Norwich chamber Citizen of the Year Brodie McCooeye’s million-dollar smile reflected back by appreciative community

The Township of Norwich Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Brodie McCooeye (centre) is flanked by nominator Rick Baxter (left) and Lindsay Tribe (right), representing award sponsor Shoppers Drug Mart. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Brodie McCooeye may not be a millionaire.

But he has a million dollar smile.

And was rewarded to see its warmth reflected back by an appreciate community during the Township of Norwich Chamber of Commerce Awards Night Wednesday, April 15.

“I like to help out,” explained the recipient of the chamber’s 2026 Citizen of the Year Award inside the Norwich Community Centre hall. “I love people.”

Moving to Norwich in 2013, the now 20-year-old McCooeye quickly found a home community through a generous, observant nature, love for helping out and the willingness to introduce himself to everyone he meets, intentionally building connection.

Brodie works at the local Tim Horton’s, enjoying basketball, bocce ball, corn hole and bowling with Special Olympics Ontario.

He is a member of the Momentum Choir in Hamilton, a professional performance ensemble comprised of over 100 individuals with physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities. McCooeye is a featured soloist, including performing ‘If I Had A Million Dollars’ onstage with the Barenaked Ladies during a Momentum performance, is working on King of the Road for this year’s June 12 concert in St. Catharines, and also embraces the microphone to perform Karaoke whenever possible.

Brodie volunteers with several community organizations including the Optimist Club of Norwich & District, showing up consistently and enthusiastically to help out at Easter egg hunts, the tractor pull, free skates and the fishing derby. He is a proud and active member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 190, supporting events with trademark energy and smile.

“I like doing all of it,” said McCooeye.

He is also a loyal and proud member of the Norwich Merchants organization, helping out at home and riding the team bus to away games, proudly wearing his red-and-white Merchants gear.

“They’re very nice and they do a lot of stuff for me,” said Brodie, who enjoys spending time with the team’s trainer in particular. “Rick Baxter is a great person to hang around.”

The Merchants may hold a special place in McCooeye’s heart, his award introduced and presented by Baxter and ‘The Voice of the Merchants’, Rick Boyd. Two of Brodie’s favourite players, Brandon and Gavin Balazs, were part of a strong Merchants contingent on hand to support both McCooeye, and executive member Peter Luciani, who received the Judy Cayley Memorial Award for his contributions within the township.

With Brodie in demand for a series of selfies, his mother Amanda expressed thanks on behalf of her son to Baxter, Boyd and the chamber committee responsible for much-appreciated recognition.

“I think he feels like a millionaire because of all the connections he’s made in the community,” she said.

Claire McKie was named Junior Citizen of the Year, with Kelsey Van Ymeren receiving a Special Achievement Award. A long-time hockey player and coach, Van Ymeren organized the ‘Slash the Stigma’ charity hockey tournament in support of mental health, following the tragic passing of one of his players. Across its five-year history, the event has raised $185,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley.

Andrew and Deb Malcolm of Malcolm Holdings Inc./Malcolm Excavating received the 2026 Large Business Award, with John Snook of the Norwich Home Hardware Building Centre taking Small Business honours. The Oxford Cattle Company’s John and Genevieve Ysselstein and family were recognized as the Farm Family North Township, with Clair and Kathryn Doan’s Doan Family Turkey highlighted as the Farm Family South Township.

Chamber president Mardy Fransen enjoys the annual celebration of the diversity and strength within the township’s citizens and businesses, pleased also to see this year’s awards event run at maximum capacity.

“It was nice to see the community engage in such a wonderful, long-standing tradition.”