Sidney Margles chosen CSL's Volunteer of the Year

By Joel Goldenberg, October 17th, 2012

Former radio broadcaster, former Town of Mount Royal Councillor and current Côte St. Luc resident Sidney Margles was chosen by the City of Côte St. Luc as its Volunteer of the Year, and recipient of the Edward J. Kirwan Trophy for “exceptional contributions” to the local parks and recreation program.
Margles is currently president of the very popular Côte St. Luc Senior Men's Club, has also volunteered in the city's volunteer Citizens on Patrol (vCOP) program and “served as an unpaid consultant” when the Aquatic and Community Centre on Parkhaven Avenue was built.
“Sid is an outstanding resource for Côte St. Luc because of his professional experiences in broadcasting, communications and municipal affairs,” said Mayor Anthony Housefather. “I have known Sid since I was an infant and I have always respected his dedication to community affairs. He has always been one of my most important mentors.”
According to a city statement, Margles “began his radio career at CJAD in 1959 during his third year at university. He broadcast news live at the scene, which was a new concept at the time. He covered many of the major events in Montreal during the 1960s and 1970s. He eventually shifted to management and administration duties. He retired from Standard Broadcasting in 1997.” Margles was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009.
“I have always felt that you should give back something to the community in which you live, and that is why I became involved in the Men's Club,” Margles said in a prepared statement. “I was taken by total surprise and never expected the recognition, although it is much appreciated.”
At the Côte St. Luc Senior Men's Club, Margles has been instrumental in promoting culture to the members, as well as increasing the visibility of the club itself, by “launching a summertime series of operas and movie nights, creating caps and t-shirts to promote the club, expanding summertime outings - including theatre trips to the Segal Centre, Upper Canada playhouse in Morrisburg, Ontario - and trips to Ottawa and Quebec City.”
The Kirwan award is on display at the Aquatic and Community Centre.n