Longtime Terrace resident Dr. Don Strangway was awarded with the Order of Terrace during a special meeting last night at city hall.
“The Order of Terrace is a fraternity of merit that recognizes people who have made a positive and significant difference to our community,” Mayor Dave Pernarowski explained when giving the award, saying that it is given in recognition of service to the community and outstanding contribution to the well being of Terrace.
“A lot of accomplishments, very worthy of the Order of Terrace,” Pernarowski said of Strangway, listing a few of his accomplishments; Strangway is the hospital’s chief of staff, has helped with hospice for 10 years, is a supporter of arts and culture through the local symphony and music festival, and is a benefactor to Knox United Church.
“This is an unexpected honour,” Strangway said. “Terrace has been very, very good to me - wonderful people, wonderful support.”
Strangway has been practicing medicine in the northwest for almost 40 years, starting his northern stint in Hazelton in 1970 before moving to Terrace. He left here for the first time in 1993 after being a general practitioner and working in the emergency room at Mills Memorial Hospital.
“That was my first retirement,” he said, smiling.
After that it was a year and a half in Bella Bella, then six years in Castlegar in general practice and surgery.
His ‘second retirement’ came in 2001, when he moved back to Terrace.
That’s when he joined the rural locum replacement program and ended up travelling to the Nass Valley, Houston, Prince Rupert, and even Bella Bella sometimes to lend his expertise.
“It was very stimulating,” he said, explaining that he had to be on his toes the whole time.
He figures he got to know most of the patients in the area through his work in different communities and had the chance to work various jobs. These last few years he’s been a part time practitioner and chief of staff.
Strangway is planning on moving to Vancouver in the fall to be closer to his family.
The 75-year-old Strangway said with this move, he may be thinking of retiring.