Tribute to Sidney R. Sharman
1921 to 2014
St. John Society (British Columbia and Yukon), doing business as St. John Ambulance, gratefully recognizes and pays tribute to Sid Sharman who died on April 18, 2014 in Nanaimo. He was a well-known philanthropist who supported many not-for-profit health-care organizations.
In April 2006 Sid Sharman donated $1 Million to St. John Ambulance British Columbia creating the Sidney R. Sharman Legacy Fund which:
Encourages and supports St. John youth volunteers in BC, trained in leadership and care giving as medical first responders (currently 788 volunteers), by granting annual scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education in health related professions.
Encourages and supports St. John community volunteer youth divisions and therapy dog programs throughout 25 branches located in BC and The Yukon.
From 2007 to 2014, 93 Sidney R. Sharman Legacy Fund Scholarships have been awarded to St. John Ambulance youth and young adult volunteers pursuing post-secondary education.
Each of the 25 St. John branches receives an annual grant from the Sidney R. Sharman Legacy Fund in support of youth volunteers graduating from the Medical First Responder programs and Therapy Dog volunteer community service programs.
That legacy lives on and many more will benefit in the future.
Mr. Sharman was a leading force in the building of St. John House, the S. R. Sharman Centre, in Nanaimo.
He was truly devoted to Nanaimo and demonstrated this through his commitment to his community. Nanaimo will forever be indebted to Sid Sharman.
He was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his life-long support to volunteer organizations.
Thank you Sid, rest in peace.
Jean K. Chute, CStJ
Chair, St. John Society (British Columbia and Yukon)
Merv W. Unger, OStJ
Chair, St. John Foundation (British Columbia and Yukon)