Chuck Wilson, center, recipient of this year's Ralph Gould Award for Citizenship, with his wife Alice, left, and Town Council Chairman Anne Swift-Kayatta. (photo by Debra Lane)

In recognition of more than 40 years of constant and varied service to the community, Former Cape Fire Chief and former Zoning Board Chairman Chuck Wilson was honored Monday with the Town's Ralph Gould Award for Citizenship.

"As in other years, we also note that this award is clearly long overdue," said Council Chairman Anne Swift-Kayatta, just before presenting Wilson with a plaque in honor of his service.

The Ralph Gould Award was established in 1986 to recognize those who provide community service in the same spirit as Ralph Gould, the award's namesake and first recipient.

Wilson began his long service to the Town just after moving to Cape Elizabeth, when he joined the fire and rescue departments. It didn't take long for the established Cape Elizabeth families that populated the departments to recognize and respect Wilson's leadership ability. He became chief in 1977 and served also as deputy chief from 1980 to 1987.

"Yet, Chuck's service was not exclusive to just the rescue Company and the balance of the fire department," said Swift-Kayatta. "He served five years on the Zoning Board of Appeals including two years as chairman. He was secretary of the Civil Service Commission during a busy period for that group. He was president of the Cape Elizabeth Jaycees and founded their very popular 'Cape Days', which led to the current Family Fun Day.

"Chuck served on the municipal facilities committees which eventually led to new public works, police and fire facilities in the late 1990's. Recently he served as chairman of the Cape Elizabeth Refuse Study Committee and is the only non-RWS board member on the search committee for the new RWS General Manager. He has also been a valued member of the Cape Elizabeth tax cap task force this past year."

Wilson graciously accepted the plaque, but said in reality the award should go to Alice, his wife of 39 years. It was she who stayed home with two children while he was out at all hours filling the myriad duties of a fire chief and volunteer. "I think it's because she really understood the importance of giving back to the community," Wilson said, a value which he learned from his parents at an early age.

"I did a lot of these things because they were the right thing to do," Wilson said. "It's an honor to contribute to the town, and I appreciate the recognition," he said.

Wilson has also served in a number of positions that have focused on the youth of our community. He is a past president of the Cape Elizabeth Hockey Association, a former Cape Elizabeth Little League Coach, and was a corporator of the Portland Boys Club.

He has served as well beyond Cape Elizabeth as a Director of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, as a Director of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, as an officer of the Maine Grocers Association, as a director of the Maine Economic Research Institute and was a longtime member of the South Portland city manager's Business Council.

All of this has been in addition to his working career with Hannaford Bros., where he was also a standout. During his 31 years with the company he led their insurance and safety efforts, directed their warehouse operations, and served as vice president of government relations.

"This review has listed many responsible positions that Chuck has held that clearly have taken much of his time over the years," said Swift-Kayatta. "Yet the full listing does not convey the complete Chuck Wilson. Those that know him best think first of his integrity. They also quickly recall his business acumen, his pursuit of fairness, his belief that there is always a better way to accomplish a task, his willingness to speak out on unpopular issues and to respect other opinions, and the great sacrifices that he has made for others," she said.

Wilson is the 15th citizen to receive the award. Given the commitment to community service prevalent in Cape Elizabeth, Swift-Kayatta said it is a testament to this year's honoree that his qualifications truly stand above the rest.

The presentation, made at Monday's Town Council meeting, followed a reception for Wilson. The Town is grateful to Hannaford for providing refreshments at the reception.