Two B.C. islanders — one from Vancouver Island and one from Denman — have been appointed Members of the Order of Canada.
James Kimmins, 71, a retired forest ecologist living on Denman Island, and Phil Dwyer, 48, a jazz musician and saxophonist living in Qualicum Beach, have both been appointed as members of the order.
The two were among 90 Canadians named Monday to the order by Governor General David Johnston. The Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967 to recognize achievement, dedication to community and national service. Since its formation, about 6,000 people have been inducted.
Kimmins said in a telephone interview he was surprised and deeply touched by the honour, given for his contribution as an ecologist promoting environmental sustainability in forest management.
The forest ecologist graduated from the University of Wales before moving to North America and studying at the University of California, Berkeley, and Yale. He eventually settled into teaching and research at the University of B.C.
He retired at the age of 65 and now lives on 15 acres on Denman Island with his wife, Annie. Kimmins hopes to finish a book soon.
“I’ve had a wonderful time, living and teaching in British Columbia, which I love passionately,” Kimmins said. “Let’s face it, if you are in forestry and ecology, there is not a much better place to be.”
Dwyer said in a telephone interview that he was “quite flabbergasted” by the honour, given for his contributions to jazz as a performer, composer, producer and teacher.
“Obviously, I was very honoured to be given the Order of Canada,” he said.
Dwyer, a saxophonist, composer, band leader and teacher, said he was first introduced to music at the age of seven and, by the time he was 12, was seriously thinking of a career as a professional musician.
Born in Duncan, he grew up in Qualicum. He moved away after finishing high school to live in New York, Vancouver and Toronto before moving back to Qualicum.
He is preparing for a new segment in his life, beginning in August, when he and his wife, Theresa, move to Fredericton, where Dwyer will study law at the University of New Brunswick.
Also honoured with the order were the singer-songwriters behind the enduring success of the band Blue Rodeo.
Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor will be celebrated as officers of the order along with a number of other Canadian artists. Those being honoured include actors Colm Feore and Sarah Polley, author Douglas Coupland as well as journalists Steve Paikin and George Jonas, historian Michael Bliss and fashion TV host Jeanne Beker.
Cuddy and Keelor — who bring Blue Rodeo to the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday — are being cited by Rideau Hall for “their contributions to Canadian music and for their support of various charitable causes.”
— With The Canadian Press
