Gooding honoured as Citizen of the Year

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman and Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy presented Gooding with the official certificate and mementos for being named Citizen of the Year for 2026. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The terms giving, humility, and caring were repeated throughout the evening as people gathered to pay tribute to Scott Gooding as Tillsonburg’s Citizen of the Year for 2026.

A ceremony held in the Lion’s Den on June 10 honoured Gooding’s contributions. He was cited for his many contributions to the town, the impression he made on students’ lives at Glendale High School, his years coaching, raising money for children’s cancer research, starting the Friends of Glendale program and making a difference.

The night was hosted by Carrie Lewis, chair of the town’s Museum, Heritage, Culture and Special Awards Advisory Committee. She, too, noted Gooding’s accomplishments, saying she was proud when her daughter, Scarlett Robson, received the Scott Gooding Spirit Award at Glendale last year.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman was imprssed by Gooding’s lengthy list of contributions made to the community, and pointed out it has been more than just last year that Gooding has been giving.

“It’s a great thing to celebrate because he’s been working his whole life to get here this evening,” Hardeman said.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy said she heard of the affection and admiration people have for Gooding, including from her daughters and many residents, who told her he was the correct choice for the award.

“I often heard the same heartfelt words over and over,” she said, listing off professionalism, thoughtfulness and caring.

When Gilvesy phoned Gooding to tell him he was citizen of the year, he was humbled.

“That humility speaks volumes of your character,” she said to him.

The mayor lauded Gooding for his impact on his colleagues, students, and those he coached.

“Through your compassion and leadership, you have touched countless lives, likely into the thousands,” she said.

Fellow coaches and teachers Derek Partlo and Lee Janzen jointly paid tribute to Gooding. Partlo initially knew Gooding as a student.

“He was the type of guy who walked through the halls and took an interest in all of the students,” Partlo said.

Then, working with him as a colleague, he said Gooding made work enjoyable. They were both in guidance, where Partlo said Gooding was a tough act to follow.

“I don’t know how anyone can meet the standard he set with his caring attitude,” he said.

Janzen spent a lot of time coaching soccer with Gooding. He said their style could be called “good cop, bad cop type of coaching.

“I was the bad cop by default because Scott was so nice,” he lamented.

Student Taylor Donck thanked Gooding for supporting her throughout her entire life, including after she graduated from high school.

“Over the years, I’ve seen him have an impact on so many people, including myself,” she said.

Cayla Thornton was one of the players Gooding coached with the Tillsonburg Titans.

“He taught us to work hard, support each other, and work as a team,” she said.

Thornton said retirement didn’t slow Gooding down, and he still found ways to give back, including his community giving posts on Facebook.

“Once again, he is lifting others up and increasing the sense of community around him,” she said.

Speaking to Gooding, she said, “Our community is stronger because of you, and we are all better for knowing you.”

Former co-worker Julie Fleet looked up the criteria for Citizen of the Year, and commented Gooding checked all the boxes. She said his positive influence on people has a ripple effect.

“It moves on like a ripple in a pond,” she said. “Scott was the drop that continues to spread.”

When Gooding retired, Glendale High School created the Scott Gooding Spirit Award in his honour.

“When the Scott Gooding Spirit Award was named after him, he was humbled and surprised. No one else was surprised,” Fleet said.

Taking the microphone, Gooding said he was humbled to receive the award.

“I really don’t believe I am deserving of it,” he said. “There’s so many amazing people in this community.”

He thanked former student Samantha Helsdon for nominating him, and his parents for instilling the importance of giving back to the community.

“The thing I learned was we all have something special to give to the world,” he said. “Mine was a connection to people.

Explaining further, he said his way of making a difference is to talk to people, smile, and be kind to people.

Kudos were also given to his wife Kathy, and children Mariah, Josh and Kaitlyn for their support.

He also talked about his efforts to raise money for children’s cancer through the Great Cycle Challenge and to start Friends of Glendale to help cover the cost of busing, sports, and extracurricular equipment for the school.

Gooding said that if, as individuals, everyone changed one life, the world would be a better place.

“I think I have done that; I hope I have done that,” he said. “If we all did that, imagine what we could do.”