province will need to harness the technological challenges of the future.

For her outstanding contribution to youth development and the promotion of STEM education, Ravy Por is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Florent Portron

A trained medical first responder and LeMoyne resident Florent Portron has been an active volunteer in his community for 30 years.

Working with St. John’s Ambulance from 1996 to 2007, ADJ Premiers soins from 2009 to 2016 and the Tour de l’Île de Montréal since 1995, Florent has given generously of his time to provide volunteer first aid services at numerous public events and gatherings both within his community and across the region.

For the past six years, Florent has also been involved in the Canadian Cadet program as an active volunteer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets’ 223 Longueuil Corps.

For his commitment to volunteerism and dedication to the care and safety of his fellow citizens, Florent Portron is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Benoit Robert

Benoît Robert served with distinction as a community police officer for the Agglomeration of Longueuil, dedicating 30 years to protecting and serving his community. Throughout his career, he exemplified professionalism, compassion, and a deep commitment to public safety.

One of Benoît’s greatest strengths was always his work with young people and his unique ability to connect with those who had lost their way. Through initiatives like volunteering at car seat clinics, he helped instill responsibility and community engagement in the next generation.

Even in retirement, Benoît continues to embody the spirit of service. His dedication has extended beyond his years in uniform through his volunteer work with L’Appart à Moi, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty and supporting young adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

For his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to his community, Benoît Robert is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Franca Sparapani

Franca Sparapani is a born nurturer.

As the founder and executive director of Seniors Respite Montérégie, a day centre dedicated to serving the needs of individuals living with cognitive decline and of their caregivers, Franca has built a community of compassion and support for South Shore seniors and their families.

Under her caring leadership and guidance, the centre offers seniors with dementia and other cognitive impairments a welcoming and stimulating environment in which they can thrive, while providing much needed respite and support services to the family members who care for them.

Franca’s warm and nurturing spirit permeates all aspects of the vital organization she has created, and our community is greatly enriched for it.

For the exceptional contribution she has made to improving the well-being of seniors and families on the South Shore, Franca Sparapani is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Aphrodite Stathopoulos

Aphrodite Stathopoulos has been a driving force in ensuring the strength and vitality of the South Shore Greek community for over 25 years.

As current President of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s South Shore Regional Council, she plays a key role not only in representing the interests of the region’s Greek population and making sure its members have the services they need, but also in promoting Greek culture, heritage and traditions to the wider public.

Aphrodite oversees the organization of the St. Jean Baptiste Greek Festival, an annual multi-day event that celebrated and showcases traditional Greek music, dancing, cuisine and pride and draws thousands of visitors every year.

For her commitment to serving the South Shore Greek population, to fostering the vitality of her community and to promoting cross-cultural learning and appreciation, Aphrodite Stathopoulos is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Winsome Wason

Winsome Wason is a shining example of one who goes above and beyond in service to others.

For many years, she has been the heart and hands of St. Paul’s Church, serving tirelessly in both visible and quiet ways. Whether organizing monthly events for seniors, mentoring youth, or simply offering a comforting hand and a listening ear, she embodies what it truly means to serve with love and humility.

Her kindness, commitment, and faith in action have been a source of inspiration to all in her community. Though she has never sought recognition for her service, today we pause to honour her.

For her light that has touched so many lives, her selfless spirit and the profound impact she has had on our community, Winsome Wason is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Wade Wilson

Wade Wilson has served as a borough councillor for the City of Longueuil, vice-president of the Greenfield Park Christmas Basket Association, and a frequent volunteer at numerous community events. But those who truly know Wade, know him for his work with the Mike Reid Softball Charity Tournament.

To honour the memory of his close friend Mike Reid, who passed away in 1984, Wade joined with Mike’s family in establishing an annual softball tournament with the objective of raising funds for various local organizations, as well as for the Mackay Centre School in Montreal, which provides education to children who are hearing-impaired or have disabilities. Over the course of 40 years, the Mike Reid Softball Charity Tournament has built a large and dedicated following, raising over $1 million for these causes.

Through personal loss, Wade channeled his grief into a powerful force for good, creating a lasting tribute to his best friend while making an immense impact on others.

It is for his selfless dedication and his commitment to community that Wade Wilson is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Christine Wright

Christine Wright is known in and by her community as an exemplary figure, one who is always ready to get involved whenever and wherever she is needed.

An active member of St. Mary’s Parish and a pastoral agent with the Saint John Paul II Pastoral Unit, Christine also sits on the board of ARC – an organization dedicated to helping people of all ages access English-language health and social services, information, resources, programs, and activities on the South Shore – and is actively involved in the organization HOPE, where she plays a key role in the collection of food donations for individuals and families in need.

Through her work at St. Mary’s Parish, where she is responsible for preparing children for the different sacraments, Christine also plays an essential part in shaping the future generation of community leaders by instilling in young people a sense of service from a very early age.

For the significant contribution she has made to the well-being of our community, Christine Wright is awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.