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.