“A jack of all trades who can fix just about anything.”
That’s how Jake Dilts is described by his fellow Fonthill Lions, a club he has faithfully served for 44 years.
In an addition to being a talented handyman, Dilts has been treasurer of the club for 40 years. He keeps a tight rein on spending, and is the organization’s main contact with Town staff, keeping abreast of changes to lottery licenses, health regulations, smart-serve policies, and insurance updates.
Dilts is very involved with the local Legion as well, in the role of first vice president. A member since 1977, he looks after stocking the bar, and tallying up the receipts. He also was on the board of the Pelham non-profit apartments for many years, and works closely with Trout Unlimited concerning the creek that runs between the Lions clubhouse and Pelham Cares on Highway 20.
“I’m Fonthill born and raised,” said Dilts. “I was in steeplejack work when I first started out, and went from that to hydro utility work. I retired in 2000.”
You can find him on a daily basis at the Fonthill Legion and Lions clubhouse, giving back to the community.
“I started volunteering when I was young, encouraged by my dad, who always liked to help out on town projects.”
Dilts got his private pilot license in 1953, and served as the chairman of fundraising for the 67th Air Cadets in Welland.
“I learned to fly on an old DeHavilland Canuck, a small monoplane you could land on a postage stamp. Dorothy Rungeling was my instructor on that aircraft,” he said.
Married 68 years to Patricia, Dilts will celebrated his wedding anniversary on May 12. The couple has two grown daughters, living in Alberta and Maryland.
A regular at the Pelham Farmers Market on Thursdays, Dilts can usually be found helping out at the Lions food trailer. He even served as the clerk of the Farmers Market for a dozen years.
“We have a good crew there….a fine bunch of people,” he said.
Dilts has been blessed with good health that has carried him into his octogenarian years.
“I’ve had a great life,” he said. “I've always enjoyed what I do. My knees get sore once in a while, but at age 88 they still work,” he said with a laugh.
Lions International, which has been providing humanitarian service for 100 years, is composed of 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members, making it the world’s largest service club organization. To learn more about the two Pelham chapters, see www.fonthilllions.ca/contact/join-the-club or www.fabulousfenwicklions.org/contact-us
