Eric Hornsey moved to Rimbey in 1970.
It was a move he has never once regretted.
Hornsey was an employee with new Holland Equipment when he came to Rimbey. The young man and his wife, who has since passed away, moved to Canada from England 10 years previously.
When Hornsey moved to Rimbey he decided to not only live in the community, but to be come part of it by volunteering his time, talent and energy to a number of worthwhile organizations.
He joined the fire department as a volunteer fire fighters, remaining on the department for 20 years.
He also joined the Legion, which was a natural for him, as he had served in the British Air Force, spending two and a half years in Germany with the occupational forces after the war. He also became a member of Rimbey Fish and Game Association.
Presently he remains with the Legion and also is a volunteer with the Rimbey Historical Society.
Getting involved is the right thing to do, said Hornsey, who believes in community and helping out his neighbour.
“It is great to be part of such a fine community,” he said. “People here are very friendly and it is nice to be able to work with them.”
Hornsey believes the logo, ‘Rimbey, the International Friendly Town,’ is very true of this community.
The long time Rimbey resident thinks volunteerism is alive and well in Rimbey, but he notes that many of the residents are getting older which plays a toll on the volunteers.
“A good lot of volunteerism is done by seniors in our area.”
Hornsey, who has two adult children, several grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, won the lifetime achievement award sponsored by Rimbey Co-op at the Chamber of Commerce’s awards night, held Oct. 19.
Teri Ormberg from Rimbey also won the award.