Hamilton Gallery of Distinction announces 2013 inductees

Seven outstanding citizens – including a McMaster faculty member, a long-time instructor and Board member and two friends of the University – have been named to Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction.

Jean Chamberlain Froese, Douglas Barber and Owen and Marta Boris are among seven outstanding citizens who have been named to the Gallery.

The 2013 inductees include leaders from business, healthcare, philanthropy, journalism and the community. Each has made a lasting contribution to Hamilton.

They will be inducted at the 30^th annual gala dinner on November 12 at Michelangelo Events & Conference Centre.

The 2013 Hamilton Gallery of Distinction inductees are:

Dr. H. Douglas Barber

Long-time Dundas resident Doug Barber co-founded Linear Technology in 1973 setting about transforming the Burlington-based company into Gennum, a global leader in microcircuit design and manufacture employing 500 with sales over $105-million. A long-serving instructor at McMaster and a member of its Board, Doug and wife June are dedicated supporters of Mac and many other Hamilton initiatives. A founding member of the Hamilton Civic Coalition, he remains active in many initiatives to increase Hamilton’s industrial success and prosperity and is an Officer of the Order of Canada, an engineer, entrepreneur  and an outstanding citizen.

Owen and Marta Boris

When Owen Boris found himself unemployed in the 1950s, he and his wife Marta erected a tower in their backyard and built trenches connecting neighbours with their cable TV service. Mountain Cablevision – which would become one of Canada’s largest independent cable, phone and internet companies – was born. Selling the company in 2009, Owen and Marta set about to give back by funding the Boris Family Centre in Human Stem Cell Therapies at McMaster; the Peter Boris Chair and Centre for Addictions Research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare; and a new surgical robot for St. Joseph’s.  Owen Boris died suddenly in 2011, but his spirit lives on as Marta and children Les and Jackie continue to make Hamilton healthier.

Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese

Known in many countries as simply “Dr. Jean”, Jean Chamberlain Froese is an internationally recognized expert and champion for women’s and children’s health. In 2005 she founded Save the Mothers, a Canadian-based charity that trains East African leaders to improve pregnancy and childbirth. Since then, with her family, the part-time Ancaster resident has lived most of the year in Uganda. Dr. Jean’s work has earned her great distinction, including awards from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Joseph’s Mission Legacy Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.

The Honourable C. Raymond Harris

Ray Harris’ contributions to Hamilton span five decades as a lawyer, advocate, activist, civic leader and justice of the Ontario Superior Court.  As a young lawyer, his pro bono work with displaced property owners was forbearer of Ontario Legal Aid.  As Harbour Commission chair, he settled a decades-old dispute that had long frustrated many. The Gore Park fountain is a community focal point thanks to his role in efforts to restore the monument while chairing the Downtown BIA. Hamilton children are the beneficiaries of his talents as a performer with Hamilton Lawyer’s Club, whose theatrical productions raise money for kids. For all of these reasons, Ray Harris is a distinguished man of Hamilton and welcome Gallery inductee.

Steve Paikin

Born in Hamilton, Steve Paikin has become one of Canada’s authoritative reporters, authors, filmmakers and commentators. He is the face of TVO, hosting The Agenda nightly, must-viewing for those wanting to hear from the world’s leading politicians, newsmakers and opinion-shapers. In addition to his broadcast work, Steve has written five books including a history of hockey. His many award-winning documentaries include films on former premiers Bill Davis and John Robarts and a film on returning to the Warsaw Ghetto. Steve lives in Toronto and returns frequently to Hamilton to visit his parents and cheer on the Tiger-Cats.

Norman Brian Preece (posthumous)

As president of Stanton Pipes, Norman Preece served on many corporate boards helping steward Hamilton’s business community.  As a member of the Civic Hospitals Foundation, he helped raise funds for the new Hamilton General. A member of the board, he oversaw the merger of Hamilton’s two healthcare systems and the creation of Hamilton Health Sciences, also serving as its inaugural chair. With the passing of son Mark, he worked tirelessly to create Mark Preece House, a home for families of critically ill patients next to the General. A respected family man, leader and volunteer, Norman Preece died in 2006 and enters the Gallery posthumously.

The Hamilton Gallery of Distinction was founded in 1984 for the purpose of permanently recognizing outstanding Hamilton citizens, past and present, who have made significant contributions towards the betterment of our community.

Hamilton Gallery of Distinction Wall is now located on the 3rd floor of the Hamilton Public Library. A volunteer board of directors oversees the Gallery and the annual induction event.

Tickets to the Nov. 12 gala are available at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, (905) 522-1151 (ext. 100).