Mundare resident recipient of Queen’s Jubilee Medal

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Long time Mundare resident John Chomiak, 83, was one of 24 people chosen by Canada West Foundation to receive a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in a ceremony Jan. 10 at the Petroleum Club in Calgary.

Chomiak’s lengthy career in engineering, in addition to his community mindedness, was highlighted in the introduction by Canada West CEO Honourable Gary Mar at the ceremony.

“John W. Chomiak has had a hand in nearly every high-profile Alberta engi- neering project since the 1960s, and his expertise is sought nationally and internationally,” said Mar. “He is still an active and dedicated community member and extraordinary fundraiser for impactful initiatives in Edmonton and Alberta.”

Chomiak’s daughters Darlene, Christine and Karen said they were all very proud of their dad.

“Dad mentioned that he was delighted seeing our mom's smiling face during the presentation. It meant the world to him as our parents always supported each other wholeheartedly,” Darlene said by email.

“We are all so very proud of our father for all his hard work and achievements. In our opinion, he is very deserving of a Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal.”

Darlene said that over the years, her dad has participated in several campaigns including helping to raise over $400,000 for the Cross Cancer Institute, working to integrate country music into the MacEwan University’s Faculty of Music, heading up the fundraising team during the leadership election for the past Premier Ed Stelmach in addition to serving as director for the Glenrose Hospital, ending his 12 years with the hospital as Chair.

Chomiak gradually retired as Chief Executive Officer from Hemisphere Engineering in 2020. Today, he and his wife Cathy raise cattle on their family farm near Mundare that was settled by Chomiak’s family, who came from Ukraine, in 1901.