A Clarke's Beach businessman and local charity supporter has been presented with a Queen's Jubilee Medal for his service to both his community and his country.
Ernie Mugford, owner of MountainView RV Park, says he was honoured to be nominated for the prestigious award, which was presented to him by Avalon MP Scott Andrews. The ceremony was held at the Don Roach Lions Community Centre in Bay Roberts on Sept. 8 during a season-ending dinner attended by more than 200 of his seasonal campers, family members, friends and local civic officials.
Mugford's contributions have spanned a period of 47 years when he first joined Branch 32 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Bay Roberts. He has remained a member ever since and for the past 10 years has served as membership chair and helped to bring the branch membership to 180.
But his contributions haven't stopped there. He has served as a minor hockey coach for the past 20 years, throughout Canada and Europe. He led two of those teams to Newfoundland championships. He coached a Canadian girls' ringette team in a tournament held in Switzerland and introduced that sport to Switzerland and Austria.
He served 37.5 years in the Canadian Forces and retired with the rank of sergeant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. His military medals and award include CD 2nd clasp, Queen's Jubilee Medal UN Peacekeeper, UN Cyprus Peacekeeper and SSM with NATO bar.
In his post-military years, he has continued to fight, often overcoming great adversity, to create his successful tourism-related business in his hometown. This business contributes substantially to the local school lunch program and to the Clarke's Beach youth program.
Submitted by Mike Flynn
