It's finally time to reveal the annual Best of Richmond where we survey our readers and ask them to rank local businesses – everything from pizza joints to hair salons.
Along with businesses and organizations, we also love to highlight Richmondites who make a difference in the community and who make the city strong. Some you may have heard of, others maybe not. Either way, their contribution towards building a healthy, vibrant community has been invaluable. Each day this week, we will introduce three of these people to you.
Rich Dillon
Chances are you’ve seen Rich Dillon around town over the past three decades or so. This McRoberts Striker exemplifies Richmond’s traditional nose-to-the-grindstone mentality.
He started working as a teen at Dairy Queen and moved on to a junior management position at the Richlea Square Safeway, while attending nursing school. Dillon furthered his significant mark in the community when he was hired to work in the emergency room of Richmond Hospital.
“I have had the privilege of working in various exciting roles, such as in the emergency department and most recently as the Clinical Director for the Richmond Hospital Redevelopment Project, although my most memorable moments at the hospital were the birth of my two kids,” said Dillon.
He’s since moved his family out of Richmond, but not off Lulu Island, so there’s an argument to be made he’s still with us 24/7.
“I continue to work and play here today!” said Dillon, who is now director of client relations and risk management at Richmond Hospital.
What does that position mean? Well, put it this way. He’s the one (among others) letting everyone know how badly Richmond needs a new tower — and persistence has paid off, as we’ve recently seen.
“While I wouldn’t say I ever ‘loved’ school, I have always enjoyed learning and as such decided to enroll in an MBA program for which I will graduate this August,” said Dillon.
How do you stay healthy in Richmond?
The family and I certainly spend as much time outside and at the local parks, but as far as fitness goes, I try to get to the Steve Nash gym at least 3 mornings a week.
What’s your favourite Richmond park?
It has to be Terra Nova Adventure Playground. The kids sleep well after going there!
What’s top of your bucket list?
It has to be traveling to Bora Bora and staying in one of those over water bungalows.
What’s your favourite food?
Definitely sushi.
What do you like best about Richmond?
It’s flat and so it’s easy to ride a bike. Kidding. It has to be the cultural diversity and learning the traditions of others.
If Richmond was a celebrity, who would it be?
Finn, the Canucks mascot?! There’s great whale watching tours from Steveston.
What’s your favourite sports team?
One word. Seahawks.
Best place to take an out-of-town guest?
Steveston.
What other city would you compare Richmond to?
Richmond’s one of a kind. Nothing compares.
Keegan Varley
Keegan Varley is a friendly young man that always has an extra smile to share with you. Born in Richmond and graduated from Hugh Boyd, Keegan has enjoyed exploring the local spots with his three siblings, becoming quite the local himself. A dynamic individual, he has grown up riding horses and playing many sports over the years through Special Olympics BC, continuing to play floor hockey, baseball, bowling, practice martial arts, track and field, and swim.
Over the winter of 2017 Keegan, his big brother Zach and his mom Lynn teamed up to launch a series of greeting cards based on Keegan's drawings. What started with a holiday craft fair has carried on into a fun and exciting project for the trio, fuelled by an incredibly positive response from the community. His cards are now being stocked in various stores around Vancouver!
Keegan lives in Steveston and spends his days volunteering with the RCMP, The Vancouver Aquarium and The Richmond Animal Protection Society. He recently participated in his second theatrical production with his friend and roommate Stephen. Keegan says, “I like to keep fit by attending track and field, martial arts, floor hockey, baseball, swimming, and bowling. My homie Stephen…and I regularly visit the Thompson Community Centre to pump serious amounts of iron.”
Keegan continues to draw and hopes his cards make people happy.
What’s your favourite restaurant or place to grab a snack in Richmond?
Takeya Sushi in Seafair.
What’s your favourite Richmond park?
Terra Nova
What’s on top of your bucket list?
Tour all the Water Parks in Canada and the USA
What’s your favourite food?
Cadbury Caramel Chocolate
What do you like best about Richmond?
Walking or biking on the dyke and taking in the beautiful scenery.
If Richmond was a celebrity, who would it be?
Jackie Chan
What’s your favourite sports team?
Toronto Blue Jays
Best place to take an out-of-town guest?
Either Dave's Fish and Chips or Pajo's Fish and Chips in Steveston Village.
What other city would you compare Richmond to?
New York City
Lynda Pasacreta
Lynda Pasacreta retired from a career in sales, marketing, promotion and customer service in 2012. Her last hurrah as president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of British Columbia was a great jumping off point for finding a peaceful and healthy retirement lifestyle.
Fairly soon after retiring, Pasacreta joined the Richmond Garden Club, signed up as a volunteer to work in the gardens at Paulik Park and applied to the City of Richmond to restore a small traffic round about located close to home.
Fast forward six years, Pasacreta is now the president of the Richmond Garden Club which has grown substantially in members in the last few years. Partnerships have been established with Richmond Food Security Society, Terra Nova Sharing Farm, City of Richmond along with other groups. The collective focus has been to educate and demonstrate best practices in protecting our environment and beautifying the community.
Through Pasacreta’s initiatives and countless volunteer hours, the Richmond Garden Club has increased its profile in the community through gardening activities in Paulik Park, the little urban rooftop garden at Richmond Cultural Centre, development of a meditation garden at St Alban Anglican Church, refurbished flower container beds on the Steveston boardwalk for Steveston Harbour Authority.
How do you stay healthy in Richmond?
Daily heavy duty gardening in my own garden and many other gardening projects related to the Richmond Garden Club. Walking an hour every day.
What’s your favourite Richmond park?
Our very own signature park, Paulik Park, adopted by the Richmond Garden Club in 2008.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
Going on an extended family cruise - our kids and their kids.
What’s your favourite food?
South Asian
What do you like best about Richmond?
Close to the healthy air of the ocean, more sunshine, great City of Richmond staff who have environmental issues top of mind.
If Richmond was a celebrity, who would it be?
Jane Goodall
What’s your favourite sports team?
Vancouver Canucks
Best place to take an out-of-town guest?
Steveston Village
What other city would you compare Richmond to?
Amsterdam
Along with these profiles, more than 6,000 people ranked companies in four categories: Food & Entertainment, Shopping, Services and Health & Fitness this year. This week, we will share the winners of one category each day. Today, it’s Food & Entertainment, which can be found here.
See the full, digital version of our special Best of Richmond edition here.
