It's now Dr. LaVerne Kindree C.M.
Dr. Kindree officially became a member of the Order of Canada, earning the medal and the title on Wednesday (Aug. 5), seven months after the award was announced.
On behalf of the Governor General of Canada, secretary to the Governor General and secretary general of the Order of Canada Sheila-Marie Cook presented the award to the benevolent resident at his Valleycliffe home.
"Dr. Kindree is an exceptional individual. He reflects the true spirit of the Order of Canada recipients that is they desire a better country," Cook said.
Dr. Kindree's wife Norma Kindree, his family, Squamish's mayor and several long-time friends from the community stood by his side and watched with pride as the country's highest civilian honour was pinned on Dr. Kindree's blue jacket.
Well known as a tireless worker on health and community issues for half a century, Dr. Kindree, 86, said he would continue working for Squamish.
"I will continue to work for the foundation at the hospital and raise funds to get a CT scanner for Squamish," he said.
Asked how he felt about the award, he said, in a lighter vein, he did not get a sound sleep previous night because "I just wanted to get going."
This year, Dr. Kindree was one of the 61 Canadians named to the Order of Canada on Dec. 28. Established in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes Canadians who have made exceptional contribution in different fields of human endeavour. Writer Margaret Atwood, former Prime Minister Lester Pearson and singer Céline Dion are some of the Canadians who have been awarded the Order of Canada.
The citation recognizes that Dr. Kindree was the region's sole physician for several years after first settling in 1948, was instrumental in the establishment of the Squamish General Hospital, and served for 42 years as a coroner - the longest term for a coroner in the history B.C.
He also conducted extensive fieldwork on Lyme's disease, which led the provincial government to declare it endemic to the region. He was also the founding member of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and was the founding chairman of the Squamish Hospital Foundation.
"It's a very proud day for all of us in Squamish. He has been a fabric of this community and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for what he has done for us," said Mayor Greg Gardner.
His further comments can be read in this week's Council Corner. Gardner said he first met Dr. Kindree in 1994 when he joined the Rotary Club, one of whose founding member was Dr. Kindree.
Gardner said Dr. Kindree struck him as a man of few words, but imbued with a lot of energy to take on new projects and see them to completion.
"I do observe people and he's kind of man who turns his thoughts into action and takes step to do something rather than complain. He is a man of action."
Dr. Kindree's close friend John Drenka would agree. Drenka has been a friend of Dr.Kindree for almost 50 years. He still remembers the enthusiasm with which Dr. Kindree was welcomed when he decided to make the town his home in 1948.
"He was welcomed by everyone because we didn't have a doctor and when the polio epidemic came along, he looked after everybody day and night. Anyone who called he would go to his home. We had no hospital, just his office," Drenka remembers.
Granddaughter Meghan Kindree also has some fond memories. Her's are of collecting the ticks that carry Lyme's disease to bring to Grandpa to help with his research.
That childhood interest, inspired by Grandpa, carries on for Meghan. She will be applying to medical school next year and one day, hopes to be a medical researcher like her grandfather.
"I just love listening to his stories about being a doctor and helping people she said. He really inspires me with his life," she said.
It is this legacy, of helping others, of being there for the community that Dr. Kindree continues to inspire in his family and in Squamish.
