The Award. The Man. The Legacy

Barbara McConnell • April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

We all leave footprints on the earth of one kind or another as we live our lives. For most of us, these footprints are impressions in the sand that dissipate as time erases them. But for a few, their footprints are indelible, leaving lasting imprints for others to see and from which to draw inspiration.


This past week, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation launched a new award program with the purpose of recognizing special people and organizations who, through their exceptional volunteerism and deeds, create exceptional footprints... legacies... which enrich and strengthen our community. This award is intended to reflect the ongoing commitment, outstanding contributions and the service that support the Foundation’s vision and mission to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County (PEC).


This award embodies the very commitment to advancing health care in our community of one of our foundation board members – our longest serving member as it happens – Leo Finnegan. He has been a board member for 11 years and was chair for three years. In addition to being an advocate for health care, he is a champion for the building of a new hospital in The County.


It was because of these attributes that we named the new award in his honour and it was with great pleasure that I was given the opportunity to announce the creation of the PECMH Foundation’s Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award at a presentation event Thursday, March 31. Nominations for this award will be accepted for anyone or any organizations that exemplifies the standard set by the person for whom the award is named.


But starting next year, and here’s why.

 

While the award is named in honour of Leo, it is also fitting that he should be the first recipient. And, so it was a privilege that I, as board chair, was able to announce that the inaugural Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award was awarded to none other than Leo, himself.


Leo has been a resident of The County since 1960, working as manager of the cement plant, and, in fact working his way up to the top job after distinguishing himself in each previous position. On retiring, he took on the mantle of mayor of PEC, winning two terms before stepping aside to continue other interests, not the least of which was the original push to build a new hospital in PEC in 2014. As a member of the PECM hospital board, he was then...and still is...tireless in his pursuit to see the new hospital happen.


When he joined the foundation board he stepped up his game to become a philanthropic ambassador raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the foundation’s mission of providing funds for the purchase of priority medical equipment for the hospital.

 

He has been a member of the board of the Prince Edward Family Health Team and a founding member of the Friends of Prince Edward County Health Care Services and the Health Care Alliance.


He has served as a member of the Rotary Club of Picton since 1982 and as club president in 2001-2002, and was instrumental in the start up of the Rotary Club of Wellington.

 

A man of strong faith, he has been an active member of St. Gregory’s Parish Church and a driving force in restoring St. Frances of Rome Roman Catholic Church in Wellington.


That’s just a small taste of his many contributions to our community.



Leo Finnegan, you are a man whose footprints are leaving a lasting legacy for our County. On behalf of the PECMH Foundation, we are proud to name you the inaugural recipient of this award.

RE/MAX GOLF CLASSIC PECMH FOUNDATION
By Tanya Moore June 25, 2025
A decade of commitment to advancing local healthcare was celebrated in full swing on June 10, as the 10th Annual Teeing Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic raised a record-breaking $68,600 in support of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation. The sold-out tournament welcomed 24 teams and 96 golfers to the Picton Golf and Country Club. This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine, a vital diagnostic tool for early breast cancer detection at the new County hospital. The current mammography unit, in use for over 12 years, is nearing end-of-life, and the cost of replacement is estimated at just under $1 million . "Marking 10 years of community support with a record-setting total is an extraordinary milestone," said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMHF. "This event continues to demonstrate how deeply committed this community is to ensuring exceptional healthcare remains close to home." The winning foursome was Wilkinson & Company LLP Chartered Accountants , with Jeff Snider, Richard Dainard, Craig Closson, and Terry Greer , finishing 10 under par. “This tournament is more than a day of golf,” said Sean McKinney, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quinte Ltd. “It’s a chance for the business community to step up and give themselves an opportunity to make a lasting impact on local healthcare.” Special thanks are extended to Wilkinson & Company Chartered Accountants and Tax Specialists who came in again as the title sponsor for the tournament for the 10th consecutive year in a row. This day would not be possible without the incredible support from our corporate sponsors: Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co., DLC National - The Gulliver Team (Terri Gulliver), Euro Tile & Stone, HDR Architecture Associates, Herb & Kathy Pliwischkies, Kingsford Management, M. Sullivan & Son Limited, Market High Advertising, Monument Geomatics and Estimating, Parkside Landscaping and Contracting, Port Picton Homes, Scotiabank, Taste of Country, Wellings of Picton, and Boats and Holes. "Seeing this community come together to raise a record-breaking total on the tournament’s 10th anniversary is both humbling and inspiring,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build Campaign Cabinet Chairperson. “Each dollar raised is a step closer to bringing the best diagnostic tools to our new hospital, and I couldn’t be prouder of the generosity and spirit that define Prince Edward County." Additional thanks go to all who donated prizes, sponsored holes, provided swag, volunteered, golfed, or participated in the silent and live auctions. Every contribution directly supports better equipment and care at PECMH. One auction item at this year’s tournament exemplified the extraordinary generosity of our community. A stunning BBQ package, donated by Picton Home Hardware and Steve VanDusen, valued initially at $2,200, became a powerful fundraising moment when multiple bidders donated their winning bids and returned the BBQ to be re-auctioned. The prize pack also included a deluxe grill set, a 12-pack of craft beer from Prince Eddy’s, and a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, courtesy of Herb and Kathy Pliwischkies, and $150 worth of premium steaks from Ralph’s Meat Market — donated by the Pliwischkies sisters: Kristen, Lauren, and Kara. Thanks to this incredible spirit of giving, the item raised over $19,000 of the $68,600. Sincere thanks to all our donors, bidders, and partners who made this possible, including Josh Doxtator, Hotch Earl, Herb and Kathy Pliwischkies, Nancy Cleave, and Steve VanDusen. Their generosity continues to fuel our mission. PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign is raising $30M to help build and equip a new hospital to serve residents and visitors in Prince Edward County. For more information about upcoming events or to lend your support, please contact Cait Lavoie at 70clavoie@quintehealth.ca or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca .
By Tanya Moore June 9, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation is thrilled to announce a remarkable $50,000 sponsorship commitment from Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. , naming them as the Presenting Sponsor for the upcoming series of 40th Anniversary fundraising events in 2025. This generous contribution underscores Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.’s deep-rooted commitment to enhancing healthcare in our community and supports a critical priority — the purchase of a new state-of-the-art mammography machine for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. This investment will ensure faster, more accurate diagnostic care and timely breast screening for residents across the County. "As we mark 40 years of impact, we’re not only reflecting on how far we’ve come, but also envisioning a healthier future for everyone in Prince Edward County," said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. "Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.’s ongoing leadership and generosity are helping make that vision a reality.” Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.’s $50,000 sponsorship includes support for four cornerstone events in PECMH Foundation’s celebratory calendar: RE/MAX Teeing-Up Fore Health Care Golf Classic (June 10, 2025 – Picton Golf and Country Club) An Evening with David Frum and Karen Valihora (July 24, 2025 – The Regent Theatre) Fall Golf Tournament at Wellington on the Lake (Date TBC) 40th Anniversary Celebration Their sponsorship builds on a powerful legacy of giving, including their transformational $1.5 million gift to Back the Build , which will name the Diagnostic Imaging Department in the new hospital. This latest commitment continues their leadership role in shaping the future of local health care. “Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co.’s leadership as Presenting Sponsor of our 40th Anniversary events not only honours our past, but boldly invests in our future,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build Campaign Cabinet chairperson. “Their ongoing support is a powerful reminder that when we come together with purpose, we can build something truly transformative — a hospital that will serve generations of residents and families in Prince Edward County." “We believe in giving back to the communities we serve, and supporting healthcare is one of the most meaningful ways we can do that,” said Jeff Howell, president of Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co. “The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be a cornerstone of this community for generations to come. We are proud to stand behind this exciting milestone and to help equip the future hospital with the technology and tools our neighbours deserve.” At PECMH Foundation, we are proud to be a strong voice and champion for exceptional healthcare for the patients of our hospital and the people of Prince Edward County and beyond. Giving to our Foundation is an investment in the health of our community. With the support of dedicated partners like Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co., we can ensure the hospital has the tools, technology, and resources to provide the care our residents and patients deserve — now and into the future. PECMH Foundation’s Back the Build campaign is raising $30M to help build and equip a new hospital to serve residents and visitors in Prince Edward County. For more information about upcoming events or to lend your support, please contact Cait Lavoie at 70clavoie@quintehealth.ca or visit our website at www.pecmhf.ca .
Paul B. Helliwell Foundation Prince Edward County
By bboyce May 29, 2025
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) is proud to announce the successful completion of its CT Scanner Campaign, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community and a transformational matching gift from the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation.
Rotary Club of Picton
May 6, 2025
The Rotary Club of Picton has once again demonstrated its continued commitment to local healthcare with a $5,000 donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation.
R. John Garside  Volunteering
April 28, 2025
It’s National Volunteer Week, and this week we are celebrating our behind-the-scenes Champions at the PECMH Foundation!
Third Annual Curl-A-Thon
By bboyce March 27, 2025
Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation were rocked this week, when the Prince Edward Curling Club members presented $45,363.00
The County Guys pose with Cody-Rae Fowler, this year's bursary recipient.
March 7, 2025
In a special presentation, The County Guys Real Estate Group and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Foundation presented a $2,500 bursary to Cody-Rae Fowler, a Cherry Valley resident who works as a Registered Practical Nurse in the Inpatient Unit as well as the Emergency and Endoscopy Departments at PECMH. Fowler is set to begin her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) at Loyalist College while continuing her work at our County hospital.
Contractors stand on the site of the new PECMH
By bboyce February 26, 2025
M. Sullivan & Son Ltd. was awarded the contract for the new hospital construction in 2024 and will oversee the project until completion. They have hired many local subcontractors, including Drew Harrison Haulage, Otter Energy, Picton Home Hardware, Southside Sanitary Solutions and Wentworth Landscapes, to contribute to the redevelopment.
Cheque presentation photo with reps from Picton Metro.
By bboyce January 31, 2025
Metro Inc. has proudly announced a donation of $8,656.79 from the cash register round-up promotion held between August 22, 2024, and September 4, 2024. This gift brings the five-year total raised to $74,182.63.
Cheque presentation photo outside of PECMH.
By bboyce January 29, 2025
On behalf of IG Wealth Management, Barbara Shuster and Scott Lavender are Backing the Build for the fourth consecutive year and were pleased to donate $2,370 to the new hospital campaign. This brings the four-year total given by IG Wealth Management to $10,870.
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