A new plaque honouring long-time Rotarian Charles Cliffe has been unveiled just steps from the accessible playground at Bellevue Park that he helped champion.
Better known as Charlie, Cliffe was the third-generation owner of Cliffe Printing and served the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie for 66 years, including as president and district governor. He died in 2022.
On Wednesday, Cliffe's family and his Rotary family were in attendance as a plaque was presented in his honour at Bellevue Park to celebrate his service and highlight the club's ongoing investment in the park, which totals more than $300,000 to date.
Cliffe's daughter Joanne Boucher said the recognition is an honour that her father would be humbled by.
"He was so passionate about what he did in everything in life, but Rotary really was like his fourth child. He really put everything into it," said Boucher.
Brian Robertson, past president of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, said the accessible playground at Bellevue Park was a project near to Cliffe's heart and it's fitting for the plaque to be located just steps away from it.
"Like anything else that Charlie did, he put his whole heart into it," said Robertson.
He said Cliffe held many nicknames, including 'Mr. Rotary' and 'Charlie Chip,' which he earned in his years of operating the French fry stand during Community Days.
When Robertson took on the role of district governor, he leaned on the experience of Cliffe, who previously held the position and served as a mentor to him.
"It's not an easy job. You've got 61 clubs to visit and you're travelling for the best part of the year out of a suitcase, but Charlie dedicated his time to Rotary and to Sault Ste. Marie," said Robertson.
In his remarks during the unveiling, Robertson thanked Cliffe's family, including his wife Lorna, children and grandchildren.
"Charlie's contribution cannot be merely a plaque on a stone. We need to give recognition to the family and the support that they've given him over the years for his many years of contribution to Rotary."
"Charlie not only was a true Rotarian in service above self, his inspiration to others was a main factor in him being recognized here today," said Robertson.
Boucher said there were many interesting experiences growing up as the daughter of a prominent Rotarian, including when the club hosted a number of international delegates when she was young.
"We hosted some people at our humble little house and these people were from all over the world. There was maybe a handful of them but every family took the group in Rotary because it was a big event.
"After that, he got wedding invitations to go to Hong Kong and places all around the world just because people could see his genuine nature," Boucher said.