Tom Bonneau recognized for lifetime of service while receiving 2025 Essex Citizen of the Year

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

Tom Bonneau’s parents, and older siblings, instilled within him a sense of community service when he was young; a torch he would carry and help light the way for others during their time of need into his adulthood.

  He was recognized for a lifetime of service to the community – through a variety of streams of volunteerism – during the 2025 Essex Citizen of the Year banquet hosted at the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201) on Saturday evening.

  Bonneau was nominated by the community – then further selected by the Citizen of the Year Committee – to be this year’s honouree because of his impressive resume of volunteerism.

One of his roles over the years has been the Knights of Columbus rep on the Essex Citizen of the Year Committee, going over nominations from the community for the annual recognition program.

  Since he has resigned from the Citizen of the Year Committee, and because he has been nominated for the award a couple of times over the years, the Citizen of the Year Committee decided now would be a great time to bestow this honour onto Bonneau.

  His interest in giving back to the community stems back into his early childhood, when he joined the Squires at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. When he aged out of that program, he stepped into the Knights of Columbus as a member, taking on a variety of executive positions over the years.

  He was also a Training Officer with St. John’s Ambulance going back to when he was in high school, where he was responsible for the ongoing training of all of the volunteers who provided first aid coverage at public and private events. He was also a first aid and CPR instructor for many years.

  He is a member of Community Living Essex County’s Ruthven Apple Fest Steering Committee, Chief Counselor for the Columbus Squires, and a retired Captain with Essex Fire & Rescue. He joined the local fire service in 1990, where he was not only dedicated to ongoing lifesaving training and responding to calls for service, he also helped organize the Essex Firemen’s Association convention when it was held in Essex. He retired from this service in 2023 as a Captain, a role he took on in 2000.

  Bonneau is one of the first to volunteer and help out when there is a need, Peter Youngson said, who took on the role of event emcee this year. He is also the Knights of Columbus rep on the Citizen of the Year Committee.

  He joked that while Bonneau does not know how not to be in charge, he is also the guy who talks to others about getting involved and volunteering.

  “If there is something good happening in town, Tom is probably involved,” Youngson said.

  He described Bonneau as calm, compassionate, and professional, “the guy you want in your corner when you need him.”

  Bonneau is there to help in any way he is needed.

  “He’s not a guy who wants to be recognized,” Youngson noted, adding he was responsible for getting Bonneau to the Essex Fun Fest, for the announcement. He called the role “a chore,” because Bonneau had a sneaking suspicion he was to be selected and he is not big on being recognized.  

  On behalf of the Town of Essex, Mayor Sherry Bondy and Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley attended, with Bondy noting Bonneau’s dedication to Essex Fire is no small feat.

“You spent a lot of time keeping the community safe,” she said.

  If something is going on in the neighbourhood, “all of a sudden, there is Tom at the door,” Tony Malkowski, President of Heritage Essex, added. “I’ve always considered him a great friend.”

  Jim Wallace of the Rotary Club of Essex noted when he first joined Rotary in ’91, Tom’s Dad, Dick, was a Rotarian. He was sure Bonneau’s Dad “would be pretty proud of you.”

  Doug Bonneau is not only one of Bonneau’s older siblings, but Grand Knight of the Holy Name Knights of Columbus Council. He spoke of his little brother’s involvement with the K of C, which extends back around 40-years.

  In addition to being involved on the executive, volunteering for its fish fries and Bingos, Bonneau was on the 75th anniversary banquet committee, and help organize the recent new coats for kids pasta dinner to raise funds for warming gear for clients of the Essex Area Food Bank and the St. Vincent de Paul, and Veterans.

  “Tom’s the reason I’m a Knight,” Doug said, noting his little brother stepped up to be Deputy Grand Knight when he became Grand Knight. “He’s the glue of the past, present, and future of the Knights of Columbus.”  

  Doug added he is proud to call Tom his brother, and noted he is also the glue that keeps the family together by hosting get togethers.

  Fellow Firefighter Brandon Chartier spoke of Bonneau’s commitment to Essex Fire & Rescue and the Essex Firemen’s Association, where he also held many roles, while helping to raise thousands of dollars that went back into the community.

  He was a “familiar face to those in a time of need,” Chartier said, adding he is also a source of knowledge and leadership to those new to the Association.

  Brother Mark Bonneau also spoke on behalf of his family, noting the whole family is proud of the youngest member of the Bonneau clan. He was also sure their parents – Dick and Jeanette – were looking down that evening and were pleased to see him honoured for his efforts.  

  “I didn’t do anything for recognition,” Bonneau said.

  Humbled to receive the Citizen of the Year Award, he noted everyone who has received it left their mark on the community.

  “I didn’t start a food bank, run a youth centre, or was mayor during hard times,” Bonneau said, commenting on past winners. “They saw a need and were there, selflessly.”

  He spoke of volunteerism going back generations in his family.

  “Not much happens in Essex without a Bonneau.”

  Right now, he said, the world needs help. Many choose not to get involved, wrapped-up in their own lives.

  He also spoke of being lucky to have lifelong friends from the organization in which he is involved.

  Credit was also extended to his wife, Deanna, for the support that allowed him to be involved in the community as he loved to be.

  Every year, since 1978, Heritage Essex hosts the Essex Citizen of the Year banquet as a fundraiser for the historic Essex Railway Station, which it maintains. It does so with the help and support of the Essex Legion, the Rotary Club of Essex, and the Holy Name Knights of Columbus (3305).