Uxbridge scout honoured at council meeting

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Giancarlo Leofanti, centre, receives recognition for saving his grandmother’s life. Pictured here with family members, Scouting leaders, Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, Port Perry Mayor Wilma Wooten, and Regional Councillor Bruce Garrod. Photo by Jennifer Gowland

Uxbridge scout honoured at council: Giancarlo Leofanti, a member of the 1st Uxbridge Scouts, was honoured at Monday’s council meeting for his quick action in saving his grandmother's life.

Council heard how Leofanti performed the Heimlich maneouvre on his grandmother, Margherita, when she was choking while they were having dinner together. The pair were alone at the time, as Leofanti’s parents were away at the time. Leofanti didn't tell his parents about the incident until a couple of days later. (Parents Riccardo and Johanne wrote the Cosmos a Letter to the Editor about the incident, which was published in the Feb. 26 edition.)

The scout was presented with certificates of recognition by Mayor Dave Barton and by Mayor Wilma Wotton of Scugog and Scugog Ward 5 Councillor Terry Coyne. (The Leofantis live just inside the Scugog boundary but are close to Uxbridge.)

In addition, Cadence James, Scouts Canada's National Youth Commissioner, came from Ottawa to award Scouts Canada's Medal for Meritorious Conduct.