The Boys and Girls Club of Saint John, according to the late Vernon McAdam, was the first of its kind in Canada. During many decades, though love and devotion, it has helped thousands of Saint John boys and girls to become good Canadian citizens.
Its success was only made possible by the Rotary Club who provided a dept-free building and dedicated people who gave of their cost-free time, talent and money in order to create continuous miracles.
Fearing that the knowledge of these people and their unselfish deeds would become unknown to new generations, the Officers and Board of Directors on April 17, 1985, created the Order of The Master Builders of The Boys and Girls Club of Saint John, Inc which would record their names and worthwhile contributions.
It was also decided that, from time to time, a picture and short biographical sketch of each to be placed on this table.
Today we happily remember one of these
MASTER BUILDERS.
This year’s recipients…
JC Robert Lockhart - 2017
JC Robert Lockhart was welcomed to the Board of Directors of The Boys & Girls Club of Saint John, Inc. in 1988.
Robert immediately assumed a leadership role on the Board of Directors by serving as Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee from 1988-1990. Mr. Lockhart accepted the position of 2nd Vice President in 1990 which he held for 2 years. From 1992-1993, he served as 1st Vice President. Robert became the 18th President of The Boys and Girls Club of Saint John, Inc. in 1994, a position he served well for two terms: 1994-1996. From 1996 to 2006, Robert has served as Past-President, Chairperson of several committees including Technology, Transportation and Governance.
Robert’s outstanding volunteer work for the Boys and Girls through the Rotary Club is seen by many major projects over the years: acquiring $75,000.00 in 1989 for Club renovations in celebration of Rotary’s 75th birthday; he was instrumental in acquiring Rotary’s support for the purchasing of a new van in 1990; and his co-chairmanship with Heinz Schaerer Heinz SchaererHeinz Hhhhhhhhh of the Rotary Building Project which raised $400,000.00 to fund major building renovations in 2000, the year of the Club’s Centennial celebrations. Robert was also responsible for the donation from some colleagues at NBTel of the Club’s first computer.
The Boys & Girls Club of Saint John recognized Robert as a very deserving recipient of the Bronze Keystone Award of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada for long and devoted service to youth on April 26, 2006.
During Robert’s year as President of the Rotary Club of Saint John, the Rotary Admiral Beatty Project was undertaken by the Club to save it from the wrecking ball. But Robert’s most proud moment as a Rotarian was recognizing his family, Carolyn, Robb, Bradley, Shelly, Spencer and Katie, with Paul Harris Fellowships at Christmas, 2014.
Robert began his career with NBTel in May, 1969 working for Gerry Pond in the Saint John Business Office, and was transferred to Newcastle the end of that year as the Area Manager, the youngest person to ever hold this position. Robert and Carolyn moved back to Saint John in 1973, and he held many management positions until his retirement from Aliant Telecom in December, 2000. During his career, Robert was involved in the development and implementation of many of the service improvement and mechanization projects that made NBTel recognized worldwide. Upon retirement, Robert established Lockhart’s Consulting Inc. specializing in the Implementation & Integration of large new services like TV within the Telecommunication industry. Robert is very proud of the fact that his “first boss” was Gerry Pond, and Gerry was his “last boss” when consulting for Mariner Partners.
Robert married Carolyn A. Gourley on August 22, 1970 in Kentville, N.S. They have two sons Robert B. Lockhart in Halifax and Bradley A. Lockhart and his wife Shelly in Quispamsis, as well as two grandchildren Spencer and Katelyn. Robert & Carolyn now reside in Plumweseep outside of Sussex, and enjoy spending their summer at the cottage at Belyea’s Cove with their grand daughter Katie and her parents, and taking winter vacations south with the family.