On November 1th, 2002, the Golden Jubilee Medal was presented to Paul Tuerr by local MP Andrew Telegdi, acting on behalf of Canada’s Governor General. This medal is awarded to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to Canada, to their community, or to their fellow Canadians. The medal was created for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, to mark the 10th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty to the Throne on February 6th, 1952.

The specific purpose of the award is to honor those who have demonstrated, by their leadership, the responsibilities that come with citizenship in a nation like Canada. Through his lifetime achievements, his sacrifices, his dedication to his family, friends, the German Canadian community, and in particular to Canada -- his chosen home, Paul Tuerr can proudly serve as a worthy example of those who have been honored by the Golden Jumilee Medal.

Paul who incidentally celebrated his own 50th business anniversary a few years ago came to Canada in 1948. Like thousands of other immigrants from a war ravaged Europe, he had no English and no capital, but had determination and a proven willingness to work hard and take risks. He displayed the classic Twentieth Century pioneer spirit by starting his own construction company only one year later. After challenging beginnings so typical of many start-up businesses, a growing reputation for quality helped his company prosper. Over the years his company built plazas, industrial buildings, apartments and family homes, in a total area of more than 1000 acres in Waterloo Region. Paul Tuerr Construction has become a well known and respected name in the Kitchener Waterloo area.

Despite the success Paul enjoyed in business, and his stature as a popular German Canadian entrepreneur and community leader, he never forgot his roots or his heritage. He was born in 1920 in Miletitsch, Batschka Region, Yugoslavia, where his father worked as a contractor. As a youngster Paul quickly learnt the importance of working hard and studying with a purpose. To gain a professional education he moved to Germany. With little money, but with talent and commitment, Paul earned enough grants to begin his engineering studies in Stuttgart. His studies were interrupted by the Second World War. Paul endured extreme hardship during and after the war and then managed to complete his studies and start his first job as an engineer. However, Paul soon realized that a country like Canada would offer him a better future.

Recalling these roots and heritage, Paul Tuerr actively supported other German Canadian immigrants and German Canadian cooperations since his early days in the country. Paul is and has been a board member, president, or vice president for many German Canadian businesses and professional and cultural associations. Among his many projects Paul was instrumental in the relocation and survival of the flagship Concordia Club, where he is a lifetime honorary member. He was responsible for the restoration and subsequent dedication of the Strassburg Pioneer Cemetery to the City of Kitchener. Paul provided critical support to Kitchener’s Thumb Print Monument, and served the community as publisher of Newsday, a weekly newspaper in Kitchener.

The Golden Jubilee Medal represents commemoration and recognition of individual and community effort and is a perfect gift to honor Paul Tuerr, the man, the heritage, and the community. It is based on those same qualities that Canada will move successfully into the future.