This July at our very own Oakpark Church the King Charles III Coronation Medal was awarded to a local legendary volunteer Desmond (Dez) Peplinski. This award was created to recognise the outstanding contributions of selected recipients to their communities. The Medal was presented by our Member of Parliament the Honourable Shuvaloy Majumder and the ceremony was attended by many of Dez’s family, friends, and neighbours.
Desmond’s life and work stand as a wonderful example of how to live well and make the world a better place. Starting with his years of working in public service for the federal government, Dez made it his mission to always look for better ways of doing things, creating efficiencies and helping to lift up those around him. Ultimately though Dez found directly helping in his community was the most effective way to make life better for the most amount of people. From finding jobs to those without, furnishing a home for new immigrants, or pairing the right resources with the right needs Dez’s generosity of spirit has touched many. In doing so he has made our community and our world more just and inspired those he interacts with to continue his legacy of giving back.
Most recently Dez has worked with the volunteer group Helping Hands, a local group collecting and delivering necessities like food, clothing, and household items to 130 families. Dez has done such work for decades now, as for years it was his front room at home filling with donations. His friends and neighbours knew that Dez was the man to give to their contributions so each would reach the right people in need at the right time. Not just physical donations though, Dez was always the man to come to find job when the economy crashed, or an English teacher for newcomers to Canada. His philosophy of giving a hand up has paid real dividends as he’s watched those formerly in need succeed enough that they can give back in our community as well. He has created a legacy of giving that continues to grow.
Talking to Dez you may not immediately realize what a great man he is. Humble and sweet, he is hesitant to take credit for all the good he’s done. Dez will tell you about the work of others and always speak about the generosity of spirit of his much-loved late wife Loyola. He’ll quote her too, with her oft spoke: “What are we on this earth for if not to help each other?”. Wise words to live by and an example we can all aspire towards, thank you Dez.
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