Kempf lauded at citizen of the year ceremony

Tillsonburg’s 2025 Citizen of the Year, Frank Kempf, accepted a plaque and certificate denoting his accolade from Mayor Deb Gilvesy at a ceremony on June 26 in the Lion’s Den. Jeff Helsdon Photo.

By Jeff Helsdon

Editor

Accolades were aplenty as the town honoured the man hailed as the keeper of Lake Lisgar at its Citizen of the Year ceremony on June 26.

Frank Kempf was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the town’s Museum, Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee from several nominees. Council endorsed the decision at a meeting earlier this year.

Accepting the award, Kempf said he was humbled and paid tribute to Pat Carroll and Tom Logan, who were behind the Lake Lisgar Renaissance Project in the 1990s, as inspirations.

Appropriately enough, Joan Weston, the committee vice-chair and a collaborator with Kempf on maintaining the lake, served as the evening's emcee. She explained the committee looked at the length of service of nominees, the uniqueness of their contributions and also how their service involves other people.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy, speaking on behalf of the town and Kempf’s nominators – Shane Curtis and Jush Matheson – started by emphasizing the importance of Lake Lisgar, saying it “has long been a source of beauty, recreation and community pride.”

When Gilvesy was first elected, she said Kempf contacted her and invited her to his home to share his knowledge on Lake Lisgar.

“His deep-rooted knowledge, unwavering commitment, and passion for preserving this local gem not only educated me but also provided a foundation that has made decision-making easier over the years,” she said.

Kempf’s initial goal was to reduce sediment in the north end of the lake, but he was also part of the committee that installed a new aeration system, and he protects turtles, including endangered species. He was a founding member of the Lake Lisgar Revitalization Committee.

Referring to the initial application put in by Curtis and Matheson, Gilvesy mentioned the hundreds of hours Kempf spends with a weed rake cleaning it up, planting aquatic species, assisting with putting on a concert with the Kinsmen with all proceeds going to the Hawkins bridge and helping Matheson with installation of the aeration every year. The application mentioned Kempf’s “years of selfless service to the Town of Tillsonburg.”

Curtis, who couldn’t be at the awards ceremony, e-mailed a statement, saying since he joined the Kinsmen, he saw “the leadership, passion, and time commitment Frank has put into the preservation of the lake”. Curtis mentioned when kayaking on Lake Lisgar with his children, they ran into Frank and they recognized Kempf’s passion for the lake.

Weston recounted the first time she met Kempf, saying it was in 2011, when Kempf, an OPP officer at the time, pulled up in front of her house. While she was worried why a police officer was looking for her, she recalled Kempf’s words: “He said you should join the Lake Lisgar Revitalization Committee.” She said that was the start of the committee.

In the 1990s, the Lake Lisgar Renaissance Committee raised money to install the gazebo and revitalize the lake. In the years after, Weston said a lot wasn’t done to the lake.

“Exactly the same thing the Renaissance people did had to be done again,” she said.

Growing up next to the lake, Weston has a long-standing interest in it.

“Last year the water quality was the best it has been in forever,” she said. “Those aeration pumps Frank installed have worked.”

She also mentioned Kempf picking up garbage from the lake.

“That’s something he does and no one knows,” Weston said. “He is always thinking of the lake.”

Kempf designed the rake mentioned earlier, and Weston said he puts the weeds collected on shore for wildlife to consume.

Prior to presenting Kempf with his award, Gilvesy paid tribute to Weston for working with Kempf to preserve the lake.

“Together, they have set an inspiring example of commitment to community service, proving that true stewardship is driven by love and an unwavering sense of responsibility,” she said.

“For years, Frank has stood as its guardian, its caretaker, and its champion,” the mayor added. “With steadfast devotion, he has nurtured and protected this beloved lake, ensuring that it remains a pristine and inviting space for residents and visitors alike.”

After accepting the award, Kempf gave credit to Weston for her support and noted the water quality improved.

“The water is clean and you can see to the bottom, you can see the turtles and fish,” he said.

And Kempf noted the number of people he sees by the lake is increasing.

“The number of people using the lake has exploded – fishing, kayaking, bird watching, turtle watching, or just people enjoying the view sitting by the fountain,” he said. “Volunteering is something that is rewarding in itself.”

Kempf’s dedication to the cause shone through when Weston presented him with a Lake Lisgar T-shirt. Admiring it, his first remark was selling the shirts would be a good fundraiser for projects on the lake.