HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-11-29, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012. PAGE 13. Blyth’s Sparling honoured with Queen’s Medal
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb
awarded a handful of Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee medals on Nov. 14
and among the recipients was Blyth
entrepreneur and propane industry
pioneer, Grant Sparling.
Nominated by a collection of three
people who know him well,
Sparling’s name was put forward for
a multitude of reasons, including
contributions to his business, his
community and his country.
Sparling’s nominators were Blyth
United Church pastor Gary Clark,
former Blyth Festival Artistic
Director Eric Coates and Jim
Facette, president of the Canadian
Propane Association.
The nomination provides an
extensive list of Sparling’s business
accomplishments, as well as
examples of quiet acts of kindness
and financial support for people and
activities.
Sparling is a veteran of the Second
World War, he was a volunteer
firefighter for over 30 years, a
lifetime member of the Masonic
Lodge, a retired member of the
Lion’s Club and a current trustee,
and former elder and steward, at
Blyth United Church.
Over the years Sparling has
donated generously to dozens of
sports teams in southern Ontario,
while donating land for the sole
purpose of Blyth Minor Soccer.
Sparling was also the largest non-
government contributor to the
renovation project at the Blyth and
District Community Centre. He has
also been an advocate and a strong
supporter of the Blyth Festival since
its first season in 1975.
In 2003, Sparling became the first,
and only, person to be honoured with
the Crystal Flame, the Ontario
Propane Association’s lifetime
achievement award.
Born on the family farm in Forest,Ontario, Sparling grew up in thedifficult years of the Great
Depression and World War II and
due to the harsh realities of the era
he did not attend university.
Sparling’s natural math skills
however, did help him land an entry
level job with the Bank of
Commerce (CIBC), a job that, at the
time, had many suitors.
In 1943, Sparling reported to
Wolseley Barracks in London and
volunteered for the Army. After
enlisting, Sparling’s math skills were
discovered at Camp Borden in
Angus, Ontario, where he served
until the end of the war.
Sparling returned to Forest in
1945 where he earned a series of
promotions within the Bank of
Commerce and was soon transferred
to the bank’s main branch in
Kitchener.
However, before making the move
from Forest to Kitchener, Sparling
was sent to a struggling branch of
the Bank of Commerce in Blyth and
it was there that he was reminded of
the agricultural community of his
youth, and fell in love with its
people.
He would move to Kitchener, but
less than one year later, in 1950,
Sparling returned to Blyth, buying
one of the village’s two hardware
stores on Queen Street.
Sparling’s Hardware began
modestly, but soon began to add
products such as appliances and
propane cook stoves and space
heaters to ensure store traffic and
grow the business.
In 1951, Sparling began selling
propane as a convenience for
customers who bought a stove or
heater and Sparling’s Propane was
born.
Over 60 years later Sparling’s is
Canada’s oldest propane company,
and one of the largest in the nation.
Blyth is still home. Grant serves as
the company’s chairman, and he stillworks a few hours a day, five days aweek.
Sparling, along with a select
handful of other community
champions from throughout Huron
and Bruce Counties were honouredby Lobb in Wingham on Nov. 14 atthe Knights of Columbus Hall.
The awards are presented this year
to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s
Diamond Jubilee. They honour
significant contributions andachievements by Canadians.Earlier this year a set of the awards
was handed out at the provincial
level by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa
Thompson.
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A life honoured
Grant Sparling was honoured earlier this month with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal,
which was awarded in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary of her accession to the
throne. The ceremony, where several residents from Huron and Bruce Counties were
honoured, took place at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wingham. Sparling is seen above
receiving his medal from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and below wearing his medal for one of
the first times earlier this week. (Submitted photos)
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen