NBFSC 35th Anniversary Wall of Fame
On Saturday March 4, 2017, the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs celebrated its 35th
Anniversary Wall of Fame at the Atlantic Host Inn in Bathurst, NB.
The Wall of Fame was first created in 2007 during our 25th Anniversary festivities. This event saw 25
deserving volunteers celebrated and inducted to the NBFSC's prestigious Wall of Fame permanently on
display at the Atlantic Host Inn. These inductees are chosen from a large group of volunteers who have
given much of their time and strengths to organized snowmobiling in New Brunswick. The NBFSC felt
strongly that these individuals needed to be recognized.
In 2012, the NBFSC inducted five more members, which brings us to the 2017 celebrations. This year's
event included the return of past inductees, the NBFSC Board of Directors and staff, Corporate Partners,
current inductees as well as their families and friends.
The 2017 Wall of Fame Inductees are:
Leo Gallant - Member of the Rogersville Snowmobile Club.
Leo Gallant volunteers his time for one of the NBFSC’s smallest and oldest – Club #14 - Member
Clubs in the NBFSC trail network. Rogersville’s Club forms a critical link in the trails on the
eastern side of N.B. by connecting NBFSC Trail #52 the major north-south Provincial Trail. Leo
has always been there to ensure there were trails in his community by serving as the VicePresident for 5-years and more recently as the Club President for now 10-years. Leo is most
satisfied when he is working on the trails and is very pleased that such a small club keeps up
with their responsibilities for trail grooming. His greatest satisfaction would be realized the day
when they could afford a new Trail Groomer.
Personally he has snowmobiled since 1971 and in those early days could be seen riding a SnoPrince. Besides having snowmobiled throughout N,B. Leo has explored many trails and regions
in Quebec. Some of his favorites have been the Gaspésie and to St. Hubert. He fondly recalls
one of these rides that took him from his home all the way to New Richmond on the Gaspésie,
a big ride in that time of over 300 km’s
Norman Gray - Member of the Carleton Borderview Trail Makers Snowmobile Club
Norman Gray is and has been a snowmobiler for almost five decades but more importantly he
has always been a volunteer, helping his community and being an integral part of his home
club, ensuring the NBFSC had a critical connection in Western NB and to the State of Maine.
Norman began snowmobiling in 1968. His first sled was a 1973 Olympique (15h.p.) and he has
owned 18 snowmobiles since then. He still actively rides about 1500 miles every season and his
largest day ever he reports to have been 330 miles. His most positive riding experience was in
1998 when he a led large snowmobile group around New Brunswick.
More importantly has been his unwavering service to organized snowmobiling. Norm’s home
club is the NBFSC’s Carleton Borderview Trailmakers Snowmobile Club. This is the only
snowmobile club Norm has ever belonged to. Since 1989 Norm has been the President of his
club for every season, except two & still is today. Almost 30 years of consecutive volunteer
service to the NBFSC is beyond commendable.
Guy Landry - Member of the ASNO Snowmobile Club
Guy Landry began snowmobiling in 1973 and his very first snowmobile was a Boa-Ski. Soon
after catching the “bug” Guy became an integral part of his snowmobiling region and for his
home club, ASNO. He served ASNO in many different positions; Groomer Operator, Director,
Fundraising Chairman, Trail Director, Secretary, Vice-President and President.
This volunteer work in his home club led Guy to be elected as the Zone 1 Director to represent
his region at the NBFSC. During the late 1990’s when the NBFSC was lobbying for mandatory
Trail Permit legislation, Guy became one of the key influencers of the day. In fact, Guy was
present the day the Federation received the verbal political will that the NBFSC would be
successful with mandatory Trail Permits.
Guy has had many ‘best experiences’ in snowmobiling, but would tell you, “working side by side
with volunteers who share the same passion for the greatest winter sport – snowmobiling - is
his best experience.
Vern Seeley - Member of the Fundy Trail Riders Snowmobile Club
Vern Seeley has been a quiet, behind the scenes, but very effective contributor to the success
of snowmobiling in New Brunswick for many, many years. He rode his very first snowmobile in
1965 and purchased his first one in 1967, a ‘Snowcruiser’. To this day, Vern is a very active trail
rider who accumulates an average of 3000 kilometers per season. His longest single trip having
been a total of 1600 km and his largest riding day ever was 450 km.
Vern served as President of his home club, the NBFSC’s Fundy Trail Riders SC and was
instrumental in its formation when this region had no snowmobile club. In 2014, Vern received
the NBFSC’s “Wallace Kenny” Award for his initiative to expand the NBFSC trail network in the
Fundy region. For many years, the province’s Fundy Trail Parkway, which hugs the rugged,
beautiful and remote coastline of the Bay of Fundy, did not allow snowmobiles. With the quiet
and polite persistence of Vern, the NBFSC now is able to show off this dramatic beauty of New
Brunswick every winter
Sandy Young - Member of the SENBSA Snowmobile Club
Sandy made snowmobiling part of his family’s life, early on and to this day with his
grandchildren. Over this time he has owned 32 snowmobiles. He began in 1975 and his first ride
was Mercury, but we all know his love affair with Arctic Cat was soon thereafter and continues
until today. Sandy has served as a volunteer for decades; member of ST. Antoine SC, Goshen SC
and as President of the SENBSA Club. At the NBFSC, he was elected as our Zone 6 and Zone 8
Director, served as Secretary, Vice-President and President of the Federation. Sandy was our
NBFSC President from 2013-2015.
Sandy considers his most important contribution to be his work to get the idea for a Grooming
Hub in the Mt. Carleton Park accepted by the Provincial and Federal Governments. AS Sandy
often is heard saying, “A bad day snowmobiling is always better than any day at Work”.