Mayors Awards celebrate decades of Distinguished Voluntary Service

Applause echoed through Jasper’s municipal council chambers on April 21 as three longtime volunteers were honoured for quietly shaping the community behind the scenes.

This year’s Jasper Mayor’s Awards, awarded in all three cases for Distinguished Voluntary Service, was presented to three recipients: Gregory Deagle, Darrell Savage and Ann Thomas, each recognized for decades of commitment to making Jasper a stronger, more connected place to live.

“It is council who is the arbiter of the nominations and selects the recipients,” Mayor Richard Ireland said. “It is a very happy duty, though sometimes conflicting, because we do often receive a great many nominations.”

Gregory Deagle

Deagle, a founding member of the Jasper Artists Guild, has spent more than 25 years nurturing the local arts scene.

Instrumental in establishing both the Guild and the Jasper Art Gallery, he has long been a familiar face in the community—both as an accomplished artist and as a mentor, teaching a range of artistic mediums. A past recipient of other local art laurels, Deagle’s influence continues to shape Jasper’s cultural identity, fostering creativity and connection through the arts.

Darrell Savage

Savage’s legacy, meanwhile, has also been “cemented,” Ireland said. For decades, he has been the driving force behind the vision for a world-class skate park in Jasper. Through persistent advocacy, fundraising and hands-on involvement, Savage helped turn that vision into reality.

Along the way, he became a mentor to a generation of local skateboarders, helping fundraise for and design not just the $1 million park, which opened last year, but foster a welcoming community. His enthusiasm and dedication have left a lasting mark that will benefit Jasper’s youth for years to come, Ireland said.

Ann Thomas

The gallery heard that Thomas’s volunteer resume spans an extraordinary range of community organizations. From her work with the Jasper Seniors Society—where she produces a weekly newsletter keeping seniors informed and connected—to her long-standing involvement with the Jasper High School Band Parents Association and the Jasper Park Tennis Club, her impact is wide-reaching.

She has also played key roles with the Jasper United Church, the Jasper Seniors Housing Society and the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives, where she has helped lead major fundraising efforts, including the annual Festival of Trees. Whether organizing events or sorting recyclables to support local initiatives, Thomas is known for her tireless energy and unwavering positivity.

Together, Ireland said, the three recipients represent the spirit of volunteerism that continues to define Jasper—quiet dedication, lasting impact and a deep commitment to community.

“All three of the recipients were identified as champions,” Ireland said during the ceremony. “And indeed, they are champions of the municipality of Jasper in one form or another.”

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com