2015 Recipients of the Medal of Merit

Bill Campbell

In 2007, J.W. (Bill) Campbell was honoured by the Halifax Regional Municipality with the prestigious Paragon Award. In his acceptance speech, Campbell said he would like his grandchildren to know that their granddad was part of the team that cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. Since that time and, indeed, long before, Mr. Campbell has been steadfast in his commitment to that goal. His efforts to improve people’s lives in the areas of non-profit housing projects, and shelters for the vulnerable and homeless are well known throughout the province. Mr. Campbell is the president and founder of Bills Lane Housing Development in Charlottetown, a not-for-profit housing project containing twelve geothermally-heated town houses, plus one apartment building. Perhaps not as widely recognized is Mr. Campbell’s dedication to combating poverty through microloans to those with business ideas they wish to develop on Prince Edward Island, and to internationally trained workers living in the province who need financial assistance to upgrade their credentials to Canadian standards. He is the president and founder of Canada Microcredit Educators Group. Mr. Campbell’s dedication to making a difference in our community has not gone unnoticed. In addition to the Paragon Award, he has received the Canada Volunteer Award and Medal of Honour, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, among others. The Order of Prince Edward Island is a fitting addition to acknowledge his contributions to Prince Edward Island.

Gerald Sheldon Dixon

Gerald Dixon is recognized for his inspirational leadership and foresight in the classroom, on the basketball court, throughout the equestrian community, and in his home and neighbouring communities. Mr. Dixon was born in Summerside. He was a busy and active youngster with a love of animals, and most especially horses, which became a lifelong interest. Educated in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, Mr. Dixon began a full-time teaching career at Kensington Regional High School in 1970, retiring in 2001. His interest in teaching extended beyond the classroom, and school sports, with a focus on coaching basketball, became a major part of his life. In 1994, he was recognized by the Island Basketball Association for his contributions to the sport, and in 2010, he was awarded the Three Oaks Christmas Classic Honorary Chair Recognition Award for thirty years of coaching basketball. Gerald Dixon’s interest in horses kept pace with his efforts for his students and their success. From 1957, when he bought his first western saddle, to racing his exceptional horses, Ak-bar and Flying MacKay Leo, in the following decades, to organizing the first meetings of the Abegweit Horse Association and much more, Mr. Dixon has been a dedicated and enthusiastic contributor to equine activities in the province. More broadly, his tireless efforts on behalf of the Crapaud Agriplex, starting in 2002, have resulted today in a popular, multi-use facility which is an integral part of the district. “The best asset any organization or community can have” has been used to describe Mr. Dixon and his capacity for vision, leadership, and love of sports and community. He is a worthy recipient of the Order of Prince Edward Island.

Dr. Charles St. Clair Trainor

Dr. Charles Trainor has set the standard for kind, conscientious and competent patient care. Following his graduation in 1964 from St. Dunstan’s University, magna cum laude, he pursued his medical studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Upon completion of his studies and internship, he returned to Prince Edward Island and opened a family practice in 1970. Just six years later, Dr. Trainor became one of the first Island physicians to be awarded certification by examination by the College of Family Physicians in Canada. He maintained an extremely busy family practice until his retirement in 2007. By that time, Dr. Trainor was caring for his third generation of patients, having looked after their parents and grandparents, a continuity of care that is extraordinary. A testimonial to the quality of his relationships with his patients was evident at his retirement party where many of them attempted to persuade him to postpone his well-deserved retirement. After leaving his office practice, Dr. Trainor continued to serve the needs of his fellow Islanders by working as a surgical assistant in the operating room at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as well as serving as the province’s Chief Coroner, a post he held from 1994 to 2015. His work in that regard began in 1983 when he was appointed as a provincial Coroner, and continued through the decades, as he trained and mentored the coroners under his supervision. Dr. Trainor invariably exhibited tremendous empathy and compassion for grieving families, assisting them in any way he was able, and was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with police, ambulance, funeral home and firefighting personnel. An active member of his community, he continues to contribute to the health and well-being of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Charles Trainor truly deserves this award for his lifetime of dedication to the people of the province.