Honouring a Strathmore legend

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

As the Strathmore Legion prepares to host a very special 90th birthday celebration on June 29, the community is taking a moment to honour one of its most dedicated residents: Gordon Prusky.

From a long and respected teaching career to decades of service through the Lions Club and countless other volunteer roles, Prusky has spent his life giving back to the town he calls home.

“I’ve always believed in putting more into the community than you take out,” said Prusky, reflecting on a lifetime of service. “That’s just the way I was raised.”

Born in 1935, Prusky grew up in the prairies and began his teaching career in the 1950s. Over the years he became a beloved figure in Strathmore classrooms, known for his fairness, sense of humour and commitment to helping every student succeed.

“Teaching wasn’t just a job to me,” he said. “It was a calling. If I could help a kid find their way, even just one, that was a good day.”

From volunteer firefighting to helping bring Strathmore its first ambulance, Prusky’s dedication has left an enduring mark. 

“It became painfully obvious that if you were sick by the time Calgary got here, got to you and got you to the hospital, it’s almost two hours,” said Prusky. 

With the support of the community, and determination, he and fellow Lions members secured a vehicle and raised thousands of dollars to create Strathmore’s first locally operated ambulance service. 

“That’s the type of cooperation we got from this community,” he said.

His love of youth and sport was equally foundational to his life. Prusky was involved in the Wheatland Coaches Association for 30 years and helped bring high school rodeo to town in 1971. 

“We had a high school rodeo, probably one of the first ones, and it was very successful,” he said. “The community of Strathmore is fabulous for helping.”

Over his remarkable 47 years involved with high school sports, Prusky saw local rodeo athletes go on to compete and win at the national level. 

“In 2017 we had two winners on the National High School Rodeo Association,” he said with pride. “I just sparked it to continue … I had nothing to do with that. These were kids, but I just made the paperwork available.”

A key figure in shaping the Strathmore Agricultural Society, Prusky helped coordinate land acquisition and vision for what would become the Ag Grounds area. 

“We went across the road to WID property and they said, ‘well, if these other people said no, Gordon, I think we’re going to have to say no,’ so we bought the property (where the Ag grounds currently resides).”

After retiring from education, Prusky didn’t slow down. He turned his energy toward community involvement, most notably with the Strathmore Lions Club.

“I joined the Lions because their motto really spoke to me: ‘We Serve.’ I figured what better way to stay active and connected?” he said.

Prusky has been a Lions member for 69 years and continues to serve today. 

“Here I am right this very minute watching people volunteer,” he said. “We’ve got probably 25 people from another organization processing these glasses so we can send them to the Third World. That’s the type of good feeling you have. There’s no magic formula. You just show up, do your part and care about the people you’re helping.”

The legacy of his dedication is also recognized at Strathmore High School, where the Gordon Prusky Award of Merit honours exceptional student athletes. 

“I had nothing to do with the award itself,” he humbly insisted. “I didn’t ask for it. I would have never asked for it. They just said, ‘we’re going to recognize this person,’ and they did.”

Though he’s reluctant to take credit, those who’ve worked alongside Prusky know his leadership has inspired countless others. From fundraisers to facility planning, school programs to emergency services, his impact on Strathmore is inspiring.

The upcoming celebration at the Legion isn’t just a birthday party, it’s a community tribute. Friends, former students, fellow Lions and family will gather not only to mark a milestone birthday, but to recognize a lifetime of service.

Prusky, ever humble, says he’s grateful more than anything. 

“I’ve had a good run,” he said. “I’m just glad I was able to be part of this town and maybe make a small difference along the way.”