JOAN JOHNSTON

Joan volunteered extensively in the Ottawa Chapter and with the Garden Centre Commodity Group. She also served as LO President from 2000-1. In her address to members at the 1999 AGM, Joan stated, “In this association, our survival and success in a constantly changing environment requires a deep commitment to developing the potential of each human being in our organization. One needs to communicate with a passion that people are what makes us successful, no matter what the endeavor.” She also emphasized the importance of education. “The currency of the next millenium may well be training.”

FRANK KEARNEY

When Frank took on the task of LO President in 1980, he championed the need to emphasize that Landscape Ontario membership is a symbol of quality. He sent out press releases to Ontario newspapers and other media to promote the association. When contacted in 2019 to ask about his time as president, Frank answered, “During my time as president, the North American industry was emphasizing ‘Green Survival’ and the Nursery Marketing Council; it is interesting that this subject has regained prominence worldwide.”

GLEN LUMIS

As a professor of landscape horticulture in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Guelph, Dr. Glen Lumis became well known throughout the landscape profession. He educated hundreds of individuals who went on to take up full-time careers in the landscape and nursery industries. He was also a researcher who provided knowledge and assistance to growers and landscapers on numerous topics from the effects of wire baskets to root systems of caliper trees. Glen was a cornerstone of LO’s Growers’ Sector Group and a contributor to the annual Nursery Growers Short Course for many years.

JAMES McCRACKEN

When James became LO President in 1981, his focus was on expanding the membership community. He wrote, “The only way all of us improve is by being reminded of the necessity to improve. Our trade members, in becoming more innovative and efficient through an exchange of ideas and methods of performance with fellow members, become proud of their individual reputations in the trade… Being a member of Landscape Ontario is an important step in fulfilling your responsibility to your career.”

BURKE McNEIL

In 1972, Burke facilitated meetings with representatives of the Ontario Garden Maintenance and Landscaping Association (OGMLA), Ontario Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA) and Ontario Nursery Trades Association (ONTA), which helped to establish a dues structure, select a name and establish the financial viability of a single, combined association. It led to the formation of LO. At the first general meeting of Landscape Ontario on March 28, 1973, Burke became the first-ever recipient of an Honorary Life Membership in Landscape Ontario for his work as Chairman of the Unity Committee.

PERRY MOLEMA

Perry was an avid gardener, talented landscape designer and Canadian ponding pioneer. A long-time member of LO, Perry spent years as president of both the Windsor and Toronto Chapters. An innovator and supporter of the water gardening revolution, he became the Canadian Sales Director for Aquascape. Many met Perry or attended one of his seminars as he actively worked with Aquascape and LO to educate, motivate and inspire those in the business. Tony DiGiovanni wrote, “Perry Molema described our customer/ public mission very well, when he said, ‘We are in the business of enhancing lives.’

LENO MORI

An article that appeared in the Aug. 18, 2019 edition of the Niagara Now newspaper read, “Leno Mori smiles at the thought that some people consider him Niagara’s Johnny Appleseed. The builder of one of Canada’s largest and best-known nursery businesses estimated that almost half of all the fruit trees in Niagara were supplied by Mori Nurseries.” Leno was a president of the Ontario Nurserymen’s Association in 1960. He received the Trillium Award in 1991 — given only in exceptional circumstances for outstanding contribution in the field of horticulture, such as the development of a new plant or technique, or for the design of an outstanding project.

JOHN NORTHWOOD

John was considered a wonderful mentor to many pioneers of the landscape industry. His passion for quality landscapes, especially for trees, inspired many. Over the years, John won many Landscape Ontario awards, including the Past Presidents’ Award in 1989, Environmental Award in 1999, and the Alumni Award in 2005. From 1971-75, his company Lakeshore Landscape Associates won the first five Dunington-Grubb Awards at the LO Awards of Excellence.

PAUL OLSEN

Paul was a longtime contributor to LO, serving as President in 2006-7. Tony DiGiovanni wrote, “When an LO President completes their term, they traditionally receive a ceremonial gavel and a president’s ring. Paul did something different. He gifted the association with a large granite sign in celebration of our 25th anniversary. It still adorns the entrance of our home office and will always be a reminder of his legacy. It’s Paul’s rock.” Paul was also instrumental in the founding of Canada Blooms. In 2007 he received the LO Honorary Life Member designation.

PETER OLSEN

Peter was a founding member of LO, serving in many capacities including President in 1986. He was remembered with a ceremonial tree planting to honour the memories of three past members whose work “Benefited the future of generations working in the industry.” He was remembered along with John Wright and Casey van Maris. The Olsen family established a scholarship fund in Peter’s name to help budding horticulturalists further their education.

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