Holman (May 01/06) - It's no wonder Patrick Joss does so well handling the customers who come to the Northern store: his smile is so large it'll instantly win you over.

It won over the Northern store so much the company sent him to Winnipeg headquarters for four days in mid-March to accept a "Recognizing Excellence" award for customer service from the North West Company.

The Ulukhaktok resident says he'd been to the 'Peg before, but was still thrilled to go for the company pat on the back.

Joss, who's worked for the store for three years, does a little bit of everything.

He stocks shelves, helps bag groceries and, of course, helps customers.

"He's the first guy here in the morning and the last guy to leave," says manager Tony Demerah.

Indeed, the manager seems to be Joss's biggest fan.

"He deserved it," the manager said of the award.

"He's one of the hardest working workers we have. He always accepts the job he has to do. Whether that's cleaning floors or stocking shelves, he's happy to do it."

One area where Joss has made an impact is the store's Selections department, where people order special items into Ulukhaktok that are ordinarily not available.

"He has a good interaction with the customers," Demerah said of how Joss helps customers place their orders, then calls them when they arrive.

"This really helps out because, before, the orders might sit for a couple of weeks with the customer not knowing," Demerah said, while Joss was busy answering questions for someone who just came into the store.

"He really brought customer service up a little bit. As a result, the store is busier," Demerah said.

"The people love seeing him here."

But work is work. Then there's helping out elsewhere.

Joss also chips in to assist at Ulukhaktok's airstrip if there's anything that needs doing. Or you might find him at Helen Kalvak Elihakvik school.

"He was a helper at the last circumpolar games," said Demerah.

"He's all around."

On his own time, Joss likes to watch wrestling on TV, or now that it's getting warmer and sunnier, you may find him out on the ice fishing for char.