Gary West: Giving back to the community he calls home

Gary West is a dedicated community volunteer whose passion for agriculture and helping others continues to make a difference. Diane Danen photo

By Diane Danen

For readers of the Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette, the name Gary West is a familiar one. Week after week, West can be found at community events throughout the area, capturing photos and sharing stories that help keep residents connected and informed.

Whether it's a local fundraiser, agricultural event or community celebration, chances are West is there. In fact, many of the events he covers are ones he would likely be attending, helping out as a volunteer.

Born in 1952, West grew up on a dairy farm 12 kilometres east of Stratford. Like many rural youth, he was actively involved in local sports, 4-H and Junior Farmers. He attended North Easthope Public School and later graduated from Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School.

Following high school, West attended college to study journalism and worked in radio broadcasting for several years. Those who know him would agree he has a natural gift for conversation. Though a career in broadcasting seemed like a perfect fit, West eventually returned to agriculture. He worked for Western Ontario Breeders for six years before partnering with his parents on the family dairy farm.

Gary and his wife, Brenda West, represent the fourth generation of the West family involved in agriculture. In 2003, Westlandyn Farms transitioned from dairy to egg production and is now home to more than 41,000 laying hens.

Gary and Brenda West have two children, Adam and Amy. Their daughter, Amy, lives in British Columbia with her husband, Dan, and their son, Bennett. Their son, Adam, along with his wife, Danielle, and their children, Dylan and Sophie, are carrying on the family farming legacy. With Adam now managing the day-to-day operations of the farm, Gary West has more time to devote to community involvement and volunteer work.

His friendly nature, genuine interest in people and willingness to lend a hand have helped Gary West build lasting friendships throughout the community. He is the kind of person who considers everyone a neighbour and is always ready to help when needed.

Gary West's desire to give back to his community was inspired by his mother.

"It was in my blood," he said. "My mom was always helping people, and I guess I learned that from her."

Over the years, Gary West has served with the Stratford and District Agricultural Society, the Shakespeare Optimist Club, the Shakespeare and Community Athletic Association, Ontario Animal Breeders, and the Egg Farmers of Ontario.

Gary West has also served on the Alzheimer Society of Perth County board of directors and volunteers with Family Services Perth-Huron Hospice Services, visiting palliative-care patients in their homes. He is a familiar face at countless fundraising dinners, community events and charitable initiatives throughout the area.

One of Gary West's most impactful initiatives began with a simple idea. Wanting to help address student hunger, he started providing ready-to-eat hard-cooked eggs to a local school. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Today, the program supplies approximately 1,000 eggs each week to more than 140 schools across Perth and Oxford counties and the Region of Waterloo, helping ensure students begin their day with a nutritious breakfast. For Gary West, seeing children enjoy the eggs and benefit from the program makes all the effort worthwhile.

Gary West is known for being a huge supporter of local causes. Whether he is selling tickets for community fundraisers, promoting local events, or quietly helping neighbours through difficult times, he is always willing to lend a hand.

After volunteering at the Stratford and District Agricultural Society food booth on Saturday mornings, Gary West often takes time to visit friends and neighbours who may be going through a tough time, delivering baked goods purchased from local vendors at the farmers' market. These simple acts of kindness reflect his genuine concern for the people in his community.

His contributions have not gone unnoticed. Over the years, Gary West has received numerous honours and awards, including Stratford and Area Citizen of the Year in 2013, induction into the Stratford Perth Museum Agricultural Wall of Fame in 2018, the Egg Farmers of Ontario Get Cracking Award, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pin in 2022, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2023. He has also been recognized by the Perth County Federation of Agriculture for his outstanding contributions to agriculture and rural communities.

Despite the recognition, Gary West remains humble. He is quick to credit the many volunteers and organizations that work together to make local communities thrive. Gary West says he feels privileged to be part of such a caring community.

Whether he's volunteering at an event, delivering eggs to local schools, supporting a fundraiser, visiting a neighbour, or covering a story for the Gazette, Gary West is a senior that continues to make a difference in his community.