BONNYVILLE – “There is no better fit for our first inductee than Mr. Victor Ringuette,” said Salman Arabi, the board chair of the Lakeland Credit Union.
On Wednesday, June 8, a crowd of community members, along with local and provincial elected officials gathered in the foyer of the Bonnyville Lakeland Credit Branch to witness the unveiling of the Lakeland Wall of Distinction.
Before the Wall of Distinction was unveiled, Arabi described that there are people who continually show their dedication and love for their community through their leadership, contributions, and their overall attitude towards giving back.
“We want to celebrate and honour those individuals, and the amazing impact they have,” he said.
Choosing the late Victor Ringuette as the first inductee was an easy choice, Arabi expressed.
Over the years, Ringuette’s name became synonymous with unparalleled generosity, continued Arabi.
“B&R Eckel’s is known in the Lakeland not only for its trucks, but also for its generous sponsorship of community initiatives," he told those in attendance.
“In particular, Victor believed that the strong support of youth programs today would develop the strong community leaders of tomorrow.”
Moving forward, Lakeland Credit Union has committed to recognize inspiring members, past and present, from the community who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, significant contribution and dedication to the communities in the Lakeland region, every year.
Each fall, the Board of Directors of the Lakeland Credit Union will ask for nominations from their members and each spring the recipient will be chosen and announced at their annual general meeting.
“We are so honoured to have Victor as the first inductee of our Wall of Distinction in both Bonnyville and Cold Lake,” added Arabi.
Also speaking at the unveiling ceremony was Judy Cabay, Ringuette’s longtime secretary and friend, and Ringuette’s daughter, Roxanne Ringuette.
“Victor has built a legacy in Bonnyville and area,” said Cabay. “It will take another special person to walk a mile in Victor’s shoes.”
Following Cabay’s speech, Victor’s wife of 61 years, Greta Ringuette had the honour of unveiling the Lakeland Wall of Distinction, which was already fitted with a plaque dedicated to her husband.
The last lines of the plaque featured a phrase regularly repeated by Ringuette, “You do what you do, and you give what you can.”
The words that followed that quote were: “He was a man of his word.”
