Two Tri-City residents who are leaders in their fields will be in good company as they are invested this fall with the Order of B.C.
Yesterday, Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon announced Gloria Cuccione of Coquitlam and Hall Weinberg of Anmore will receive the province's top honour, along with former hockey coach and manager Pat Quinn, artist and writer Douglas Coupland and real estate magnate Bob Rennie.
A total of 370 people have been bestowed with the Order since it was introduced 25 years ago.
Cuccione, whose Coquitlam charity, named after her late son, has raised millions of dollars for childhood cancer research, said the news has yet to sink in. Collecting cash through the Michael Cuccione Foundation "has been a joint effort," she said, noting in particular the efforts of her husband, Domenic. "We look at the numbers and continue to be amazed at the results.... If Michael were alive today, he would have survived [cancer]."
Cuccione said she will carry something with her from Michael when she accepts the Order at Government House on Nov. 6; her family and foundation board members will also be at her side.
Also receiving the Order will be Weinberg, the first mayor of Anmore, who is being recognized for his local government work as well as his contributions to brain research. The SFU professor emeritus set up the university's brain behaviour lab and was the director for the office of research ethics for 15 years as well as Anmore's mayor for 30 years. Now retired from both jobs, Weinberg serves on the board of the BC Drug Benefit Council.
The Order "is an honour. I wasn't expecting it," said Weinberg, who said he will be joined at the ceremony by his two daughters.
