Cooper named Tillsonburg's citizen of the year

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Former broadcaster and radio personality Doug Cooper has been chosen as Tillsonburg’s citizen of the year.

Cooper is a longtime volunteer with Special Olympics Tillsonburg, where he’s coached baseball, basketball and golf. He’s also the president of the board for Community Living Tillsonburg and advises the local People First advocacy group.

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“Doug has been a tireless volunteer with Special Olympics and Community Living, as well as a number of other organizations,” Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar said in a release. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Tillsonburg has become a more inclusive, accessible community because of his ongoing efforts.”

Cooper has been involved with a number of minor hockey teams as a coach, trainer and general manager. He has also provided leadership in the Scouting movement and was a key organizer of the OPP Torch Run.

Cooper has also had an impact provincially, serving as vice-president, and later director-at-large, for Community Living Ontario. He has contributed to several committees, including chairing the conference committee.

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Collette Takacs, the chair of the town’s cultural, heritage and special awards advisory committee, said the award goes to an individual “who makes an outstanding contribution to the town.”

Cooper spent 32 years as the program and operations director at Tillsonburg’s Country 107.3 and Easy 101.3 radio stations. He also hosted the popular Sunday morning memories program until his retirement in 2018.

He is general manager of the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s North Middlesex Stars, managing their website and promoting their hockey program.

Cooper will be presented his award at a later date.

Tillsonburg’s cultural, heritage and special awards advisory committee accepts nominations for citizen of the year throughout the year.

All nominations received within the last three years will be reconsidered for 2021. For more information, people can visit: www.tillsonburg.ca/citizen.