A man described as a “run of the mill community resident” is the 2016 recipient of the Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s ring.
Barry Golay of Kamsack received the ring on August 6 at a Kamsack Team Penning competition held at the Blue Sky Arena at Benito. It was presented by Sherry Guenther, who had nominated him on behalf of the Kamsack Team Penners.
“When one thinks about the image of a volunteer or what volunteerism looks like, one may see an individual who gives his or her heart, soul, honesty, dedication and love of life to his or her community,” Guenther said in her nomination.
“Those adjectives may be summed up in one community-minded person who everyone in our area knows: Barry Golay,” Guenther said. “When I started talking to people and mentioned that I was nominating Barry for this award, other words to describe Barry were: upbeat, positive, bashful, selfless, always there and really giving of himself.
“He was even referred to as an all-around volunteer. The one word that really summed up Barry was ‘gentleman.’
“Barry is a run-of-the-mill community resident who so many organizations can count on to lend a helping hand each and every time. Barry doesn't stand out in a crowd and he doesn't look for attention or the spotlight to be placed on him. Barry does not look for validation. A thank you and quiet acknowledgment is all that is required; a gentleman.
“For the 12 years I served on the rodeo committee, Barry was a constant, reliable volunteer during rodeo weekend. He knew his role and was diligent to attend to his position and anything else that was required of him. I'm not even sure if he was contacted and asked to work yearly, we all just knew that Barry would be there quietly in the wings being a dependable, yet vital person to the committee and the rodeo.
“The same holds true for the Kamsack Team Penners and the Blue Sky Team Penning Club out of Benito. Barry has attended almost every competition and assists in any way possible. He is there the day before the event setting up the arena and the day after the competition dismantling. Barry has had a love of horses for as long as I can remember and that love is shown in his presence at the…equine events.
“Barry has been an integral member of the Kamsack Volunteer Fire Department for 25 plus years and has received awards of recognition for his contribution to the KVFD from his fellow peers. He was even applauded with a medal from Saskatchewan Protective Services for his volunteerism. With his love of being a volunteer firefighter you will even see Barry supporting fundraisers for the Benito Fire Department and being part of its brotherhood.
“You will find Barry in the Village of Veregin assisting groups and lending a helping hand. I recently spoke with Jeff Bloudoff who resides in Veregin and he told me this story of doing yardwork one day and there showed up Barry. Barry asked him what he was doing and all of a sudden Barry went back to his truck, pulled out some tools to assist and together they tackled the task at hand. He was not asked to help, that is just what Barry does, a gentleman.
“For approximately a decade Barry has been making trails for the Kamsack Snow Drifters. Barry has also volunteered for fundraisers for the Duck Mountain Ski Hill, sells tickets on behalf of the Kamsack Air Cadet Squadron No. 633 and has been known to work a bingo or two to assist the squadron on a Saturday afternoon.
“Barry is a service officer for the Royal Canadian Legion Kamsack Branch No. 24. A service officer is responsible for making sure a veteran and/or his (her) family that needs assistance is referred to the Saskatchewan Command which will in turn make sure that the individual/family receives the essential reinforcements to move forward. Jim Woodward informed me that Barry is the ‘go to guy’ that one can always count on. He shows up, no questions asked and asks where he can assist. You will see Barry at all Legion functions including Decoration Day and Remembrance Day.
“Barry Golay is the individual that you will see at every event in town and the surrounding communities. He is the person supporting groups, organizations and benefits for families in need. He is buying steak night tickets, raffle tickets, 50/50 tickets and anything else that raises money for the event. He is the guy that when he does win a prize or two or three, he will give them to the person beside him who didn't win. There is that word again, a gentleman.
“For the last few years Barry has been in the fight of his life, a battle with cancer. Where one person may give up, lose hope and the drive to live, Barry has looked forward, stayed positive and upbeat even when the news seemed bleak. He asks nothing from anyone yet he is the person that is supporting other families in crisis when he himself is ill and is wrestling his own crisis. Is there more of a gentleman?”
When speaking to people in regards to nominating Barry for this award, Guenther said that she heard repeatedly that ‘he is the man behind the scenes looking for little or no recognition.’
Golay is “a quiet person, a kind person, a sincere person who listens with respect, assists when needed and is generous in so many ways,” she said. “Generosity is not about flaunting money, being the person on top or in front of a podium, or having a title before or after your name; it is Barry. Barry is that generous person, a generous gentleman.”
