How does an organization appropriately acknowledge more than four decades of dedicated service to its cause?  When president emeritus John Pearce advised his TAA colleagues last summer in a brief e-mail that his health no longer would permit him to maintain an active role, that question immediately arose.  The answer came from vice-president Ashley Morton: establish an annual award in John’s name to recognize outstanding public transportation advocacy.  And, let’s further honour John by naming him as the first recipient.

So it was that following the TAA fall board meeting on November 18, a delegation visited the Dartmouth seniors complex where John and his wife Karen now reside to personally present the annual award plaque and the recipient’s “keeper” trophy.  It was obvious during the brief ceremony that, although age and health issues have forced him to the sidelines, they have not diminished his commitment and enthusiasm for the cause.

John joined Transport 2000 Atlantic in the mid 1970s, served for many years as its president, and remained an active volunteer and board member as the organization rebranded itself as Transport Action Atlantic.  His primary focus was always passenger rail, and until less than a year ago he could be frequently found in the Halifax VIA station, promoting the cause and chatting with passers-by and railway employees.

The John Pearce Award will be given annually to a group or individual demonstrating outstanding effort in the field of public transportation advocacy.  A selection committee will be established to invite nominations and choose the winner each year.