Red Deer's Dennis Moffat has received national recognition for a more than 50 years of community-building efforts.
Moffat received the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Red Deer-South ML A Jason Stephan on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
"It was a highlight to surprise Dennis Moffat at his home with the King Charles III Coronation Medal," stated a post on Stephan's Facebook page.
"Dennis was a great high school teacher in Red Deer who went the extra mile coaching football and basketball. He was a City of Red Deer councillor for 27 years. He was the founder/operator of the The Market at Red Deer which continues to operate after more than 50 years. Most important Dennis has a wonderful family, married for 67 years to his devoted wife Barb. Congratulations Dennis."
Moffat said he was honoured to receive the medal.
"My kids and my wife knew (Stephan) was coming to present the medal to me, but I had no clue. I was surprised and thrilled at the same time," said Moffat.
Dennis and Barb Moffat moved to the City of Red Deer in 1961. In the early 1970s, Moffat was serving as a city councillor and working as a high school art teacher when he had the idea to launch an outdoor farmers market, which is now run by his children Patrick and Fiona.
"I picked this city as the place to raise a family. It was the right choice," Moffat said.
"It was the best decision of my life. Red Deer means everything to me. I've seen it grow — in our early days there were 15,000 people here and now it's over 100,000. I had a little bit to do with the city's growth over the 27 years I was on council. When I see all the things that happened while I was a councillor, it makes me very happy.
"It's a special community and it's the right place for me. I'm so blessed with having wonderful children and a wonderful wife. I've had a terrific life and to have a medal saying I've done some good here in Red Deer means a lot to me."
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation on May 6, 2023. It serves as a way to recognize individuals who have made a difference within their community.
"The medal will highlight themes that both King Charles III and Canadians hold dear, including service, the environment and sustainability, and our nation’s diversity," states the Government of Canada's website.
"A list of nominating partner organizations, representing a broad cross section of fields of endeavour, was approved by the Prime Minister. The partners will nominate recipients who meet the criteria and present their medals. The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, will administer the King Charles III Coronation Medal program."
