January 21, 2026: “Oh, I remember it well. The official date was January 21, 1961. That was the day that Rod Holmes joined the Rotary Club of West Ottawa and everything began to change.” Words from our District Governor, Graeme Fraser, as he congratulated Rod on sixty-five years of service, fellowship, and heart. The Rotary Club of West Ottawa proudly celebrates Rod on an extraordinary anniversary of Rotary service.
Sixty-five years of Rotary service is more than a milestone, though: it is a lifetime of showing up, contributing, and helping shape the soul of a club.
The Rotary Club of West Ottawa proudly congratulates Rod Holmes on 65 years as a Rotarian, a remarkable journey that began in January 1961 and continues to resonate through our fellowship today.
Over the decades, Rod has played a unique and enduring role in West Ottawa Rotary. He has been both a guardian of our history and a creator of our culture, ensuring that our story was not only preserved, but also joyfully lived.
Rod’s commitment to documenting the club’s legacy is extraordinary. He served as Managing Editor, and led the text design and page layout for Fifty Years of “Service Above Self”, the official history marking the club’s first half-century. He also maintained and revised the club roster for many years, quietly safeguarding an accurate record of our members, classifications, and continuity across generations. Thanks to Rod’s care and attention, our past remains accessible, meaningful, and connected to our present.
At the same time, Rod helped shape the day-to-day spirit of the club in a very different, but equally important way: through music.
For decades, Rod has been a familiar presence at the piano, leading songs, accompanying anthems, and reminding us that Rotary fellowship is meant to be joyful. His musical leadership has been a constant thread through weekly meetings and special occasions, and he has long been the driving force behind the club’s Christmas music tradition, bringing warmth, humour, and connection to our holiday gatherings year after year.
Together, these contributions tell a beautiful story. Rod didn’t just record Rotary history; he helped create the moments worth remembering. He ensured that the Rotary Club of West Ottawa would be a place where service is taken seriously, but fellowship is never forgotten.
Across six and a half decades, Rod Holmes has embodied what it means to live Service Above Self: quietly, generously, and with heart. We thank him for the music, the memories, the meticulous care, and the countless ways he has shaped who we are as a club.
Congratulations, Rod, on 65 extraordinary years of Rotary service.