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Water rescue team founder's family accepts award in Victoria

A LIFETIME achievement award was given to a late Terrace resident for his commitment to Water Rescue volunteering here.
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THERZA MANDUR accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award from Emergency Management BC for her late husband Joe Mandur Sr. in Victoria May 30.

A LIFETIME achievement award was given to a late Terrace resident for his commitment to Water Rescue volunteering here.

Joe Mandur Sr. had been nominated for the award by Terrace Water Rescue here posthumously and his widow Therza and son Joe Jr. accepted it on his behalf in Victoria May 30.

The following writeup went with his award to explain how it came about.

In 1989, Terrace and its neighbouring communities were shocked by the tragic death of a young boy who drowned in an icy pond.

In response to this terrible loss, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award recipient, Joe Mandur, approached several members of the local dive community to form an aquatic search and rescue team.

This small group of five grew into the Terrace Water Rescue Team, which is now recognized by the RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, Emergency Management BC, and Department of National Defence.

Joe’s expertise, leadership, and experience over the past 20 years were foundational to the team’s ability to provide life saving water and surface ice rescue services to Terrace, nearby communities, and across the province.

As a leader, Joe was recognized as a humble, highly skilled, and patient mentor who eagerly encouraged, supported and trained more than three generations of Water Rescue Team members to do their jobs safely with precision and excellence.

Sadly, Joe passed away recently after his own heroic battle with cancer.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy of commitment, community service, and the respect and gratitude of all those that he knew.