Citizen of the Year Nominees
Colin Krueger
At a young age, Colin’s involvement in coaching, managing and organizing various sporting events planted the seed for his love of volunteering and helping others. Living in Port Colborne and Wainfleet for the majority of his life, Colin considers both communities to be his home, and his generosity and selfless efforts have made a tremendous difference in the lives of his friends, neighbours and
other members of these communities. Colin’s volunteer efforts seem endless- from helping with Canal Days and the Marshville Heritage Festival, to delivering meals, sitting as treasurer and helping with the Wainfleet Fair, volunteering weekly at the thrift store, helping to maintain his church through gardening and handy -man efforts…. The list goes on! Colin sees his volunteer work as great opportunities to make new friends and enjoys the many physical and mental rewards of spending time helping others in the community.
Michael Mascitelli
Currently a water meter repair technician for the City of Port Colborne, Michael is a dedicated member of the community, involved with countless initiatives and part of several groups including the Hong Kong Association of Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion, Niagara District Firefighters Association and more. Starting in 1980, Michael served with the Royal Canadian regiment, after which he worked for the Red Cross until being recruited to the Port Colborne Fire Company, where he served 10 years before retiring from the fire service. Since
then he has dedicated his time to volunteering, training the
Port Colborne junior B Hockey team, working at the 79th air Cadets as an officer Cadet in the administration training department, and performing his role of director of the 434 Royal Canadian Air Force Association Kit shop.
Rick Osborne
Rick “Ozzy” Osborne was raised in Crystal Beach and moved to Niagara Falls as a young adult, where he entered a life of substance abuse and crime that eventually lead to his incarceration. During his sentence, Rick completed an apprenticeship and earned his license as a Class A mechanic. Rick began to reform his life once he
finished his sentence, earning a B.A. in Psychology from Queen's University and continued his studies at McMaster University completing an Addiction Careworker Diploma. Rick has dedicated his post-prison life to working with and mentoring youth. Now Rick and his wife Heather develop and deliver outreach and programming for youth in need through Truth for Teens, a charitable organization founded by Rick in 2005. His passion has taken him across Canada and in 2014 Rick received a Heroes award from the former MP Joy Smith’s Foundation. Now at home in Port Colborne, he has partnered with St. James & St. Brendan Church to renovate a former “Biker” building and run a motorcycle/muscle car build called “Ozzy’s Garage” for at-risk youth from the surrounding area.
Rhoda Wills
Rhoda Willa has been a resident of Wainfleet for 53 years. In her opinion, Wainfleet is the best place to live! Rhoda’s 40+ years of volunteering have included singing in her church choir, canvassing for the heart and stroke foundation, co campaign chairperson for Canadian Cancer Society, volunteer driving for the Canadian Cancer Society and more than 20 years planting and maintaining the gardens at the Wainfleet Town Hall. Rhoda has also participated in the head shave for the Terry Fox Foundation, raising over one thousand dollars.