Two notable Deltans are receiving one of the highest awards in the land for constantly putting others before themselves and building up the professions in which they served.
Dr. Jack Taunton, one of the founders of the Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run, and chef Bruno Marti, have been named as Members of the Order of Canada.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced the names June 27, with the two among 64 people across, the country, including singer Avril Lavigne, receiving the award.
Both Taunton and Marti received KinVillage’s 7 over 70 awards last year.
“The Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada or who have brought honour to our country abroad,” Simon said.
“As we progress towards an Order that is reflective of Canada’s full diversity, I encourage all Canadians to nominate individuals who inspire them, from all walks of life and backgrounds.
“Congratulations to the new appointees and thank you to the nominators who cast a spotlight on their achievement, purpose and exceptional talent,” Simon said.
Taunton is described by the Governor General’s office as, “an early leader in sport and exercise medicine,” noting that he’s professor emeritus at UBC, an active fundraiser and helped found SportMedBC and the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute.
Taunton also served as the medical officer for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, in Seoul 1988, and in Barcelona in 1992, according to UBC’s School of Kinesiology. He was also chief medical officer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000; and at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics. He served as team physician for the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Canadian men’s and women’s national field hockey teams.
He’s still active today as well, says UBC and is still involved with the Vancouver Sun Run and runs injury-prevention studies and raises public awareness about public health issues.
Marti is the retired owner of La Belle Auberge restaurant, which was located in Ladner Village, which he ran for three decades.
“He is lauded for his leadership in gastronomy on the world stage. He has mentored Canadian chefs for over four decades and has coached and led teams in international competitions, including the Culinary Olympics,” says the Governor General’s office.
Marti, 83, also was previously awarded the Order of B.C.
His granddaughter Jessa Marti, said Bruno’s energy is inspiring. This February, he helped coach the junior national team at the Culinary Olympics in Germany, and in October, goes to Budapest and Singapore for coaching and judging and is still helping out at Vancouver Community College. “He really doesn’t slow down. He’s go, go, go,” Jessa said.
He also ran La Belle Auberge in Ladner Village for 33 years. “I think a big part of it was just the fact he was there, probably anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day,” Jessa said.
“Passion. He just really loved what he did and he worked really hard. He loved cooking and he loved bringing good food to people,” Jessa said.
He also loved Ladner and has been living here for the last 18 years, she added.
“He just gave his whole life to what he did and what he loved and it shows, so,” she said.
According to KinVillage, which named him as one of its 7 over 70 in 2023, Marti came to Canada from Switzerland and worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, and then later, was manager of catering for CP Air.
He remains team adviser for Community Catering Team Canada. and is a former coach and judge for Chefs Canada, a national organization that promotes Canadian cuisine.
He also helped create the Canadian Certified Master Chef program and was founder of the honour society for the Canadian Culinary Federation.
He’s also served as the president and chairman of the Canadian Culinary Federation and is founder of the BC Culinary Arts Foundation.
He’s also received the Queen’s Jubilee Award and has been inducted into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame.
The Order of Canada was created in 1967 on Canada’s centennial. The date for the investiture ceremony will be announced later.
