A gentleman: Ollie Toomey served his community with grace and selflessness

Not just any award is named after Ollie Toomey.

When the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce chooses to honor someone who has made a momentous contribution to the community -- and someone who volunteers tirelessly for the betterment of Wayne County -- they award him or her the Ollie Toomey Outstanding Service Award.

To know Ollie Toomey was to respect and to admire him.

He was a man who led with honor and dignity and who inspired others through his own example of hard work, selflessness and compassion for others.

He supported his community not by talking about what needed to be done to improve it -- but by actually being the one to lead to charge to accomplish it.

There was never a service project that was too much or too good for Ollie Toomey -- and he made sure that others were there to serve as well.

But as with most people who are quality individuals, the last thing he wanted was to be the center of attention or to have his efforts acknowledged in any way.

Case in point: He had to be tricked into attending a chamber ceremony in his honor to create the award that bears his name.

Had he known what was coming, friends said, he would have refused to come.

And that is the sign of a man who has his priorities in the right place.

Service was not a banner to be waved for Mr. Toomey. It was a duty, a responsibility -- and a calling.

He served his community with a happy heart and the contentment that comes with knowing that you are making a difference.

And that is all that mattered.

So while the 2002 Cornerstone Award was likely a thrill, and the Ollie Toomey Outstanding Service Award was an honor he appreciated, Mr. Toomey did not need either.

And that is the very definition of the servant leader. Being there for his community and seeing the results of that work were thanks enough.

There have been and will be other leaders in this community -- and they will achieve great things as well.

But there are many of us who could learn a great deal from the man whose kind manner, determined spirit and gentle persuasion drew people to him and encouraged them to follow him.

We talk a lot these days about how few people get involved in their communities. They say they are too busy.

Mr. Toomey would not have accepted that excuse. That was not how he lived his life.

His gentle answer would have been that there is nothing better than being of service to others -- that nothing enriches a life more than giving your time and energy to a calling beyond yourself.

He has left a legacy -- in the projects he spearheaded, the work he pushed through and the politicians he cajoled into action. He will live on in the community advancements that would not have happened if he had not decided he was going to work to make sure they did, and then inspired others to join him to make those visions a reality.

And those who knew him have a responsibility, too -- to carry on his work.

He would have expected nothing less.

Published in Editorials on March 14, 2015 11:49 PM