2002 Inductees: Eric Pittman
Category: Founder
|
ERIC PITTMAN is 91 years of age, and is the oldest living Charter member of the Kiwanis Club of St. John's. He is the Charter Secretary of the Club and continued to be a very active member until moving, with his wife, to Halifax four years ago. He did this to be near his daughter. Presently he holds Senior Membership status in the Club, and still maintains a keen interest in Kiwanis activities. He regularly receives a copy of the Club Bulletin and keeps himself informed about all that is going on back here in his home town.
|
In his professional life, Eric was Secretary-Treasurer, and later President, of the Newfoundland Margarine Company, continuing employment with that firm until his retirement.
Eric, along with other founders of the Kiwanis Music Festival Association, realized that if it were to become the success, and provide the assistance to participants that they envisioned, a positive relationship with individuals in the business community was necessary. To this end, he worked tirelessly in the early years of the Festival, to develop relationships with the business and philanthropy community. It was largely through his efforts as the first Treasurer of the Music Festival Association that support by way of scholarship donations and the purchase of advertising space in the Official Programme, that the Festival became financially feasible. Following the first Music Festival in 1952, $1200 in scholarships was awarded to deserving participants; a sum which, at the time, was certainly not insignificant.
Without the tireless efforts, devotion, and dedication which Kiwanians like Eric Pittman brought to founding the Kiwanis Music Festival in St. John's, it would doubtless never had grown to attain the longevity and success that it has.
We are proud to be able to honour a fellow Kiwanian tonight, as we induct ERIC PITTMAN into the Kiwanis Music Festival Association of St. John's HALL OF HONOUR in the FOUNDER CATEGORY.
[ top of page ]
|
-