Club weekly meeting -February 18, 2016

The Rotary Club of Toronto Forest Hill was truly privileged to have listened to a presentation by former Toronto Argonaut star and Founder of the Edmund Hilary Foundation, Zeke O ' Connor. 

The six foot four inch tall 90 year old, looking distinguished in his navy blazer,  delivered  an entertaining talk about his life in the CFL complete with recorded interviews with Johnny Essaw of CFTO recorded at the time. 

He spoke emotionally of a chance encounter with Sir Edmund Hilary that led to the founding of the Sir Edmund Hilary Foundation,  a cause that has absorbed the later part of his life. Following several trips to Mount Everest,  he has been a tireless promoter of causes supporting health and education in the Himalayan communities. Schools and hospitals, staffed by teachers and doctors who have returned to their roots to serve following completion of their studies on Scholarships funded by his foundation, have made incredible differences in the high mountain villages. 

However the work is never ending as they now struggle to rebuild after the destructive earthquakes that shook the area recently. 

Zeke O'Connor, awarded Paul Harris Fellowships twice for his passionate dedication, and who continues to work tirelessly for his cause,  is truly a man making a difference in the lives others.