Al Crawford - 2009 Community Award for Youth Service Recipient

Al Crawford was born in Toronto and raised in Burlington Ontario. As a young man Al attended Pioneer Camp in Huntsville and worked as the assistant head cook and canoe trip leader. He later became active in the Boy Scouts in Burlington and achieved the honours of “Queen Scout Gold Cord” and the “Bushman’s Thong”.

He later attended the University of Waterloo, where he played football for the Warriors, and obtained a psychology degree.

After Al received his psychology degree he proceeded to explore the world and travelled overseas. Al explored Asia for quite some time and then returned to Toronto.

Once back home, Al attended York University and obtained two degrees, one in Political Science and the other in Asian Studies. Then again Al left his home and travelled to Asia. Al went back to Japan where he continued with his studies at the University of Japan.

Upon Al’s return from Asia he worked for a mining company. This employment sent Al North to Elliot Lake to deal with the procurement of uranium. When Al was done working for this mining corporation he partnered with his brother-in-law in a private business venture “The Wearhouse”. The “Wearhouse” is a company which deals in “t” shirts and sport wear. It was during his work at the Wearhouse that Al first had contact with Law Enforcement officers. These officers were the officers that were running the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. There has been a long standing relationship between not only this business and the Special Olympics but also between Al and Law Enforcement ever since.

Al later joined the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department on a part time basis and organized the Inner City Outtripping Centre. He was later hired by the City as a full time recreationist.

Al was married in 1974. He and his wife have had two daughters. Each of his daughters have become University Graduates. Al instilled in his daughters a great love and respect for the outdoors. This great love and respect has been exceeded by both of them as outdoor enthusiasts.

Congratulations Al Crawford