Bear whisperer, family man, wildfire fighter and first response hero - Larry McHale has accomplished more than the average Joe in the past 35 years.
McHale's dedication to going "above and beyond" to help anyone in need was recognized last week when Premier Gordon Campbell and Lieutenant Governor Steven Point awarded the Squamish resident and 47 others with the BC Community Achievement Award at Government House in Victoria on April 28.
"These forty-seven individuals exemplify the characteristics and accomplishments of British Columbians who have helped shape our province," said Campbell during the ceremony. "They are citizens from all over the province whose contributions, leadership and inspiration have helped make British Columbia one of the best places to live in the world."
McHale, who retired on Saturday (May 1), has served the District of West Vancouver for over 35 years, many of them as supervisor of forestry and trails.
It's not his first time being recognized, as his living room walls, which are covered with awards, certificates and photos, will attest.
Wife Linda, mother Norma and his two sons, Randy and Mitchell, joined him for the award presentation. He said he had no idea he was being nominated.
"The presentation was absolutely incredible," he said. "So much more than we expected and I couldn't think of a nicer way to retire than getting something like that."
A Squamish resident for over 31 years, McHale has commuted to work every day. Linda calculates her husband has spent six years in commuting hours, but he said he has no regrets.
"I love Squamish," he said. "To live here is more than worth it."
Friend and colleague, West Vancouver arborist Krista Braathen, nominated McHale for the award after he responded to her call for help from a park when she was afraid of approaching a man she believed was in distress. It turned out the man had hung himself.
McHale maintained his composure throughout the ordeal, she said.
"Anyone that goes and deals with stuff like that deserves to be rewarded. I knew he was retiring in the next six months and wanted to find some official way to recognize him."
McHale's commute also caused him to be a first responder to a variety of accidents on the Sea to Sky Highway, which also played into his nomination.
"Larry has come across numerous hazardous situations and has saved lives of colleagues and other citizens during his regular work day, after hours and during his drive home at the end of the day," stated Braathen in her nomination letter.
"Larry is always here to help and never asks for credit; it is just simply his manner to assist. He is an extraordinary man who exemplifies leadership as a civil servant and as an outstanding citizen."
As supervisor of forestry and trails, McHale manages a fire suppression crew, deals with beach and trails maintenance and also responds to all the wildlife situations in the area, namely black bear management. He also works with the North Shore search and rescue service.
He is known as a pioneer in British Columbia for his urban black bear management techniques. Nicknamed "the bear whisperer," he learned his humane techniques of dealing with bears by speaking to them through interpretation of their body language.
He had to overcome the fear instilled in him after being charged and almost killed by a grizzly bear in the Yukon. A few years later, his role in the West Vancouver district included interaction with black bears.
McHale began using a technique he learned from wildlife biologist Ben Kilhem.
"You learn to read a bear - what mood he's in, what he's going to do and where he's at in his head," said McHale.
He has taken over 300 bear calls in a three-month period and is on call 24 hours a day.
McHale's last week at work was also busy with retirement parties and luncheons. His colleagues made him posters and even gave him farewell gifts in wrapping paper made of photos of him.
