Order of Ontario for George Gross

By Don Goodwin

Sports Media Canada’s founding president, George Gross, has been selected to receive the prestigious Order of Ontario.

Gross

Gross


George was invested to the Order by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman during a ceremony at Queen’s Park on March 31.

The Order of Ontario recognizes and honours those who have enriched the lives of others by attaining the highest standards of excellence and achievement in their respective fields.

Twenty-seven deserving Ontarians will receive the award for 2003, bringing the total number honoured since the Order of Ontario was first presented in 1987 to 373.

George was cited as a founder of Variety Village, prominent Toronto sports editor and activist and tireless campaigner on behalf of children with special needs.George was a long-time chairman of the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner which raises thousand of dollars for the Crippled Children Fund.

Among those honoured with George on March 31 are Canada’s golf star Mike Weir, former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino, leading author and publisher Anna Porter and retired senator and veterans’ advocate, the Hon. Jack Marshall, a former member of Parliament.