North Bay's citizen of the year announced (Updated)

Brian Winkworth reacts Thursday to his announcement as the 2003 citizen of the year.
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Brian Winkworth, Cogeco's regional manager of programming and community relations, has been named the 2003 citizen of the year by the North Bay Kiwanis Club.

"Brian is known as a generous, caring and dedicated community leader who has worked behind the scenes with over 20 organizations," committee chairman Al McDonald said.

"He's a tremendous volunteer who has truly made a difference in our community."

The official announcement was made Thursday during a lunch hour meeting of the club.

"I’m humbled," Winkworth said.
"I got into doing things in the community for the betterment of the community and not for any glory, so I feel very honoured they’ve chosen me as citizen of the year."

Born and raised on the west island of Montreal, Winkworth and his wife Nancy moved to North Bay from Peterborough in 1987.

"I didn’t know anything about North Bay, but I’ll tell you we just love it," said Winkworth, a father of four.

"You get back out of the community what you put into it, and North Bay is such a wonderful place to live in, to work in and to play in. My children were born here and North Bay is truly home to us."

McDonald said Winkworth was the "obvious" choice for citizen of the year.

"He’s always given up his free time away from his family and he’s always taken a role behind the camera, and he’s never really asked for the spotlight, and never took any of the accolades," McDonald said.

"He's a great individual for our community, he’s allowed a lot of the charitable organizations to get their message out free of charge through Cogeco, and he’s the type of guy you don’t have to go to because he’ll come to you."

McDonald said the 48-year-old Winkworth becomes the youngest citizen of the year yet.

A dinner honouring him is scheduled for early May.