Troy Killick has always valued community service, a trait he attributes to his upbringing and the influence of his father-in-law.
After spending several years in Toronto, Killick, born and raised in St. Catharines, returned to Niagara to take over his father-in-law's wealth management practice, a decision that also eventually led him to join the Rotary Club of Fonthill.
“Michelle's dad was one of the longest-standing members of Rotary in the Welland Club,” Killick explained. “His involvement with Rotary inspired me to get involved too.”
“It's a bit of a family legacy,” he said.
It was also an alignment of values. Referring to the club's Four Way Test, which asks if something is true, fair to all concerned, builds goodwill and better friendships, and is beneficial for all concerned, Killick said, “Those things are really important to me because it's really a mantra of life.”
“Showing my kids how to be involved in the community is really important,” he added.
Killick chose the Rotary Club of Fonthill due to its proximity to his home. “It just made more sense for me to be involved with the Fonthill club,” he said.
His participation in the club has been extensive. “I try to be involved in all the major functions, especially on the fundraising side.”
He has participated in numerous events, including Family Farm Fest, Mud Fest, butterfly gardens, trash cleanups, and the Great Lakes cleanup, to name a few.
From 2022 to 2023, Killick served as the club president, a role that kept him active in nearly all aspects of the organization. “The emails fly fast and furious,” he joked, reflecting on the busy nature of the position. However, he found the experience rewarding, as it helped him establish strong community ties and stay informed about local happenings.
Among the many causes supported by the Rotary Club, Killick is particularly passionate about environmental initiatives. He cited the club's recent tree giveaway for Earth Day as an example. “And just helping people in general,” he added.
Killick emphasized the importance of the connections formed through the club. “I think that’s really important because it helps bind the community together versus just having a bunch of people living in close proximity,” he said.
One small community-building project he is participating in, is the creation of a “small” lending library.
“It should be pretty cool. It's actually massive but it's a pretty neat thing. We were proud because the my daughters helped build it a bit too.”
He also appreciates the Rotary Club's international efforts, such as their polio eradication and clean water projects.
Additionally, Killick values the camaraderie within the club. “There are a lot of people who bring interesting perspectives different from mine. I like that. I like to be challenged, to see different points of view, and to see what different people can bring to the table.”
