Marilyn Denis – Entertainment
One of the city’s most recognized television and radio personalities, multiple Gemini Award winner.
Born in Edmonton, Marilyn Denis is one of the most recognized radio and television personalities in Toronto and has been since her career began in the late 1980s.
Educated at the University of Idaho, Denis went on to become the first female radio broadcaster in Moscow, Idaho, before moving to Calgary where she worked in broadcasting as a sports and entertainment reporter. In 1986, she made the big move east to Toronto to begin her career on CHUM FM’s morning show, Roger, Rick and Marilyn, and soon became a familiar favourite with morning commuters.
In 1989, Denis began working as the host for CityTV’s lifestyle program CityLine, staying with the show for 19 years and earning back-to-back Gemini Viewer’s Choice awards for best lifestyle host in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, she won a Gemini for CityLine in the category of best host in a lifestyle/practical information, or performing arts program or series.
Marilyn is committed to many charities. An advocate for the fight against ovarian and breast cancer; Marilyn also supports and encourages organ donation and is one of the first members of the SickKids Constellation, a premier group of stars who support the efforts of the SickKids Foundation. She now resides in Rosedale with her family.
Dwayne De Rosario – Sports
Soccer player, won MLS’s MVP award in his rookie year. Canadian Soccer Association Player of the Year from 2005 to 2007.
A multi-talented athlete in his youth, Dwayne De Rosario made a career for himself out of the fancy footwork he developed while playing soccer with the Malvern Magic.
After attending Winston Churchill Collegiate, he began his professional soccer career at age 18 with the Toronto Lynx, later making the move to play in Germany part-way through his first season. After honing his game for two years in Germany, De Rosario moved back to Canada for a brief but impressive stint with the Richmond Kickers, before signing with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001. It didn’t take long before De Rosario was turning heads in the big leagues, earning himself the designation of MLS Cup MVP in his rookie season, Canadian Soccer Association Player of the Year from 2005 to 2007 and a professional record of 51 goals and 42 assists in 186 MLS games.
De Rosario is regarded as one of the league’s top talents and has recently signed with the Toronto FC for the next four seasons. Despite his skill and dedication to the game, soccer isn’t his only passion. De Rosario is happy to take time from his busy schedule to help support charity. In 2007, he travelled to the African nation of Mali to build awareness for Nothing but Nets, a charity that raises funds to provide mosquito nets and prevent malaria. Once again living in Toronto, De Rosario is a talented athlete, activist and family man.
Gordon Deval – Sports
One of the top distance fly and bait casting experts in the world, holding more than 100 national, international and world records for fishing and casting.
Recognized as one of the top distance fly and bait casting experts in Canada and around the world, Gordon Deval has held every major Canadian distance fly and bait casting title throughout his life. Now in his late 70s, he shows no signs of slowing down, authoring several books on fishing and cooking, being featured in instructional videos and serving as the president of the Scarborough Fly and Bait Casting Association, which he founded in 1985.
Holding more than 100 national, international and world records for his fishing and casting, he was also the first president of the Canadian Casting Association. As one of only 200 people to receive the prestigious Bi-Centennial Civic Award of Merit from the old City of Scarborough, Deval is now recognized again as one of Scarborough’s premier sportsmen with a permanent star on the Walk of Fame.
Having taught his craft to thousands of aspiring fisherman over the last 60 years, Deval has truly left his mark on the fishing community and the city of Scarborough.
Lois James – Environment
(d. 2019) Environmental activist worked tirelessly to create Rouge Park. Order of Canada recipient for her volunteer efforts.
When Lois James moved to Scarborough in the mid-1960s, few people had put much thought or energy into preserving the natural beauty of the Rouge. Now, largely because of her efforts, Scarborough citizens have more than 47 square kilometres of protected land, safely set aside as Rouge Park.
Born in Detroit, James was recruited as an aerologist for the United States’ military during the Second World War and developed a love for the environment through her work. She later moved to Scarborough where her late husband was working at the new University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus.
In addition to her environmental activism and decades of work spent to protect the Rouge, James also had a strong interest in politics. She ran for mayor of Scarborough in 1978 and for the Green Party in the 1988 federal election. She is a long-standing member of the United Nations Association of Canada and was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada in 2003 for her tireless volunteer efforts.
Now in her 80s, James remains active in the various community organizations she founded. Residing in the same Scarborough home she moved to years ago, Lois James is truly an environmental role model for a new generation of green thumbs.
Debra McGrath – Entertainment
Second City alum, comedienne, actress, writer, recipient of two Canadian Comedy awards with countless principle roles in Canadian television series. Currently touring with husband Colin Mochrie in Colin and Deb’s One Couple Show.
Recognized mainly for her comedic achievements, Deb McGrath has worked in many areas of the entertainment industry, ranging from big-screen movies, writing for television, voice work and children’s television to running her own production company and on-stage improvisation. Her most recent work includes a starring role as Mayor Popowitcz on CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie.
Her body of work is diverse, simultaneously making her a well-known name in the industry and showcasing Scarboroughs talent. After attending Ryerson Polytechnic University’s theatre program, McGrath was recruited to work with Toronto’s popular live comedy troupe at The Second City in 1983.
After much success on stage, she went on to hone her skills behind the scenes, writing and directing four mainstage productions at The Second City.
While there, she met her now husband, comedian Colin Mochrie. Today, McGrath enjoys spending time with her husband and son and is part of Women Fully Clothed, a Toronto-based all-female comedy team. McGrath has served as Scarborough Walk of Fame emcee for the past three years and is now being honoured with her own star for her incredible achievements in the field of entertainment.
Don Montgomery – Community
Founded first Scarborough Girls Hockey League and founding member of Indianapolis/Scarborough Peace Games. Started the J.J. Keay Hockey Tournament and Albert Campbell Memorial Hockey Series, raising more than $600,000 for hospitals in Scarborough. Mid-Scarborough Recreation Centre re-named in his honour.
After playing professional hockey and softball in the Maritimes, Don Montgomery moved to Scarborough in 1955 where he became an exemplary volunteer and friend to more than 300,000 children who were able to participate in quality minor sports teams, thanks to his efforts.
In 1962, Montgomery took on the role of coach and president of the Dorset Park Boys’ Minor Softball Association. He went on to become president of the hockey association, and one year later he found time for yet another volunteer role as director of the Scarborough Hockey Association. It was in his role at the Scarborough Hockey Association that Montgomery would have his greatest impact, becoming its president in 1967 and holding that position until his death in 2007. During this time, he founded the first Scarborough girls’ hockey league, was one of the founding members of the Indianapolis/Scarborough Peace Games, led a ladies’ fastball team to win the provincial championships and started the J.J. Keay Hockey Tournament and Albert Campbell Memorial Hockey Series, which raised more than $600,000 for hospitals in Scarborough.
For his tireless dedication and creative leadership, Montgomery has been awarded several honours, including Scarborough Citizen of the Year. He was also awarded the Ontario Medal, and in 2007 the Mid Scarborough Community Recreation Centre was renamed the Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre in his honour.