Community loses passionate environmentalist John Gilbert

Caledon has lost a local businessman, Chamber member and environmentalist.

John Gilbert passed away Nov. 26 with his family by his side at Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville. John's long battle with cancer was courageous and an inspiration to all.

Funeral services were held in Orangeville Friday.

Gilbert was recently named the Town's and CEAC's Environmentalist of the Year for 2007.

Gilbert was one of those amazing individuals who never stopped giving to the community in so many ways, across all levels of his personal and business life.

In 1989, John and his wife Corinne moved to Caledon and started to get involved in the community. In addition to running a leading edge company - Metalon Technologies - John found time to be involved in many activities.

He joined Caledon Hydro as a director in 1998. After Hydro was sold, he joined Cool Caledon as a committee member and brought his extensive engineering and business experience to help direct and secure funding for the COOL agenda, including the Electricity Doctor program, Kil-O-Watt Meter Library program and the Caledon Energy Show.

Gilbert joined the Caledon Chamber of Commerce and was a board member of Caledon Countryside Alliance.

He showed leadership on all fronts, including taking on initiatives such as the 2006 Housing and Community Design Expo.

He was founder and operator of Metalon and ensured his company boasted high environmental standards. The company has a pollution control plan through the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement. The company was honoured with the Greater Dufferin Chamber of Commerce 2006 Business Excellence award for the environment.

Gilbert was one of those people who woke up every morning and tried his best to make the world a better place for everyone.

During his acceptance speech at the volunteer appreciation evening, Gilbert, in his humble and gratuitous manner, extended praise to others. He lauded the love and support of his wife and family and the efforts of Karen Hutchinson, of the very active Caledon Countryside Alliance.

He admitted he was flattered and honoured to be given such recognition. He offered praise for the mayor, councillors and Town staff, noting if there's no one to take a leadership role and implement strategies, nothing will ever get done.