Pigeon Lake resident George Stewart was recently presented with the King Charles III's Coronation Medal by Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin MLA Rick Wilson for his years of dedication coaching softball in Falun.
Born in Hana, Alta., in 1928, Stewart moved to Lakedell in 1935, and has lived in the Pigeon Lake-area ever since, according to Softball Alberta.
Stewart started coaching softball in Falun in 1970 and continued to coach for 25 years, taking his teams to seven provincial titles and 11 runner-up awards.
He's remembered as a passionate coach on and off the field, preparing the players before the season began with training at the Falun Elementary School gym.
His advocacy to the Famlun Committee to purchase a batting machine - which his team raised half of the funds for - benefitted the whole community.
Stewart also coached hockey in Wetaskiwin in the 70s.
"He made a real difference, a positive difference, in so many lives," said Wilson in a social media post.
Stewart was inducted into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 as a sports builder for his many achievements with the Falun Softball Program.
Four generations of the Stewart family were present for Stewart to receive the award.
Each MLA only received one medal to confer.
The Coronation Medal commemorates the coronation of King Charles as King of Canada.
The medal recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada, either on the national, international or provincial stage or within their own community.
