Cape Breton Business and Philanthropy Hall of Fame

Presented by Sydney Credit Union

In 2022, the Chamber, CBU, and AFP-CB, are proud to induct two honorees into the Cape Breton Business Hall of Fame, and one honoree into the Cape Breton Philanthropy Hall of Fame. These individuals were selected from a list of nominees submitted by both the public and business community in January/February 2022. Those chosen for the Hall of Fame are Cape Breton’s most esteemed business leaders and philanthropists who have exemplified business excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and community leadership, while paving the road for the future of Cape Breton leaders. All three of these individuals have committed their time, energy, and mentorship to their community, which has provided inspiration for other entrepreneurs and
community-minded individuals.

The 2022 Hall of Fame laureates for the Business Hall of Fame are Mr. Bruce Meloney, and the late Mr. Vic (Victor) AuCoin, while Mr. Stuart MacLeod will be inducted into the Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

A North Sydney resident, Mr. Meloney has owned and operated The Shoe Tree, now known as Rieker by The Shoe Tree, for over 30 years, continuing to lead the business through Cape Breton’s evolving economic climate. Mr. Meloney was also Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Chamber for several years, while also playing an integral role in the establishment of the Cape Breton Partnership, and the evolution of the Port of Sydney.

The late Mr. Vic AuCoin started Vic AuCoin’s Electric in the basement of his family home with his wife, Mary, and their children in 1979. The AuCoin Group, as it is known today, employs 25 full-time employees in their electrical division, and another 6 full-time employees in their alarm and surveillance division, while becoming one of Cape Breton’s premier commercial, institutional and industrial electrical contractors. Over the past 40 years, Mr. AuCoin completed projects for the Shannon School of Business, Hospice Cape Breton, Walmart, RCMP Ingonish detachment, among many more.

It may be said that Mr. Stuart MacLeod, President and CEO of MacLeod Lorway Insurance, runs his business, and lives his life with a motto of personalized service and connection to the community. Since 1979, the MacLeod Lorway philosophy has revolved around commitment to the community, and Mr. MacLeod, along with his wife Nonnie, have let their actions speak louder than words. For more than four decades, Mr. MacLeod has been supporting numerous causes on Cape Breton Island, including the YMCA Building Fund, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s Because You Care Cup, Girl’s Night Out Fundraiser in support of the Transition House, the African Orthodox Church, among many more. Mr. MacLeod mentors his own employees to continue to support their own causes, much like he has, and has set the example of a new generation of philanthropists to live their lives and run their businesses “the Stuart MacLeod Way.”

In honour of the inductees, a portion of the proceeds generated from the Business & Philanthropy Hall of Fame Gala supports a scholarship fund that provides annual scholarships to students to continue their program of studies in the Shannon School of Business at Cape Breton University.
Since its inception in 2002, more than $100,000 has been awarded to over 100 business students.

Event sponsors

  1. 2021

    • Brian Shebib (Business Hall of Fame)
    • Annette Verschuren (Philanthropy Hall of Fame)

    2019

    • Lori and Jim Kennedy
    • Bill Mozvick
    • Shelia Gillis
    • John and Jeanne Eyking (Philanthropy Hall of Fame)

    2018

    • Tom MacDonald
    • Susan Gallop
    • The Late John Yurchesyn
    • Martin Chernin (Philanthropy Hall of Fame)

    2017

    • Joe Braunmiller
    • Dave Gillis
    • Fr. Albert Maroun & Lou Maroun (Philanthropy Hall of Fame)

    2016

    • The Late Gordon Heading
    • Gerry MacKenzie
    • Joseph Shannon (Philanthropy Hall of Fame)

    2015

    • The Late Joe Barrington
    • Bette MacDonald
    • Arnie Rudderham
    • John & Ted VanZutphen

    2014

    • The Late Duncan MacIntyre
    • Raylene Theriault
    • Edgar Samson
    • Gary Wilson

    2013

    • Carol Beaton
    • Donald Morrison
    • Robert Sampson
    • Annette Vershuren

    2011/12

    • Warren Gordon
    • Rina Gouthro
    • Steve Lewis
    • Dave MacKenna

    2010

    • Sharon Salter
    • George Unsworth
    • Richard Warren
    • Wayne Weatherbee

    2009

    • Marjorie Fougere
    • The Late Nelson Latimer
    • The Late Greg Lynch
    • Chief Terrance Paul
    • The Late Kim Wilkie

    2008

    • Martin Cherin, O.C.
    • Doris MacDonald
    • Rankin MacSween
    • The Late Sid & The Late Jean Meloney
    • The Late Hugh Tweedie

    2007

    • The Late Stephen Kavanagh
    • James Kehoe, O.N.S.
    • Dr. Alastair MacLeod
    • Allan Pace

    2006

    • Joella Foulds
    • The Late Lloyd MacDonald
    • Stuart MacLeod Jr.
    • The Late Harold Schwartz

    2005

    • Avvie Druker
    • The Late Gordon Mercer
    • The Late Bruce & Doroth Rossetti
    • The Late Irving Schwartz

    2004

    • The Late John Abbass
    • The Late Simon & Kay Haddad
    • The Late Isobel & Daniel MacAulay
    • Marven, Norris & The Late Nathaniel Nathanson

    2003

    • Evelyn Davis
    • The Late Sandy Reeves
    • Joseph Shannon
    • The Late Ethel & The Late Harvey Webber

    2002

    • The Late Mike & The Late Christine Dezagiacomo
    • John Eyking
    • The Late Joan Harriss
    • The Late Jack Yazer, O.N.S., C.M.