LAURIE WEIR

He always has a smile and a wave, through any kind of weather.

If you’ve ever driven through Smiths Falls during school hours, chances are you smiled and waved right back at him.

Gary Lackey, recognized on his retirement for 15 years of service as a crossing guard, accepted an Asset Builder Award from the Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative during the June 25 regular meeting of Lanark County council.

“Today, we honour the asset builders who have dedicated their time, resources and energy to making a difference in the lives of children and youth,” the Collaborative stated during its presentation. “Your work does not go unnoticed.”

The award recognizes individuals, businesses or groups who make a lasting impact on children and youth through mentorship, encouragement and support.

For Lackey, now 73, the job became more than just a routine. But with more traffic and years on his feet, he said it was time to hang up his stop sign.

“It makes you feel great,” he said of the recognition. “I know people say it’s nice that I wave and smile, but I feel terrific when I get a wave and a smile back. It makes my day.”

He said he enjoyed going out every morning and afternoon for the kids. “It became a bit of a hobby for me. I made a lot of great friends over the years. I know a lot of people. I was walking with the mayor one day and he said, ‘You know, Gary, more people know you than know me.’”

Lackey was most recently stationed at the corner of Brockville and Ross streets for St. Francis de Sales Catholic School. Before that, he covered the intersection near St. James, now St. Luke’s Catholic High School.

He was the last crossing guard at the corner for the old St. James school, and the first at the intersection for the new St. Francis school.

“Wednesday was always Mickey Mouse Day,” he said, describing a tradition where he wore a single Mickey Mouse glove to make kids smile. “It was hump day. Let’s get the week over with and have a good time.”

If he didn’t wear the glove, the kids asked why. If rain looked likely, the glove stayed at home.

Lackey retired once before, after 37 years as a stationary engineer and maintenance mechanic. But then he started working the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, then returned to Smiths Falls to spend a short time at Blair and Son Funeral Home detailing vehicles. He said there was never much of a break between jobs.

“Then I picked up the crossing guard job,” he said, and left the others behind.

He knew when it was time to step back.

“I was 57 when I called it quits at the hospital. Now at 73, I knew it was time to retire from the crossing guard job, too. I want to spend more time with my better half and maybe do some travelling.”

Over those 15 years, Lackey only ever called in sick once.

“We used to take some time off in February and go to Florida,” he said. “One year, our daughter was getting messages asking if I was OK because people didn’t see me on the corner.”

When word of his retirement spread, tributes poured in online. Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow was one of the first to recognize him publicly.

“The crossing guard with the brightest smile and biggest wave handed in his stop sign and retired after his final shift,” Pankow wrote on June 26. “After 15 years of keeping our kids safe and bringing smiles, waves and honks from hundreds of people every school day, Gary’s warm welcomes will be missed by everyone whose day was brightened by this wonderful community ambassador. Thank you, Gary, for making sure the kids got to and from school safely and for bringing a smile to so many, so often and for so long.”

The community echoed that praise.

“A smile and wave from Mr. Lackey on my way to work was the best way to start the day,” said Karen Lewis Koluk.

A former student who is now a graduate stopped him at the grocery store for a photo. Others still drive by and call out their greetings.

“It made me feel young again, which helps,” Lackey said.

Even a long-haul trucker from Georgia once pulled over on Brockville Street to check in on him after not seeing him for a few weeks.

“He said he really missed the wave coming through town,” he said. But it was OK, as he and his wife, Bonnie, made the trip to Florida for a February get-away.

During his final week, students offered hugs, high-fives and thank-you cards.

“It was just a great joy for me to be there. I really loved being out on the corner.”

Lackey Bonnie recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 17. They now live in Settlers Ridge, adjusting to apartment living after decades of owning their own home.

They have two daughters, Erin and Jenn, and four grandchildren.

Erin and her husband Don Neil live locally with their children, Jacob and Abby. Jake is studying broadcasting at Toronto Metropolitan University and hopes to become a sports announcer. Abby is in Grade 11 in Kingston.

Jenn and her husband Ryan Peters live in Smiths Falls with their children, Emily and Liam. Emily competes in rodeo events including barrel racing, while Liam plays competitive hockey as a goalie.

“We’re out watching the kids whenever we can,” Lackey said. “Now I don’t have to be anywhere at 9 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon. I can just enjoy it.”

Both Gary and Bonnie are retired hospital workers. When their daughters were growing up, they often missed sporting events like curling due to their shift work. They now make a point of attending as many of their grandkids’ events as possible.

They’ve also taken up camping, and Lackey said he’ll likely find another way to volunteer. But come September, he expects to take a bit of a break as he said he doesn’t want to be reminded what he’s missing when that school bell rings.