City Loses Quiet Champion

PRINCE GEORGE — The City has lost a quiet champion. Long-time volunteer Tom Dielissen past away on January 25th. He was a man who became known for his willingness to volunteer his time unselfishly. Tom Dielissen sat on the board of several local arts and cultural organizations over the past few decades.

But he is likely best known for his involvement with the Exploration Place. In the Spring of 2016, his volunteer work was recognized with a BC Community Achievement Award. And later in the year, he received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General along with words of recognition.

“He was the first to put his shoulder to the wheel when the real work needed doing,” recalls Tracy Calogheros, CEO of Exploration Place, where Tom served as a Board member for 25 years. “It didn’t matter how mundane the job or how complex the situation, he was there with class and effort. Often he was the first one in and often he was the one turning off the lights and locking up at the end. Always, his tone was smooth and his smile came easily even if things were difficult.”

“I can’t think of a time when Exploration Place didn’t have an open relationship with Tom. Ever since I’ve been a part of this facility, so has he. He was a member of our board for almost 25 years, and for 20 of those he was the chair. No one has shown leadership at this special operation quite like he has – not on the board, not on the staff. A lot of people around here go the extra mile, but Tom got there first and went a little farther.”