Resident of the year: Dr. Eldon Comfort!

Dr. Eldon Comfort, 98, a resident of Chartwell’s The Gibson Retirement Residence in North York, Ontario, received the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) 2011 Resident of the Year award during their annual “Together We Care” convention in partnership with the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA).

Incredibly humble, Dr. Comfort accepted the award with a message of hope and purpose for the audience: “This award is a great honour and an even greater surprise,” he said.  “I am just an ordinary guy who did a few ordinary things.  There are so many others deserving as well.  But I ask of each of you to not lose sight of the opportunity and power you have to support a peaceful outcome to the many conflicts that continue across the world.”

Dr. Comfort was recognized for his contributions as a teacher, peace activist and volunteer.  Following his service in WWII, Dr. Comfort returned to Canada determined to find a better way to resolve conflict.  He has been an active member and volunteer with the Canadian Peace Alliance, Veterans Against Nuclear Arms, and Amnesty International among other peace organizations.

In 2001, he was awarded his Honourary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Victoria for peace activism.  He also worked as a teacher and principal for 40 years including, in the early 1960’s, as a teacher-trainer in Africa.

Dr. Comfort was profiled in Chartwell’s Honour book last year (www.honourourveterans.ca) and continues to be a tireless volunteer at The Gibson, including coordinating the annual Remembrance Day service.

“We extend our congratulations to Dr. Comfort on this award,” said Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT.  “As a father, friend, and volunteer, he continues to contribute in such selfless ways to those around him and is a man whose efforts have inspired many.”