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Seven Calgary seniors are being recognized for the work they’ve done in the years when most look to settle down.
The fourth iteration of the biennial Top 7 Over 70 awards will honour Calgarians who’ve not only spent their lives taking on new projects, businesses and philanthropic endeavours — they continue to do it well into their golden years.
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The recipients were revealed Monday during an event at Heritage Park’s Gasoline Alley. Each will be presented their award at a gala on Oct. 23 at the Hyatt Regency.
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Among this year’s recipients is Janice McTighe, the executive director of Renfrew Educational Services. The 82-year-old has led the organization, which operates schools for children with significant disabilities, since 1974, and she’s now working to further their operations beyond K-6 with a new $30-million school.
“We’ve had a lot of pressure over the years from parents to expand our services to high school because there isn’t as much opportunity for those kids,” she said. “Our plan is to take a look at expanding life skills, vocational training and help them get their good start into the real world.”
McTighe said she couldn’t imagine what her life would look like if she wasn’t involved with Renfrew, and she plans to continue her work as long as she can.
“I need a purpose in my life,” she said. “I mean, I have kids and grandkids and that’s all really nice. But I’m inspired to do this work.”
Tania Willumsen is receiving the award for her work with Ukrainian refugees. The 76-year-old has spent much of the last year and a half helping refugees settle in Calgary, aiding them with everything from assistance learning English and finding a job to providing emotional supports.
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“They’ve had amazingly difficult and tragic experiences,” said Willumsen. “What’s been really encouraging is just to see the talent that they brought here and how they love Calgary and Calgarians — Calgarians have very warm hearts.”
While just the latest endeavour in Willumsen’s still very busy life, she said it’s human nature to offer help where you can.
“I’m not very good at saying no,” she said with a chuckle. “So when people have asked me to help out with something, I always do that.”
‘Making a real significant contribution’
The term “retirement” was something of a dirty word as the recipients gathered at Heritage Park on Monday. Top 7 Over 70 founder Jim Gray said the the instant change from being very active to retirement can be a shock for some folks.
“What we’re finding is people are resisting that,” said Gray. “We’re living longer, we’re somewhat healthier — both neurologically and physically — and so seniors are making a real significant contribution. And not just to other seniors but to the whole society, to the whole community. It’s quite astounding; it’s been under the radar for too long.”
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Gray said there are several awards that honour the pursuits of younger folks and “lifetime achievement” awards for older adults, but he’s not aware of any other organizations that specifically recognize folks for the work they do after they hit retirement age.
“This is pretty unique,” he said. “We recognize people over 70 for what they have done after 70. Not for what they did in their 30s or 40s or 60s, but what they achieved after 70.”
Other recipients announced Monday include Ron Ghitter, a former Alberta MLA and Canadian senator who recently helped launch the Dignity Forum, a human rights group focused on discrimination and hate crimes.
In addition to his human rights work, he’s also helped raise Calgary’s profile in the tennis world, raising millions to build the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre.
Dr. Benno Nigg is being recognized for his work in the world of biomechanics. His knowledge of athletic shoes is often sought by big-name brands like Nike and Adidas, and he once worked with star soccer player David Beckham.
He’s also helped the University of Calgary become the top sports medicine school in North America for two years in a row and started his own sports research company.
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This isn’t the first award John Scott, 83, is receiving for prowess in the film industry. The long-time rancher and as a veteran stunt expert has made a name for himself — and his ranch, the John Scott Ranch — while helping to grow Alberta’s footprint in Hollywood.
His ranch recently received a “location of the year” award at the Cannes film festival.
Mogens Smed is being honoured for his work with Falkbuilt, a company he launched in 2018. Now 75, Smed has grown the business, which focuses on new technology and innovations in the construction industry, to employ more than 500 workers.
Tom Jackson is a 74-year-old actor, who appeared in several notable Canadian productions through the 1990s like the CBC drama North of 60 and the travelling musical The Huron Carole, which raised money for local food banks across Canada for almost two decades.
He’s now working on a new series called Sullivan’s Crossing, while creating his own detective drama and continuing philanthropic endeavours.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
X: @MichaelRdrguez
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