The Town of Aurora's Citizen of the Year Award is an annual award recognizing the exceptional contributions made by a local citizen to our community. The Citizen of the Year Award has been awarded by the Town of Aurora since 1970. This individual is selected by the Office of the Mayor in consultation with a small group of dedicated community volunteers.
This award recipient has demonstrated all-round community involvement rather than specific activity or contribution.
Congratulations to the 2022 Citizen of the Year
Sam Saberi
Citizen of the Year Sam Saberi is a volunteer who has an unwavering love for Aurora and is a strong advocate for our local businesses.
He has been an Aurora resident for 23 years and has a passion for the restaurant industry and co-owns Tina’s Grill. He is invested in giving back to our community and providing support for the less fortunate through collecting Christmas toy donations, collecting funds for the people of Ukraine, helping a driver in an accident and more.
He created a Facebook group entitled Aurora’s Finest Restaurants. With over 2,000 followers, the group shares positive experiences with local restaurants and supports one another.
Many of his customers and friends have credited him as being a unique, genuine and caring person who has an incredible sense of community.
| Year | Award Winner |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
Eric McCartney |
| 2020 | Tom Connor |
| 2019 | Barb Allan |
| 2018 | Josie Kearney |
| 2017 | Peter van Schaik |
| 2016 | Mary Georgopoulos |
| 2015 | Diane Buchanan |
| 2014 | Beverley Wood |
| 2013 | Ron Wallace |
| 2012 | Brian North |
| 2011 | Jo-anne Spitzer |
| 2010 | Gordon Barnes |
| 2009 | David Tomlinson |
| 2008 | Susan Walmer |
| 2007 | Dorothy Clark-McClure |
| 2006 | Sylvia Gilchrist |
| 2005 | Bud Gilbert |
| 2004 | Phil Horsman |
| 2003 | Dr. John McIntyre |
| 2002 | Bob Hartwell |
| 2001 | Ken Smith |
| 2000 | Jackie Stubbs |
| 1999 | Vic Priestly |
| 1998 | Ferguson Mobbs |
| 1997 | Gerry Payne |
| 1996 | Steve Hinder |
| 1995 | Susan Gwilliam |
| 1994 | Dianne Harrison |
| 1993 | Wanda McKenzie |
| 1992 | Jack DeGraaf |
| 1991 | Bucky McLarty |
| 1990 | Arnold Miller |
| 1989 | Dick Illingworth |
| 1988 | Norm Stewart |
| 1987 | Nora McRoberts |
| 1986 | Fred Conklin |
| 1985 | Bill Coleman |
| 1984 | Lowell McClenny |
| 1983 | Dr. Leslie Oliver |
| 1982 | Vic Paraninfo |
| 1981 | Eric Smith |
| 1980 | Jack Williamson |
| 1979 | Omar Khamissa |
| 1978 | Bill Dinsmore |
| 1977 | Fred Bolsby |
| 1976 | Dr. Crawford Rose |
| 1975 | Rev. Homer McAvoy |
| 1974 | Jack Wood |
| 1973 | Don Glass |
| 1972 | J. E. (Dick) Buchanan |
| 1971 | Annebelle Black |
| 1970 | Bob Blick |
