Hay River (Mar 06/06) - Al Schofield continued a tradition of surprise and modesty by winners when he was named Hay River's citizen of the year, Feb. 24.

"I don't deserve it," said the 75-year-old. "I don't do anything anyone else wouldn't do."

However, others beg to differ, including Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey who nominated Schofield for the prestigious Alfred Mansell Citizen of the Year Award.

In announcing the winner, Delorey said Schofield has done an awful lot for the community over 50 years and is very deserving of the award.

"Whenever there is a need around town, Al is there to do it," Delorey told people gathered at the annual banquet of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the honour.

Delorey recalled one incident when Schofield, who was then working for the Department of Transportation, rescued people with a loader during the 1963 flood on Vale Island.

Schofield said it is an honour to receive the award. "And a total surprise."

However, he says he doesn't really want to be recognized for his volunteer efforts.

"I don't do it for that," he explains.

Schofield first came to Hay River from Alberta in 1949, when he was just 18, to fish on Great Slave Lake. He returned for another fishing season in 1952.

In 1957, he returned for good and worked as a heavy equipment operator.

Over the years, he was a founder of the Hay River Kiwanis Club in the 1970s, a Scout leader for a decade, and has been a member of the Hay River Housing Authority for 20 years and chair for the last dozen years.

Schofield also helps families with funeral arrangements by preparing bodies for burial and driving the hearse.

In 1961, he began a 30-year career with the Department of Transportation, first as a heavy equipment operator and later as a foreman and project superintendent. These days, he operates A & B Enterprises, which does building maintenance, snow removal and contract management.

Schofield says he loves living in Hay River.

"The people are so friendly. I couldn't think of living anywhere else."