Gordon Cressy is a walking, talking civics lesson. His work over the years has been a driving force in making Toronto what it is today - a city that takes top spots globally in livability rankings for diversity, inclusivity, and tolerance. Few know just how many lives he has had or the immense behind-the-scenes contributions he has made to the fabric of Canadian society. Through his stories, Gordon's life unfolds as a fish-out-of-water tale of a kid from North Toronto ending up in the Caribbean and transforming lives, including his own. It is also a story about youth and growing up. It is a story about giving. But it is ultimately the story of the people who made Toronto the community it is today. -Tony Wong